NETP Review

The face of learning is changing with the digital age. Students are exposed to a wider variety of information sources and expected to learn using those sources. Education in the United States has the responsibility to provide learning opportunities that meet the needs of the individual students. Sit and get is no longer acceptable and teachers need training to make the necessary paradigm shift.
The National Education Technology Plan 2010 (NETP, 2010) addresses five areas of focus: learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure, and productivity. Each area plays a supporting role in the success of education.
According to the NETP, learners in today’s world look for engagement and empowerment in their learning. They are driven by interactivity and the ability to make their own choices about their learning. Collaboration allows them to interact with peers; technology allows the peers to be from across the globe. The NETP addresses the need for teachers to be trained to facilitate this type of learning. Teacher education programs and well-planned staff development provide teachers a basis for developing and implementing lessons that guide the students into the global society and expand the classroom outside of the four walls. Universal Design for Learning as stated in NETP encompasses the idea of “…providing fair opportunities for learning.” (NETP, 2010, p. 18) The fairness is addressed by the nation’s commitment to supporting the infrastructure. If the technology is available, the students will use it.
As a result, the look of student productivity takes on a new light changing from same presentation, same assignment, and same pace for each student to an individualized, collaborative, diverse view of education. The National Plan provides a strong case for restructuring with the funding caveat. It is well stated, research-based and thorough.

Office of Educational Technology, . (2010, March 05). Transforming american education: learning powered by technology. Retrieved from http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/NETP-2010-final-report.pdf