Source: http://twilit.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/soap-bubble.jpg

As districts struggle to conduct their assessments in Texas, news like this comes out:

For the first time ever, technological literacy will become part of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card, the test’s governing board has announced.

Beginning in 2012, the test will measure students’ proficiency with technology in addition to reading, math, science, history, writing, and other subjects. The new test will mark the first time students’ technology literacy has been assessed on a national level.

The National Assessment Governing Board has awarded a $1.86 million contract to WestEd—a nonprofit educational research, development, and service agency based in San Francisco—to develop the 2012 NAEP Technological Literacy Framework.
Source: eSchoolNews

This is the kind of news that should send shivers down the back of school district administrators and teachers who have considered technology irrelevant to the daily work of teaching, learning and leading. Ok, it sends shivers down MY back because, let’s be honest, many schools are doing integration when its convenient, not when it’s needed.

Worse, if your school or district has NOT built up the infrastructure for technology use by teachers and students, you’re in narrow straits. Check out this comment and ask yourself, Does this reflect the reality in your public school district?

Students could be held accountable only if the high schools have the appropriate software programs that allow students access to the latest in software techniques. Many high schools do not have basic technology support systems to hold students accountable. A major high school that I cannot support saved PowerPoint presentations even though students are told that they have very large storage capacity for each student. Do not hold student accountable when support systems are not available to them.
Comment on Article linked above

As instructional technology becomes even MORE important, it is at a time when curriculum folks honestly fail to recognize that technology isn’t just for the techies anymore…it is for everyone. We may be caught in a bubble from 10-20 years ago when tech was something THAT group over there did, rather than everyone. Wake up, America!

We need to change how we approach professional learning in core content areas with teachers, requiring them to use online approaches rather than face to face that perpetuate the “hands-off technology” approach. Thoughts?

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