Summary+of+the+NETP

// According to The NETP, “it is calling for a revolutionary transformation of the American education system.” The NETP focuses on the importance of utilizing teaching methods which incorporate using various technological tools to enhance teaching and learning. The use of technology enriches lessons, helps foster communication, and usually makes learning more appealing to various learning styles. It promotes creating engaging classroom environments which are student centered and involve students in active learning. Most importantly, its main objective is to help all students become productive citizens by providing them with equal opportunities to develop 21st century skills. My initiative involves installing Smart Boards in all of the school’s classrooms; kindergarten through eighth grade. SMART Board technology integration involves the practice of using technology in ways that are both curriculum-based and future-oriented. Activities which integrate computers into the classroom are the first steps to technological literacy and toward developing successful citizens with 21st century skills in a global world. By incorporating technology into lessons, students at various learning levels will become more engaged and motivated. Students often become engaged learners when technology is a seamless part of their curriculum. // // Our classrooms must be a reflection of the technology environments that students immerse themselves in on a daily basis. //
 * A summary of the NETP and how it relates to your technology initiative**

// The implementation of SMART Boards supports the four key components of learning: active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction with feedback, and connection to real-world experts. Effective technology integration is achieved when the use of technology is routine as well as transparent and when technology supports curricular goal. By incorporating technology into lessons, students at various learning levels will become more engaged and motivated. // // The SMART Board has many available resources and interactive activities that can be used as assessment tools in the classroom. Some activities consist of multiple choice questions which provide instant visual or audio feedback. Many of the activities also contain multiple learning levels and go from beginner to advance levels. //// The SMART Board // can definitely help increase student engagement and assist teachers with assessing understanding and taking the proper action to ensure improvement.
 * Include a summary for each of the 5 essential areas of the plan; learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure, and productivity, and how your technology initiative adheres to each **.

The SMART Board technology initiate is anticipated to have a positive impact on our school because the Smart Board is more interactive than other types of one-to-one student engagement which appeals to a variety of learning styles. It will help our teachers develop more 21st century teaching skills by focusing on a collaboration and team approach to teaching. The SMART Exchange provides educators with unlimited access to relevant, easy to use, preplanned lesson plans, standards-correlated lessons, and resources. In addition, educators can stay connected to a constantly growing, online community of educators. Teachers will also continue to receive support by attending professional development sessions and on site mentoring.

The purpose of education has always been centered on the development of knowledge, character and skill of all students worldwide. SMART Board Technology and innovation within every classroom serves to enhance the learning process and inspire new ways of thinking while creating collaborative environments. Schools worldwide have adopted the SMART Board technology to fit their own needs and interests. Therefore, this technology plan articulates our vision for technology integration and internet access. It also identifies the strategies that will help teachers to utilize the Smart Boards to improve the academic achievement of our students, as well as, assisting them in developing critical thinking and 21st century skills that are essential for academic success in a global society.

The interactivity of a SMART Board gives teachers and students numerous opportunities to interact, draw or collaborate with information provided on the screen. Teachers are empowered to promote technology integrated lessons which engage students, as well as, motivate struggling students. “Research conducted by Smart Technologies and the British Economic and Social Research Council shows clearly that teachers that use IWB’s see greater improvement from their students compared to classrooms that do not use IWB enriched classroom content.” Therefore the implementation of Smart Boards in our classrooms will empower our teachers to integrate technology in the classroom and help our students develop 21st century skills so they can become productive, successful students in a global society.