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Editor's Note:
Awareness, review and analysis of the research embodied in the
documents released by the U.S. Department of Education, Office
of Educational Technology, December 2000, is, we believe, a mandate
for all dedicated distance learning educators. These excerpts
are from the new National Educational Technology Plan, "e-Learning,
Putting a World-Class Education at the Fingertips of All Children".
The full text is available at http://www.ed.gov/Technology/elearning/index.html.
A second document, the final report of the Web-based Education
Commission, will be forthcoming in our June issue. Both reports
were issued while Dr. Linda G. Roberts was Director of the Office
of Educational Technology.
|
December 2000 Dear Member of Congress: In response to the tremendous potential for improving educational opportunities through the effective use of technology I released the nation's first educational technology plan in 1996. That plan set forth a far‑reaching vision for widespread improvements in teaching and learning guided by four national educational technology goals. We have made remarkable progress toward achieving the 1996 educational technology goals. Due in large part to federal programs such as the Technology Literacy Challenge Fund and the E-rate program, many of the nation's teachers and students are beginning to reap the benefits of increased access to computers and the Internet. That progress is a testament to the commitment of local communities, states, the private and non-profit sectors, educators, the federal government, and others to integrate technology into America's schools. Building on what has been accomplished, I am pleased to share with you e-Learning. ‑ Putting a World-Class Education at the Fingertips of All Children. This plan shows where progress has been made since 1996, where new opportunities exist, and where challenges remain. E-Learning outlines five new national educational technology goals. It proposes national, state, local, and private sector actions to ensure that all of our nation's teachers and students have the opportunity to take advantage of the power of new and emerging technologies for widespread improvements in teaching and learning - today, tomorrow, and far into the future. Leadership is required to sustain our commitment to the future. I hope that the Congress and the new administration will continue to support state and local education leaders in using technology to strengthen the academic achievement of all children. National progress on these five goals is an opportunity that the country cannot afford to miss. Yours sincerely,
Richard W Riley |
