Reflection on the Draft of the National Educational Technology Plan

The draft plan of the National Educational Technology Plan lists the two major goals that have been outlined by the Obama Administration to be achieved by the year 2020. The goals are to raise the proportion of college graduates from where it now stands [39%] so that 60% of our population holds a 2-year or 4-year degree and to close the achievement gap so that all students – regardless of race, income, or neighborhood – graduate from high school ready to succeed in college and careers. To achieve these goals the NETP has set forth goals and recommendations geared towards the 21st century learner. These goals and recommendations are divided into 5 different categories including: learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure, and productivity. The plan provides a list as to what is believed to be the assumptions as to what the set-backs or issues are for the 21st century learner. The goal for learning is that all learners will have engaging and empowering learning experiences both in and outside of school that prepare them to be active, creative, knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our globally networked society. The plan continues on to outline what learning should look like and includes that all instruction should be individualized, personalized, and differentiated. I do believe in the fact that instruction should be individualized, personalized, and differentiated, but there are several topics discussed in the plan that as an educator I have an issue with. I do not believe that professionals from the government have any right outlining how people need to learn, what they should be learning, and even who needs to learn. As far as teaching is concerned the plan states that “The best way to prepare teachers for connected teaching is to have them experience it. All institutions involved in preparing educators should provide technology-supported learning experiences that promote and enable the use of technology to improve learning, assessment, and instructional practices”. I agree that we as teachers if expected to teach certain ways and topics should be trained and prepared in that area.