Jesse Bluma at Pointe Viven: State Superintendent’s Education Technology Plan Task Force

State Superintendent’s Education Technology Plan Task Force

As Californians we all have many reasons to care about what students are taught in school. This survey is your opportunity to be heard by decision makers in state education. If you are a student, then you have obvious reasons to care what you are legally required to learn. If you are an employer, then you have reason to care what your future employees will know how to do.

“The California Department of Education is rewriting the Education Technology Plan. Here is how you can contribute to this important work: Review the recommendations received from the Superintendent's Education Technology Task Force, Comment on the recommendations. On March 17, 2012, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson appointed 48 volunteers to become members of his Education Technology Task Force. Gathering advice from the Task Force was the first step in the State Superintendent's effort to update the Education Technology Plan approved by the State Board of Education in 2005. Task Force members presented their findings August 2012. The State Superintendent and his staff will embark on a statewide tour in September to accept public comment on its findings. And in the late Fall of 2012, the department will draft a new Education Technology Blueprint. All drafts will be posted here for public comment. The final document will be released in early 2013.”

Sample letter: Here is a synopsis of the feedback I sent to the task force.

1. The state standards should require students to learn the negative impacts of technology on brain development, writing skills, social skills, the art of communicating, artistry, and craftsmanship.

2. Technology at each grade level should not be limited to computers and cell phones. The state standards should include at each grade level computer science, programming language, computer architecture and engineering, safety and security, software engineering, hardware/computer parts vocabulary, and good uses for technology across various fields (science, math, medicine, business, exploration, archeology, home, art, health, fitness, military, construction, etc.)

3. Technology is a not a magic pill. The state standards should require students to learn that technology has a positive factor of .37 on learning, while Self-reported grades: students predict their performance 1.44, Reinforcement 1.13, Teacher Education 0.11, Students prior cognitive ability 1.04, Students disposition to learn .61, Parental aspirations for children’s educational achievement .80, Home factors .67, Home environment (socio-psychological) .57, Parent involvement .46, Transiency/mobility -0.34 (that is a negative), Television -.12 (that is a negative).

4. The state standards should require proper care, cleaning, and maintenance of technological devices to prevent the spread of germs and disease by multiple users and to extend the life of products.

Take a moment to share your feedback with the California Department of Education.

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