National Executive Summary: Technology

Hey guys. The US department of education has released their annual technology plan for 2010. You can find it on their website, www.ed.gov.

As most of you know, one of Obama's big pushes is education. Since the national department of education has recognized that technology should be pushed, it is the responsibility of the teachers to plan accordingly. This means adjusting the way we plan, assess and teach everyday.

More specifically, the plan states that our students should be learning the following components with regards to technology: Learning, Assessment, Teaching, Infrastructure, and Productivity.

To begin, learning is one of the most important components that needs attention at SDHS. There are a select number of teachers that put technology in their students' hands. The idea here is that teachers should be letting their students learn 21st century technology by allowing the students to use it. Even though this is difficult, it is very important that our students know how to use technology. The only way this can be done is if we step up and teach our students that technology is important and must be learned.

Assessment is another important component of the plan. With state and district assessments changing, our assessments need to change. Basically, we need to make a push for technology when it comes to testing our children. Students should be required to use technology when it comes to showing us what they know. Clearly, this is much easier if our students are learning though technology.

One of our strong points in the plan is using technology to teach. Obama would like teaching to be trnasformed in the 21st century. Technology from the 20th century should be replaced with that of the new. Out with the chalkboards and in with the Smartboards. Out with the agendas and in with the palm pilots. Giving a simple PowerPoint presentation is no longer technology. We need to take it a step further. Any ideas?

Our infrastructure is dated. In the plan, this component is incredibly important because efficiency is key. Administrative duties are much easier handled and more efficient if they are done technologically. With increased class sizes and less personnel, the plan promises that switching our infrastructure to a technological format is the way around all the negatives.

In general, if technology is used, the user should be more productive. This is the last component. Again, the demands in education are high in today's times and technology is the answer. Everyone must get on board with the recent and upcoming trends in technology and depend on them daily. Technology can be a way of life, not just a resource. It is our responsibility to teach our students to use it, rely on it, and it will take them far.

I'd like to publish where we currently are and what our teachers are doing technologically to a website so that our faculty can check it out. What are some things that you are currently doing with technology in your classrooms and how can your activities be improved in the future?

Technology Needs Assessment

Have you taken my survey? This survey is a needs assessment for the technology at SDHS. I'd really appreciate your input!

Click here to take survey

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Thank you for coming to my tech initiative blog. Here our committee is responsible for communicating ideas regarding technology at Stephen Decatur High School.