National Educational Technology Plan

In March of 2010 the U.S. Department of Education produced a draft outlining a plan which would set forth technology goals for state and local educational agencies to aspire toward. The draft set forth two key goals: increase the rate of students gaining a college degree from 39% to 60%, and close achievement gaps among student sub-populations. In order to achieve these goals, schools must stay in stride with the latest technalogical tools available. These tools can offer students more powerful and engaging learning opportunities. The draft include many pertinant recommendations for educational agencies. These included recommendations in areas such as teaching, learning, and professional development.
There is no doubt that all students have their own unique and individual learning styles. These styles are a result of many genetic, as well as learned factors. The 2010 draft calls for educators to use technology to more properly accomadate each students' learning style. Technology can be used to help students master many subject areas. Regradless of the subject, all students must become experts in competencies such as critical thinking, complex problem solving, and collaboration. Technology may be the best vehicle to help the 21st century student to accomplish these end.
In order for schools to effectively incorporate technology into their schools, teachers must beleive in, be trained in, and be competant in, the latest technologies, and there benefits in the classroom. The 21st century classroom, and the 21st century student will soon evolve into a place that many teachers will struggle to understand. Therefore, teacher training must evolve to fulfill these needs. Teacher training must be collaborative, coherent, and continuous. The training should stress conectivity, ad provide teachers with effective learning and teaching resources.