With school funding in an ever dwindling condition, the mandate for wise and efficient use of education monies has never been voiced as loudly as it is now. In order for technology money to be used to benefit the students in the most positive way possible, planning must be the first and greatest priority of any state or school district. Planning must be proactive and be output based. Since technologies are evolving at a rapid pace, tech plans need to be short term (one year or so) or if they are for longer periods of time, they need to provide for annual reviews.
While the term “outcome based education” has seen its heyday in educational jargon, technology planning is a true example of looking for results first. Determinations made by groups of teachers, administrators, parents and local business people about what students will need to know and be able to do must drive the educational technology planning process. These determinations become the basis for a written technology plan which will be the basis of a school curriculum which complies with state education standards as well allows students to incorporate the use of tools which their future occupations will require. It sort of sounds like building a house, and in some ways, it is.
In some ways, technology planning can be like looking into a crystal ball trying to assess what will be the future advancements in an ever changing world. Viewers of the old Star Trek TV series laughed at the communicators and tablets used by the crew. These have become common place in our world today – who’d of “thunk” it?? Education technology plans need to be based on the best information of the day at the time they are formed with all eyes looking forward. This information can come from many outside resources, but must be tempered by the reality of budgets, physical accommodations and common sense.
Above all, an educational technology plan must look for ways to enhance instructions using new technologies. This doesn’t always mean new computers, but must be based on sound information based on well designed research. Ways to enhance instruction can include learning to use tablets, smart phones, cloud drives and video/ sound production and editing equipment. Learning to use drafting programs and others software programs will allow technology to not be taught in isolation, but rather how to put it to good use in all contents areas and show students how to work smarter, not harder. Teachers will have to work on ways to change what and how they teach only after they have become comfortable with these new technologies. This will take time and training and must be a part of every technology plan. Some will go willingly, but others may have to be dragged kicking and screaming into the future.
Ten years ago, I would never have imagined myself as an online teacher or student. Now I don’t see any formal education platform without some form of a virtual component. I worked as part of the technology committee for my school and school district for many years. I am a strong implementer of new technologies, but I don’t have the vision to see what’s coming. I have experienced the educational technology planning process from both inside and outside the final product and I am grateful for those who have that vision chose to be a part of the process – I hate meetings. One thing I do know is school districts and state departments of education must shift their thinking that forms of technology are an “add on” to education provided in schools. The cost of technologies must become part of the mainstream budget items school boards haggle over every year. These monies must be part of the everyday cost of teaching and not considered a luxury. It’s essential to our children’s future and that’s what education – in all its forms – is all about.
Citations
Anderson, L. S., & Perry, J. F. (1994, March). Technology Planning: Recipe For Success. Retrieved November 18, 2012, from National Center for Technology Planning: http://www.nctp.com/html/tp_recipe.cfm
See, J. (1992). Developing Effective Technology Plans. The Computing Teacher , 19 (8).
U.S. Department of Education. (2010). National education technology plan. Retrieved November 18, 2012, from U.S. Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov/technology/netp-2010
