Reimagining the Role of Technology in Education: 2017 National Education Technology Plan Update

Letter from the Director

Overview of the 2017 National Education Technology Plan (NETP) and rapid changes in educational technology landscape since the 2016 NETP.
Key points and recent trends in technology in education:
  - Increased access to broadband in classrooms.
  - Evolution of technology purchasing decisions within schools.
  - Emphasis on data security and digital citizenship.
  - New research about technology use among early learners.
  - Preparatory approaches for educators leading with technology.
Introduction of yearly updates to maintain relevance with the pace of innovation in education technology.

Introduction

Technology's role in education:
  - Enhances relationships between educators and students.
  - Innovates learning and collaboration methods.
  - Addresses equity and accessibility challenges in education.
  - Adapts experiences to individual learner needs.
Collaboration of education leaders, educators, policymakers, and families is essential for technology use in improving education.
Acknowledgment of Higher Education Supplement to NETP that addresses technology in higher education contexts.
This 2017 update marks the first annual update, reflecting the need to adapt as technology evolves in educational settings.

About This Plan

The NETP outlines a vision for technology in education by collaborating with experts, educators, researchers, and nonprofit organizations.
Recommendations align with the ESEA’s Activities to Support Effective Technology Use.

Recent Progress and the Road Ahead

Achievements Since 2010

Shift in focus from whether to use technology to how it improves learning.
Personalization of learning through technology.
Enhancement of understanding of successful learning factors.
Development of teacher confidence in using technology through professional learning.
Access to high-speed internet increasing nationwide.
Reduction in costs of digital devices and rise in quality educational tools.
Re-designed physical learning spaces to facilitate new learning relationships.

Future Challenges

Digital use divide:
- Need to transform how students use technology (active vs. passive use).
Better tools and support required for educators to maximize technology’s impact.
Assessment practices must evolve with technology to measure non-cognitive competencies.
Need for ongoing training for teachers on technology use.
Ensuring student data privacy and network security amidst increasing technology integration.

Learning—Engaging and Empowering Learning through Technology

Goals

Provide learners with empowering experiences through technology.
Foster connections with peers and mentors to develop expertise.

Technology-Enabled Opportunities

Examples of technology promoting learning:
  - Online courses for subjects lacking in local resources.
  - Access to mentorship for college and career planning.
  - Virtual collaboration for studying local phenomena.
  - Publishing creative work for global audiences.
  - Access to specialized communities of practice for experiential learning.

Personalized Learning Defined

Personalized Learning: Instruction tailored to learner pace and needs, focusing on meaningful, relevant content driven by students' interests.

21st Century Competencies

Core competencies include critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and multimedia communication.
Importance of non-cognitive skills like self-awareness and social skills is highlighted.

Teaching—Teaching with Technology

Goals

Empower educators through accessible technology connections and resources.

Educator Roles in Technology-Supported Learning

Teachers as co-learners who foster student agency.
Need for continuous professional development tailored to educators' technology use:
- Collaboration and peer learning networks are useful.
- Teachers require training in technology integration and data safety.

Examples of Technology in Teaching

International collaborative projects (iEARN) enhancing global citizenship.
Engaging students in community projects using technology to solve real problems.

Leadership—Creating a Culture and Conditions for Innovation and Change

Goals

Create communities for shared technology visions to assist learning.
Develop collaborative leadership and sustain technical infrastructures.

Characteristics of Effective Leadership

Leadership should involve diverse stakeholders to create a supportive technology culture.

National Initiatives

ConnectED initiative focusing on broadband access and empowering teachers and students.
Future Ready Schools engagement for district leaders to commit to technology integration.

Assessment—Measuring for Learning

Goals

Leverage technology for meaningful assessment data to enhance learning.
Reduce disruptive assessment practices with technology.

Types of Assessments

Summative vs. formative assessments: importance of ongoing feedback in educational instruction.

Infrastructure—Enabling Access and Effective Use

Goals

Ensure equitable access to robust learning infrastructures that enhance learning experiences.

Essential Components of Infrastructure

Reliable connectivity and powerful learning devices are critical.
The role of responsible use policies to protect students.

Recommendations

Create clear benchmarks for technology access and equipment for every learner.
Focus on sustainable funding and updating technology infrastructures regularly.
Partnerships with organizations and leveraging federal funds to enhance educational technology availability.

Conclusion

Emphasis on the need for continued engagement in reshaping education through technology.
Collective efforts required from all educational stakeholders to overcome existing challenges and reach transformative goals.

Challenges Remain

Ongoing need for educator data literacy and privacy training.
Bridging the digital divide requires innovative community strategies to ensure access.

Recommendations Summary

Include stakeholders in planning technology use and investment in educational settings.
Empower educators through professional development to fully engage with technology.
Embed ongoing assessment practices with technology to enhance learning outcomes.

Appendix A: References and Contributors

Detailed lists of works cited and acknowledgments of contributors to the NETP.