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Task force Supports Technology in the Classroom
Posted on 08/21/2012
CA Superintendent Tom Torlakson / CA Dept. of Ed. Photo
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson issued a press release (www) on August 16 announcing a new report by his Education Technology Task force (www). The Task force was formed in March with 48 volunteers appointed by the State Superintendent, including John Fleischman, Executive Director of OTAN. The responsibility of the Task force is to conduct a needs assessment and identify gaps in the current educational infrastructure in California, and to make recommendations about 21st century instructional practices, what educational technology is needed, and how to ensure that all students have access to technology.
The Task force has now issued a memo (pdf) containing a number of recommendations in the areas of learning, assessment, teaching and infrastructure. The Task force took the National Education Technology Plan 2010 (www) as its framework. Recommendations regarding learning include expanded use of online instructional materials and support for any time, any place, any pace learning, i.e. distance learning. The memo also advocates moving away from seat time, or Average Daily Attendance as the basis for funding.
There are five recommendations related to teaching, including encouraging and rewarding teacher and administrator use of technology to support current and emerging paradigms of learning, as well as reviewing current policy to facilitate the implementation of technology including online teaching and learning.
Both the memo and the detailed report (pdf) and recommendations are available online.
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