Reading+Reflections,+Technology+Facilitator+Standard+III,+Teaching,+Learning,+and+Curriculum

This chapter examines the current context and lays plans for rectifying the situation. Current instruction and curricula are not meeting the mark for today's digital learners nor are we, as educators, adequately preparing students for what lies ahead in their careers. As technology facilitators, we have a responsibility to not only infuse the curricula with technology standards, we must implement a strategic plan to meet the needs of students.

Swift and dramatic change is generally not recommended by the leadership experts. It upsets teams, shakes confidence, and interferes with what is already working. Yet, swift and dramatic change is exactly what is happening with the way students learn. Schools are not keeping up. The commitment to closing the achievement gap is long-standing and admirable, but some teachers believe the gap is widening because of limited or unequal access to technology tools. It’s time to give all students the best tools and implement 1:1 initiatives in all schools. “Access is a basic right. It’s the same as roads or clean water or electricity. Those are [accessible] here in this country because we expect it. The same thing should apply to the Internet. The Internet is about empowerment.” ” (BYOD, n.d.) With products such as Google Chromebooks selling for about $250, certainly less than the cost of several content area textbooks per student, it is not unreasonable for districts and campuses to make the investment in providing equal access for all.

 “Whether it’s connecting with new people via social media or discovering local resources recommended by an app, mobiles provide people with constant opportunities to act upon their curiosities and expand their knowledge.” (“NMC Horizon Report,, ” n.d.) Research is showing that access to the Internet, social media, and other digital tools complements the learning styles of today’s students. This is our opportunity to leap forward and away from the industrialized model of education.

Sources BYOD. (n.d.). For low-income kids, access to devices could be the equalizer. Retrieved from [|http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/03/for-low-income-kids-access-to-devices-could-be-the-equa…]

Williamson, J., & Redish, T. (2009). Iste's technology facilitation and leadership standards, what every k-12 leader should know and be able to do. Intl Society for Technology in educ