ED Technology Specialists

The Need For Educational Technology Training

The need for more and more teachers to possess the knowledge and skills they would acquire from taking our courses is self evident.  Educational technology is one of the fastest growing sectors of both the business and educational realms.  The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology released a report in 2017 titled “Reimagining the Role of Technology in Education:  2017 National Education Technology Plan Update”.  The report included the following findings:

• The conversation has shifted from whether technology should be used in learning to how it can improve learning to ensure that all students have access to high-quality educational experiences.
• Technology increasingly is being used to personalize learning and give students more choice over what and how they learn and at what pace, preparing them to organize and direct their own learning for the rest of their lives.
• While school and district leaders often leverage data for decision-making, many still need support and better tools so they can get real-time information on how strategies are working through rigorous, quick-turnaround evaluations of technology.
• Few schools have adopted approaches for using technology to support informal learning experiences aligned with formal learning goals.
• Supporting learners in using technology for out-of-school learning experiences is often a missed opportunity.
• Many pre-service teacher education graduates feel unprepared to use technology to support student learning as they transition to teaching and using technology effectively in the classrooms.
• Assessment approaches have evolved but still do not use technology to its full potential to measure a broader range of desired educational outcomes, especially non-cognitive competencies.
• The focus on providing Internet access and devices for learners should not overshadow the importance of preparing teachers to teach effectively with technology and to select engaging and relevant digital learning content.