Learning Powered by Technology-Is This the Answer to Education Reform?

"National Ed Tech Plan Puts Technology at the Heart of Education Reform" by David Nagel summarizes President Obama administration's plan called "Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology." This is part of Obama's federal policy statement: National Educational Plan (NETP).  The main idea of the plan is to instill practices similar to businesses such as longer school days, longer school years and integrating technology totally into our educational system.

Arne Duncan, the United States Secretary of Education believes that schools integrating technology into its classrooms will improve student engagement and learning. In addition, he believes that it will instill motivation and "inspire all students to achieve, regardless of background, languages or disabilities." The plan is divided up into categories - assessment, infrastructure, learning, productivity and teaching. As I read through the categories I kept thinking to myself, "Classrooms are increasing due to less hiring of teachers due to budget cuts,  teachers are not receiving thorough training of the technology given to them because of budget cuts and is all this really necessary?" Is a blackboard, chalk, pen and paper really that detrimental to helping children learn?

I agree somewhat to what Mr. Duncan says about students' achievement regardless of their language. In an ESL classroom, technology may be helpful to work along side with my instruction in teaching the domains of English; however, I still would good teaching strategies myself in order to help my students utilize the technology to its optimum potential. Without better teaching methods, technology will not be used effectively. There is also a risk that teachers may rely too much on it in the classroom.

Basic tools such as using a pen and a notebook and raising hands instead of using a clicker should not be ruled out entirely. It is still beneficial that children learn to create their thoughts by using pen to paper and working face to face in collaborative settings with their peers. The use of technology should be used side by side with standard instruction methods.

I do like Category 5:Teaching. This is one way technology is such a beneficial tool. The fact that teachers can provide learning outside of their classrooms by way of online tutoring, connecting students with libraries, and establishing communication with students' parents is a fantastic way to assist students outside of the classroom.

Whether all of this is the magic bullet for education reform, however, still remains to be seen.