1. Read all the Articles
U.S. Schools Lag Behind in Use of Technology from USA Today 01/07/2005
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2005-01-07-schools-lag-in-tech_x.htm
This is an interesting article. I too believe educators as well as students should know how to use and implement technology. Courses and training should be made available to everyone so technology is a tool not a hassle.
National Education Technology Plan
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/plan/2004/site/edlite-background.html
A lot of things can look good in writing. I think if this plan is to work we need to find a way to introduce the technology to teachers in a less stressful way. Some teachers who have gone this long without the computers don’t know how beneficial these machines can be in their classroom. Training needs to be addressed as well. If you give the teachers a tool and don’t show them how to use it the tool will either go unused or will not be effective in a classroom. Technology is a great in the classroom but we must give our teachers the knowledge and resources needed to become successful.
NETS: National Education Technology Standards: for Students, for Teachers, and for Administrators
http://www.cnets.iste.org/
I believe we need to have these standards in place. Businesses and our communities are becoming more and more reliant on technology. Students need to be ready for this new technology and it is up to us, their educators, to prepare them for an active, functioning role in society. These standards could make a big difference in the lives of current and future students.
Don’t Just Adapt Technology, Adopt It!!!
http://www.edutopia.org/adopt-and-adapt
This article was very interesting. I now realize how much work it really takes to make a difference in the way things are taught. Simply by doing your old lessons online is still doing something old in a new way. This is a very intriguing idea to me. I do like how this article does talk about some of the ways our schools are not setup for technology use in time and in building. Some classes are only fort-five minutes long and most buildings do not have a great supply of electrical outlets.
High School.com
http://www.edutopia.org/high-school-dot-com
Wow! This is an amazing idea and opportunity. Not every student in rural areas have the luxury of having a university or community college close by. Some advanced students need an opportunity like this to excel and achieve their goals. It also presents some issues. I have been grading online classes at our university as part of my office job. You have to really regulate when students are to complete everything when teaching/taking courses online. Some people have a tendency to fall behind.
