Journal 5 (NETS: 3 & 5 ): Harness the Power of Technology

Harness the Power of Technology
Duncan, A. (2010). Harness the power of technology. learning and leading with technology, 38 (8). Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/digital-edition-june-july-2011.aspx


This article focuses on the National Education Technology Standards.  According to Secretary of Education, A. Duncan, teachers must be ready and able to teach their students the technology needed to keep up with this ever changing world of technology.  Educational professionals must change and evolve with advanced technologies.  As a result, 5 technological standards have been developed for teachers and students.  These NETS include learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure, and productivity.  The goal of these standards is to have technology accessible to all students in all schools and to have teachers ready and eager to support the use of technology in the classroom.  According to the Secretary of Education, the Obama administration is very supportive to improving accessibility to technology in all classrooms.
I especially appreciated Duncan's reference to the point that "teachers are still the most essential part of the learning process".

How will I implement all five standards in my classroom?
Because I am an immigrant when is comes to advanced technology, I think I will focus on one or two standards at a time and "take risks" when it comes to trying new technologies such as those I am learning in this class (ED422).

Living and working in a rural community where many of our families do not have computers, internet, or very limited access to any form of technology, is the Obama's administration willing and ready to provide monies to provide technology in ALL classrooms?

In these times of budget cuts, limited resources, and increase class sizes, I feel that teachers will be very frustrated and discouraged when it comes to meet the challenges of a digital classroom.  And we can't forget that "teachers are still the most essential part of the learning process".