Texas Long Range Plan for Technology - Educator Preparation and Development

This article discusses the need for educators to step up to the plate as far as establishing the use of technology in the classroom. Due to the fact that times have changed from educators using traditional learning models to 21st Century learning models. The goal of creating this type of learning environment is to prepare students to be successful after they leave the classroom as adults entering the job market. Teachers must rise to meet the challenges of learning and using technology in their classrooms as a tool to teach students in all subject areas. This could be a difficult feat especially for veteran teachers who came through the educational system when technology was not heard of as being used in the classroom setting. The article states that when using technology students must constantly be assessed to monitor the effectiveness of the use of technology. The article refers to the 21st Century learner as a "digital student".

I agree totally with this article. Teachers both veteran and new to education should be prepared to teach and integrate technology into their classroom instruction. The use of technology will definitely require educators to attend many professional development training sessions to keep up with best teaching practices in regards to integrating technology in the classroom. I see this also as a weeding process for educators who are unwilling to conform to the mandatory integration of technology as an important learning tool for successful instruction.