5352 week 2 part 2-Educator Preparation and Development

The area of opinion described today has to do with educator preparation and development. This area could be see as the most vital in regard to student success in the 21st Century. Without proper instruction and training, educators can in no way help prepare students for the technological advancements they are to face in the future. Educators must realize that the world that students live in now is different from when they were in school. Continuous professional development is essential for all teachers.
The importance of educator preparation programs to have beginning teachers understand the many uses and means of implementing today’s technology. For example, distance learning is a way for current teachers and administrators to stay abreast of the latest trends in technology. All educators must have either graduated from an education program that models curret technology, know how to use technology properly and /or already know how to use technology properly. Part of a teachers role is to ensure that full integration of appropriate technologyis part of the current curriculum.


There has been progress at various levels in preparing educators to excel in the classroom. On the national level, the acknowledgement that more teacher training is needed has prompted the states to begin to implement more mandatory training to help teachers keep up with the technology and training hat is needed to prepare students for the future. Also, the state is outlining a gameplan sun as the Long Range Plan for Technology in ordere to help prepare teachers as well. From a school district standpoint, steps are being taken to provide staff development opportunities, distance learning opportunities and other means of professional development to help to ensure that teachers have what they need to prepare students for the future.

In regards to improvement in this area, continued professional development is the key, especially if the funding is available to do so. There must be a constant evaluation of the staff development process in order to ensure that the proper technology is being presented and utilized among the staff, and in term being implemented by the teachers in order to help students achieve success.