Technology As An Essential Component of Curriculum Development

The written, taught and tested curriculum in a school needs to be aligned for the most effective teaching and learning. For technology to be part of that curriculum it needs to be supported by essential conditions and it needs to support the curriculum that may be based on state or national standards. Since technology is part of all grade levels across the curriculum either a separate guide or section embedded within each level and/or subject that includes the Essential Conditions, NETS for Students and Student Profiles in grades K-12 should also be included. Part of that technology should include a district philosophy statement that supports the essential conditions and use of technology for 21st century learning. NETS for both teachers and administrators should accompany the philosophy statement to give direction to the initiative. Just like all parts of the curriculum this should be acted on and signed by the board of education so that direction is officially given for the administrators to allocate resources to the initiative. The district Technology Plan should reflect the essential conditions and be included as part of the section or guide so that all stakeholders can participate in and be familiar with that plan. the technology plan and NETS should work together to bring about greater integration and use of technology in the district.

Specifics as to how to implement the NETS for students would be part of teacher planning, however, resources should be listed in the guide that would align to the student profile per grade level. As in the use of standards, the expectation should be that teachers use the NETS for students and accompanying grade level profiles in the classroom and collaborate with other teachers. Staff Development should also be provided to make teachers familiar with resources. For example, the first part of the 9-12 student profile related to NETS Standard 1 is that students create a game (on the computer, online). Resources such as ETOYS could be listed along with others and then a staff in service on how to effectively use the resource to enhance subject matter and increase student achievement through technology use could be scheduled.
This integration into curriculum planning may take time but will help to embed the technology across the curriculum.

Another effective use of technology as part of curriculum planning is in differentiated instruction. In fact, technology can make it easier to provide specific and focused learning tools as students are assessed for their strengths and starting point in the curriculum. Universal Design for Learning provides a framework for individualizing (instruction) learning in a standards-based environment through flexible pedagogy and tools. UDL is a way of presenting the curriculum to meet the needs of all students including presentation of content, expression by students and engagement of the students. This differentiated instruction allows for a variety of learning styles, ability levels and optional tasks.

Presentation of content might include use of digital books; websites; multi media presentation formats; and specific software programs. Allowing for a variety of ways for students to express ideas could include use of online graphic organizers; speech to text options; cooperative and collaborative student learning using wiki, blogging and google docs. Student engagement might be facilitated in the UDL model through interactive software; recorded books; adjustable level textbooks online; visual graphics; and student developed online games.

UDL works simultaneously with integration of technology in curriculum planning. As teachers set clear goals for instruction by using curriculum planning, individualize instruction for all students using technology tools designed for specific purposes and assess progress, the focus of the classroom will become aligned with learning and higher achievement for all students.