Journal 5: Harness the Power of Technology (NET-S 3, 5)

Duncan, A. (2011, June/July). Harness the power of technology. Learning & Leading with Technology, 38(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-june-july-2011.aspx

Arne Duncan's article was a call to action for teachers to stop thinking of technology as an add on to lesson plans and rather as an essential component to them. Students learn best when they have good teachers and access to technology, not one or the other. Technology is a great way to get students who may not be traditionally interested in reading to explore other forms of online reading outside their texts. As new teachers who use the NET-S, we are there to help teachers who made be afraid of new technology. The U.S. Department of Education's five goals to advance ed tech are learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure and productivity. The government is pushing for states to raise their standards to better prepare students for work in the 21st century.

Question 1: How would creating a PLN co-inside with the Dept. of Ed's plans?

The government wants teachers to use social media to develop online personalities; their version is called Connected Online Communities of Practice. The goal is for teachers to share practices, access experts and ultimately solve problems with resources that were previously unavailable.


Question 2: What is the digital divide and how is it being addressed?
Many students in rural or urban areas or with disabilities do not have access to internet in their homes or high speed internet in their schools. Obama has set the goal for 98% of the country to have access to available broadband in the next 5 years. The FCC has also changed their E-Rates in an effort to reach more students.