Wow! I first must applaud the team of researchers who developed the National Educational Technology Plan(NETP). There is time, work, dedication, and passion put into this plan. For it captured every aspect that we as educators need to know about technology in the schools. I must say I agree with the plan and the goals set for students and teachers throughout the plan.
The foundation of the plan was built on the principles of future vision, leadership, collaboration, capacity building, and sustainability. To break it down in a more simple form, technology is used to "improve student achievement, to build partnership, to develop leaders, and to provide opportunity for innovation and flexibility." This is a document with a future vision to transform education. The plan view technology as being a motivation to students. It engages the learner more than traditional book work and keeps their attention. This is important because now we have the ability to reach out to more students than ever before.
On the other hand, my main concern is, will technology weaken the student? Students today, myself included rely on computer programs and other tools to correct mistakes, whereas in older days, we had to manually spell check, add, subtract, etc.... Thats why I feel as educators, we must not loose the traditional approach to teaching. It is imperative that our students learn the basics and foundamentals beforw technology is used in a lesson. I strongly agree with the technology plan; however, I would definitely provide training and workshops to the teachers on the importance of teaching students fundamentals. Basically, don't let technology enable the student from learning.
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