Review of the National Educational Technology Plan

The 114-page National Educational Technology Plan (http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/NETP-2010-final-report.pdf) is designed to radically change the structure of America’s educational system. There are hundreds of ideas / issues within the plan that can be reviewed and written about exhaustively. I would like to focus on one theme that seemed to weave throughout the entire document: connectivity.


The plan is all about making connections. First and foremost, one of the most important principles addressed in the Plan is to connect students with the outside world. The Plan calls for learning to extend beyond the confines of the typical classroom. It cites that students need to be connected to professionals, outside resources, museums, and the community to fully understand the context of their learning. One of the Plan’s best features is that it provides several examples of what schools / school districts are currently doing to connect students with online resources, professionals, etc. These examples give readers concrete examples of how to improve their own teaching / educational performance. The Plan also mandates that teachers realize that learning has to be “On Demand.” In other words, online learning communities need to be established for students to maximize their learning.

Connecting colleges and the private sector with school districts is another element found within the Plan. The Plan notes the importance of research and calls for school districts to collaborate with colleges, universities, and the private sector to improve performance. Research done in those sectors can help instruction advance, ultimately helping American students perform better. The Plan also shows how involving the private sector in education can help students find professions that interest them. This interest can lead to added motivation for students and ultimately better their educational experience.

The Plan also details the importance of connecting teachers with students. In other words, teachers have to find ways to educate students on a personal level. Each student is different, and the Plan articulates that teachers have to find the technology that will help students progress at their particular levels.

One of the Plan’s most important features is that it addresses the need for data in education. It clearly points out that teachers and administrators need to focus on data to determine how to improve each child’s understanding of the world. It stresses that technology is in existence to help amass the data and use it to improve student performance.

The Plan also points to teachers connecting with teachers. It says in many different areas that teachers need to work with each other teachers to best improve the students' educational experiences. This means that teachers have to work with teachers in other disciplines. But it cannot just stop there. The Plan proposes that teachers work with other teachers across the country (and globe, for that matter) to assess lesson / unit plans, to create online learning / professional communities, and so on. The Plan also, smartly, talks about connecting teachers with technology through effective professional development. The rate of technology change is exponential and teachers do not have the time to keep up with it. Professional development designed to teach teachers how to use the newest, best, most innovative technology is needed.

On page 1, the plan shows why changes are needed: 24% of students drop out of school nationwide. This statistic is a tragedy. Many of the Plan’s strategies will help lower the drop-out rate. Unfortunately, there will still be drop-outs. The Plan recognizes this by setting up a system to reconnect failures with the educational system. It gives evidence from school districts across the nation (including Michigan’s Walled Lake School District) that have taken strides to reconnect failures with the educational system so that they can become more productive citizens.

Moreover, the Plan realizes that in order for America to be stronger, all of America has to be connected. This is why it is calling for areas with little or no access to the Internet be connected to the world wide web through broadband. The Plan’s intent is to leave no community behind by connecting all communities.

Overall, numerous changes have to be made in our educational system. These changes are going to require great effort by all stakeholders: teachers, administrators, community colleges, universities, businesses, museums, governments, parents, and students themselves. If the changes are made, America’s educational system will be vastly improved, drop-out rates will decline, and America will be strengthened in countless ways.

According to the NETS, the traditional concept of the classroom has to be restructured if America is going to improve its educational system.

Works Cited

United States Department of Education. (2010). National Education Technology Plan. Transforming American Education: Learning Powered By Technology. Retrieved from http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/NETP-2010-final-report.pdf.