Follow Friday, and Why Technology?

It is "Follow Friday" on Twitter, and I enjoy jumping around and looking in to see who is doing what with regards to educational technology. I literally stumble upon really great stuff! Today I landed on Ben Grey's post (see excerpt below) which was triggered by Kelly Hines post. Then I read the comments on Ben's post, and the first comment led me to Peter Pappas post, which got me thinking.

"Something has been happening lately in education, and the implications are a bit unsettling. People are beginning to ask a cogent question, but I fear it's being framed for the wrong reason. I'm hearing more and more important decision makers asking, "Why are we using technology?" ... If tomorrow you had to stand in front of your Board of Education and respond to the question, "why should we continue to use and pursue technology in our district," what would you say?"

Why should your district continue to use and pursue technology?

Ben is correct, it is not an easy answer. I believe that this is a critical pivotal time in educational technology, and in education in general, and I believe that as such, there will be a large number of children unprepared for the rigors of life in a technological world. There is such a disparity across the United States in regard to the "haves and the have-nots." Schools that have full technological integration, where teachers and students are communicating freely and safely across states and countries are countered by schools that have just received connectivity but have not had professional development to harness the power of web collaboration. It depends whether a district is using the computer as a single user interface, or using the computer to dig richer and deeper into the educational standards by teaming with other educators and students around the globe. As Ian Jukes says, "It is about the headware, not the hardware." So, I suppose that technology in education could be expendable if it is not used properly. Bummer.

Various school mottos say:

• The Race For Excellence Has No Finish Line
• Committed To Excellence In Education
• Preparing Students

  Image by Getty Images via Daylife

  For Success In A Changing World
• We Work Best When We Work Together
• Teaching: Turning Today’s Learners Into Tomorrow’s Leaders

The US Department of Education states: "ED's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access." Specifically, there is an entire Office of Educational Technology (OET) dedicated to technology in education, which has developed the School 2.0 eToolkit . "It is designed to help schools, districts, and communities develop a common education vision and explore how that vision can be supported by technology."

Getting back to the question, why should districts continue to use and pursue technology?

Because we have stated, at the U.S., state, and county levels that we agree to "foster educational excellence." Simply put, it is our responsibility. That's why. Thoughts?