November 2007 — News
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21st Century Learning: 'We're Not Even Close'
And for administrators, "Technology can support administration in providing instructional leadership, managing learning environments and professional learning communities, and making decisions that support proficiency in 21st century skills. Networking technologies, for example, can support administrators in communicating with staff members, parents and community members. Data management systems enable states, districts and schools to make sense of the mountains of data they collect, monitor technology and other resources, and track trends in student achievement."
The three groups responsible for the paper--SETDA, ISTE, and the Partnership for 21st Century Learning--concluded with several calls to action for federal, state, and local policymakers and education agencies and for business and community leaders. It called on federal and state policymakers to "integrate technology as a part of every program and initiative for the effective and efficient implementation of a 21st century education system that includes 21st century skills and core subjects" and require standards (such as NETS) for the educational use of technology.
For state and local agencies, it called for linking technology plans to school improvement or 21st century learning plans; the appointment of education technology directors at state and district levels; support for the development of effective strategies to teach and assess media and technology skills; and the implementation of technology-based professional development, among others.
It also called on business and community leaders to advocate proficiency in 21st century skills, advocate technology in education systems, and support policies that fund technology in education.
Further information about the groups and the paper, Maximizing the Impact: the Pivotal Role of Technology in a 21st Century Education System, can be found at the links below, including case studies for best practices and links to research.
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About the author: David Nagel is the executive editor for 1105 Media's online education technology publications, including THE Journal and Campus Technology. He can be reached at dnagel@1105media.com.
Proposals for articles and tips for news stories, as well as questions and comments about this publication, should be submitted to David Nagel, executive editor, at dnagel@1105media.com.
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