National Technology Goals Influence Curriculum

Twenty-five years ago, the Nation at Risk Report (Ed.gov, 1985) recommended that students understand “the computer as an information, computation and communication device,” and use “technology to study other basics that would contribute to personal and work-related technologies.” The presentation below looks at the role of national goals on curriculum. Specific focus will look at the policies, technological advances and funding issues that have and can influence the integration of research based technology instruction in American schools.
A brief history of contemporary technology in America’s schools will outline the challenges that face schools as they work to provide up to date instructional technologies in classrooms delivered by technology savvy teachers. An argument will be made for the role of national technology standards (National Technology Standards for Teachers and Students, International Society for Technology in Education) and for federal funding (Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers to use Technology, PT3) to provide support for program development and resource acquisition. A case example of a teacher education program will illustrate the impact that federal funding and national standards can play in the delivery of a technology supported teacher education program.