Assumptions About Technology Use

The appropriate use of technology can contribute to the educational environment in significant ways. It can provide immediate access for students to the extensive collection of human knowledge. It facilitates instruction and assessment at all levels (pre K-12, preservice, professional development, and life-long learning) in ways that can promote equity. It provides links between schools and learning partners. Technological literacy will greatly improve the employment prospects of our graduates. However, the effective use of technology requires a major shift in instructional design, facilities design, and budgetary planning, all of which need the consideration, support, and guidance of the curriculum development committees.

• Technology is a tool to be integrated across all content areas. The Alaska content standards in technology do not define technology as an isolated academic field.
• Technological skills are essential for all students regardless of educational and career goals. They enable the student to assume a productive role in the world community.
• Information retrieval, evaluation, and management is a key to intelligent decision making. All students should know how to locate and retrieve information through computer networks.
• All students must have access to computer networks and related technologies.
• Technology eliminates geographic barriers to interactions. Technology offers the opportunities for rural areas to be revitalized economically, helping people to combine the benefits of rural lifestyle with the ability to earn a living.
• Schools need to use technology to build bridges into the home, community, and work place.
• School districts need to redirect and re-prioritize existing dollars to sustain and support the use of technology for learning. The costs for training, support, upgrades, and retrofitting may exceed the cost of initial hardware and software.
• Professional development in technology is essential.
• All students can attain the Alaska content standards for technology.

(Source: The Starting Point, Alaska Frameworks 1996)