Instructional Leader -- Week 2 -- post #1

Technological advancement has created an array of educational tools and learning opportunities that we are just beginning to use and understand. Never before have the possibilities been so great; never before has the educator’s responsibility been greater. It is our job to navigate, assess, and make decisions on how the latest available technologies can enhance student learning in our classroom. Technology must be fully integrated into the learning experience, just as it is ubiquitous in the lives of our students. Only then can we increase levels of relevance, collaboration, creativity, and analysis. Teachers must explore best practices in educational technology and seek out professional development to learn and refine new strategies and platforms for learning. The classroom environment is changing with the increased use of technology. Likewise, the role of the teacher is changing. No longer does the teacher simply deliver content and assess the understanding of the content delivered. Teachers are now facilitators of collaborative and flexible learning. We can lead students on an exploration of learning, an exploration that is enriched by technology. One of the biggest challenges to this vision of technology and learning is accessibility. Computer labs are overbooked. Bandwidth is stifled. Networks are overloaded. Budgets are being cut. Teachers must overcome these challenges and maximize resources even if they are limited. If our country is going to continue to be a world power, we must lead the marriage of technology and education. We have tremendous possibilities in education. Now we must take responsibility and act.