National Educational Technology Plan: Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology

The National Educational Technology Plan draft describes how the use of technology can transform today's education for learners and educators.  The NETP presents five goals in relation to learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure, and productivity.  The first goal states that all learners will have engaging and empowering learning experiences both inside and outside of the classroom.  This idea supports students' participation in our globally networked society.  The second goal states that the education system will leverage the power of technology to measure what matters.  Personally, I think educators should focus on this when making decisions on assessments.  The third goal states that educators will be supported individually and in teams by technology.  My hope is to see this goal achieved by each school district and campus.  The last two goals are related to infrastructure and productivity, stating educators will have access to a comprehensive infrastructure for learning and will take advantage of the power of technology to improve learning outcomes.  The NETP recommendations are applicable for the 21st century, but present challenges for the states, districts and federal goverment.
The plan suggests that educators shift their teaching to a model of connected teaching, meaning that educators are learning to utilize data, content and resources to create relevant learning experiences.  Within the connected teaching model, teaching is a team effort.  Teachers build learning communities online or face-to-face with fellow educators, professionals and members of the community.  This collaboration provides more options for all learners and expands teacher resources.  I firmly believe in professional learning communities and being involved in one has made my teaching more effective and innovative.  Learning from fellow teachers has molded me into a better teacher.  What the plan suggests for more effective teaching, our campus is currently doing and is has been effective.  
Determining what students need to know, how they learn and when/where they learn should be the goal for all educators.  Focusing on the students and empowering them to take control of their own learning by providing differentiated instruction and flexibility will personalize the learning experience.  Students should be exposed to different types of learning environments which include peer collaboration.  This brings about rigor and relevance, which inspires students to achieve at higher levels.  According to the NETP plan, multimedia communication should be woven into all content areas.  Using this type of techology creates learning experiences that allow them to prepare for a competitive workforce.  College and career readiness for my students is top priority.
Educators should be involved in on-going professional learning.  "Professional learning should support and develop educators' identities as fluent users of advanced technology, creative and collaborative problem solvers, and adaptive, socially aware experts throughout their careers.  Research shows that U.S. teachers have less time in their work week for professional learning than do their counterparts in countries where students have the best performance on international examinations," (Darling-Hammond, 2010).  This is an issue and our school districts must start incorporating time during the school day for professional learning.  On my campus, we are lucky to have the master schedule structured to provide this, but most school do not have this luxury.  Technology can help with the issue of time because teachers can be interactive through online systems that encourage teacher collaboration.  This idea builds a sense of community and provides a way for teachers to connect with others globally.