Journal #10: Ed Tech Advocacy Issues

Goldmann, H. (2010). Ed tech advocacy issues. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20100304#pg12

Ms. Goldmann is the ISTE director of government affairs and in this article she summarized ten issues that local, state, and national policy makers must focus on when discussing the future of education.  She believes that technology in education is the common ground on which all subjects should be based off of.  As a ed tech advocate she argues that technology must be pervasive throughout all grades and subjects of the public educational system to prepare students for a college track.  Another one of her main points was training teachers so that they are technologically competent with new and emerging tools so that they can immediately apply their know how upon their acceptance of jobs.  I found this to be a relevant point as one of the pre-requisites for the CSUSM teaching credential program is ED 422.  One of the best way to improve school improvement is through the use of technology in the classroom.  However, for this new structure to work, classrooms must have computers with high speed broadband internet connections and there must be an I.T. person on campus who can support teachers when they need trouble-shooting help.  Technology is the global equalizer that will break down artificial barriers to effective learning and teaching provided that adequate measues are made to ensure the success of the education technology revolution.

What do you think the biggest imeding issue to technology in the classroom will be?
I believe that money will be the biggest issue as it almost always is.  Currently with budget cuts in California, school districts accross the state are forced to lay off numerous paraprofessionals such as I.T. personal on campuses.  When schools can't even afford basic student transportation services, I don't know where the money for computers and trained personal will come from.  This issue will effect poor urban neghborhoods much more drastically than it will suburban middle class neighborhoods, but with out a doubt no districts are free from the implications of budget cuts.  Sure enough numerous new teachers will reciecve RIFF notices this year and won't find that there is a job for them in the next year.

Is technology in education truely the most important factor for student success?
I believe that the core empasis in schooling should be on core subjects like Science, Math and English.  These subjects can be taught and taught well without the current technological advances in the rest of the world but I do believe that technology competence is also very important.  If America wishes to compete with the rest of the developed world, we must stress the importance of making technology pervasive in every subject grades K-12.  I do believe that this is the direction that the future of education is taking and even with hidrances such as budget cuts, we must try to lobby for curriculum standards for current technological education advances.