WHY TECHNOLOGY?

During our Elluminate session on November 29th, I would like you to come prepared to discuss, "Why Technology? ~ Why is it important? ~ Why do our students expect it? ~ Why should we stay current in our instructional practices? Read the statements below and watch the video. Then, begin to pull your thoughts together. I am expecting a lively discussion!

As Georgia begins to make the transition to the Common Core GPS (CCGPS), our goal is to graduate students from high school who are "College and Career Ready". What does this mean? In order to be ready for college, workforce training, and life in a technological society, students need the ability to gather, comprehend, evaluate, synthesize, and report on information and ideas, to conduct original research in order to answer questions or solve problems, and to analyze and create a high volume and extensive range of print and nonprint texts in media forms old and new. The need to conduct research and to produce and consume media must be embedded into every aspect of today’s curriculum.

Today we must expect that our "Students will use engaging technologies in collaborative, inquiry-based learning environments with teachers who are willing and able to use technology's power to assist them in transforming knowledge and skills into products, solutions, and new information."

Following is a statement made on November 15, 2011 by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan:

"Children live in an ever-more interconnected world where their success in competing for the jobs of tomorrow will increasingly depend on their ability to understand, operate and adapt to computer-based technology and online environments. And, we are seeing that smart use of technology can improve the opportunity to learn for people of all ages. Applying technology to our entire education system can have a cascading impact on improving student learning, expanding effective practices, using data to support decision-making and encourage continuous improvement."

Here is a great video that helps us begin to think about technology from the perspective of our students.