What Are the Top-10 Ed Tech Priorities for 2010?

Which issues in education technology should drive policymaking in 2010? Start with establishing technology as the "backbone of school improvement," and we'll be on the right track, according to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), which published a list of its top-10 priorities for decision makers for the coming year.

According to ISTE, it released its "Top Ten in '10" list in an effort to provide a framework for policymakers and educators when making decisions about how education funds will be spent--with a particular emphasis on employing technology for school improvement in the context of new and pending federal funding programs tat are demanding education reforms.

"No matter what kind of improvement path a state or school district may follow, the use of technology in learning and teaching is essential for real and lasting change," said ISTE CEO Don Knezek in a statement released this week.

ISTE's recommendations include the following:

  1. Establishing technology "as the backbone of school improvement" for student learning, professional development, and administration;
  2. Integrating technology to prepare students for careers and keep students engaged;
  3. Increasing federal funding support for technology through Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT);
  4. Keeping educators up to date on the latest technologies to help them be more effective in their teaching environments;
  5. Increasing support for pre-service education technology programs to help produce more technologically adept teachers;
  6. Using technology to "scale improvement" and "accelerate reform";
  7. Ensuring universal access to broadband services, which ISTE described as "critical so that students and parents have access to school assignments, grades, announcements and resources";
  8. Developing systems and strategies that will help educators use assessment data to improve student learning;
  9. Investing in research and development focused on "innovation in teaching and learning"; and
  10. Promoting "global digital citizenship" through technology-based, cross-border collaboration.

ISTE's complete "Top Ten in '10" with explanations and additional calls to action can be found within the organization's education technology advocacy pages here.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


Featured

  • digital learning resources including a document, video tutorial, quiz checklist, pie chart, and AI cloud icon

    Quizizz Rebrands as Wayground, Announces New AI Features

    Learning platform Quizizz has become Wayground, in a rebranding meant to reflect "the platform's evolution from a quiz tool into a more versatile supplemental learning platform that's supported by AI," according to a news announcement.

  • red brick school building with a large yellow "AI" sign above its main entrance

    New National Academy for AI Instruction to Provide Free AI Training for Educators

    In an effort to "transform how artificial intelligence is taught and integrated into classrooms across the United States," the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), in partnership with Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, and the United Federation of Teachers, is launching the National Academy for AI Instruction, a $23 million initiative that will provide access to free AI training and curriculum for all AFT members, beginning with K-12 educators.

  • stylized illustration of a desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone all displaying an orange AI icon

    Survey: AI Shifting from Cloud to PCs

    A recent Intel-commissioned report identifies a significant shift in AI adoption, moving away from the cloud and closer to the user. Businesses are increasingly turning to the specialized hardware of AI PCs, the survey found, recognizing their potential not just for productivity gains, but for revolutionizing IT efficiency, fortifying data security, and delivering a compelling return on investment by bringing AI capabilities directly to the edge.

  • Abstract AI circuit board pattern

    Nonprofit LawZero to Work Toward Safer, Truthful AI

    Turing Award-winning AI researcher Yoshua Bengio has launched LawZero, a nonprofit aimed at developing AI systems that prioritize safety and truthfulness over autonomy.