Everyone, it is official! Karen Cator has been named the new Ed-Tech Director for the Obama Administration. This appointment demonstrates the commitment of the Obama Administration to develop an agenda for American children with a heavy emphasis on technology. “Technology will be in play in every aspect of the education-reform agenda,” states Ms. Cator. (eSchool News, January 2010)
The Education Department is putting the finishing touches on an Ed-Tech Plan which focuses on learning, assessment, teaching, and productivity. Go to www.edtechfuture.org for further information.
Here is my favorite quote from her interview: “The biggest hole is the research, development, and evaluation. It’s critical to go beyond anecdotal observation that students, ‘look happy and seem to be learning.’” Wow! That says it in a nutshell.
If we are to develop young minds in early childhood to be school ready for kindergarten, should the technological tools they use be tied to rigorous research findings and standards? It is time to think about this notion when we make evaluations. I propose that you can do both; children can be happy and learn important research based skills at the same time.
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