Embracing the Common Cause Advocating for Ed Tech

Summary: Educational Technology seems with this digital age and 21st century skills needed for the work force a mandatory part of schools and education. However some schools are doing away with this content area. Educational technologists, teachers and advocates are now trying and attempting to make this content area a mandatory and necessary subject area within schools. This article provides ways to keep educational technology with in schools and how to advocate for it properly. It provides the basis explanation and ideas from the ISTE’s advocacy toolkit and Ed Tech Action Network. One way, to help advocate for technology in schools is to know your technology, being able to back it up by understanding it and how it aids in learning. Another way to help would be to make connections with administrators and if needed at the state level with legislators and teach them about the importance of educational technology. It is even easier to get to the national level because of the resources are out there to get in touch with House of Representative or a Senator and see where they side on education related issues. Having a good knowledge of the subject and putting effort into your advocacy will make your case for educational technology that much better. This article helps educators and advocates help aid their process in fighting for educational technology.

Reflection: This is a great article that helps all educators who are fighting with their administration, state or even at the national level for educational technology within schools. I do feel that technology within the classroom is vital. Even though right now pursuing my masters in educational technology I would have to agree and be happy to have read this article but technology is such an integral part in a student’s life. Students grow up to day and not having a cell phone or an ipod is seen as non-existent. Student’s sometimes are more knowledgeable about the technology they we are. So if schools, the state or the country are rejecting the notion of educational technology then how can we all learn these new tools in ways to learn and develop our minds. I feel if we don’t have technology in schools then it will be looked at as a negative and the jobs that are out there in the IT world aren’t going to be fulfilled by people who have the skill set needed. I hope that with this resources and many others can have help advocate for educational technologies.

Reference: Roland, J.(2006). Embracing the common cause Advocating for ED tech. Learning and Leading with Technology. 33(5), 10-13.