The Technology Tool Belt

After reading this week's assignment, I couldn't get away from the idea of a figurative "technology tool belt" for educators.  What specific abilities or tools should we ask of teachers in the 21st century?  More specifically, in what ways do we require teachers to measurably demonstrate their abilities with technology.  How do we create opportunities for teachers to supply their technology tool belt and then provide space for them to "hammer and drill" to see what they can construct?  This is main idea I took from the blog.

Though I had never thought of it in the way presented in the article, it is interesting to ask why technology plans are not held to with the same discipline as athletic strategic plans or building construction plans.  My belief is that a fair amount school community members are not at the point where they view technology as gadgets used to present fancy and colorful.  This group includes everyone from principals, school boards, teachers, and even the taxpayers.  It is ironic the group most understanding of the potential that lies with technology in education, the students, are the ones who stand to suffer the most as schools continue to lack resources, randomly acquire resources, or fail to support teachers who genuinely wish to apply resources.

The blog contained a link to "23 Things", which featured a great visual conception of teachers' various options and avenues in the world of educational technology.  I think something as simple as this would be very effective in the effort to simply inform educators about all the possibilities that are out there.

Here is the link that sparked this blog post: Click