According to a U.S. Department of Education report, internet access in schools increased from 35% to 99% between 1994 and 2002, but 48% of teachers felt uncomfortable using computers. By 2009, there were 5.3 students for every computer. The document advocates for greater technology integration and use of online resources in 21st century classrooms to fully engage students and prepare them and teachers for the digital world. It provides examples of schools like Manor New Tech High School in Texas that have seen academic success through project-based learning and comprehensive technology use.

1. Technology in 21st Century ClassroomsAna P. Rojas

2. According to the U.S. Department of Education: From the year 1994 to 2002, the number of schools with internet access has increased from 35% to 99%

3. 48% of teachers across the country reported being “not reasonably familiar or comfortable using computers”

4. The ratio of students to computers in 2009 was 5.3 to 1Percentage of teachers who believed technologies were essential to teachings:

6. “Effective integration of technology is achieved when students are able to select technology tools to help them obtain information in a timely manner, analyze and synthesize the information, and present it professionally. The technology should become an integral part of how the classroom functions-as accessible as all other classroom tools.”-National Educational Technology Standards for Students ISTE

7. In the 21st century, schools can't be throw-backs to the state of education fifty, twenty, or even ten years ago. The instructional content they provide, the learning experiences they offer, the teaching methods they employ, and the assessments they use, must all keep pace with this century.In the 21st century, students must be fully engaged. This requires the use of technology tools and resources, involvement with interesting and relevant projects, and learning environments—including online environments—that are supportive and safe. In the 21st century, educators must be given and be prepared to use technology tools; they must be collaborators in learning—constantly seeking knowledge and acquiring new skills along with their students. Most young people can't remember a time without the Internet. But right now, many students' learning experiences in school don't match the reality outside of school. We need to bridge this gap. We need to make school more relevant and engaging. We must make the on-demand, personalized tech applications that are part of students' daily lives, a more strategic part of their academic lives. -Secretary Arne Duncan at the Association of American Publishers Annual Meeting

8. In Virginia’s Fairfax County Schools, the teachers have a web-based system called the “Electronic Curriculum Resource Assessment Tool”. Here the teachers have access to district approved lesson plans, worksheets, assessment tools and other resources.There are now schools functioning with innovative technology…Consider Manor New Tech High School in Manor, Texas. The school is part of a fast-growing district with a diverse population—60 percent Hispanic, 30 percent African American, 30 percent English Language Learners. Fully 80 percent of its student population qualifies for the free and reduced lunch program. When Manor New Tech High School opened, 50 percent of its teachers had taught for less than a year. Yet within its first year, 2008, Manor students out-performed the state average by 16 percent in science. In its 3rd year, the gains continue, with a dropout rate of virtually zero and a 97 percent attendance rate. The class of 2010 will be the first graduating class, and all students are going on to postsecondary education. Manor's leaders credit their success to project-based learning and to full and integrated use of technology.http://www2.ed.gov/news/speeches/2010/03/03032010.htmlvv

9. http://www.frankwbaker.com/mediause.htmThe use of technology among children in today’s world is increasing at an alarming rate. These charts from Women’s Day magazine and the LA Times express the truth of how the youth of the U.S. truly functions, and gives an underlying message of how the school system should adapt to this information.

10. The increase of technology in schools initiates the feeling in students of wanting to participate in class. This creates a more stable, equalized learning environment that benefits both the students and the teachers in the short-term and the long term. Being able to integrate technological skills that students statistically already obtain, is a way to take advantage of what is already available. With proper funding and a push in the right direction, the school system can get back on its feet and compete with the rest of the world. It is fairly obvious that today’s school system has to refresh its homepage.

11. Luckily, the President of the United States has made a draft to start re-furbishing the technology used in school. It will require $500 million dollars in funding, but it will lower the high school drop-out rate, increase international test scores, improve schools across the country. Most importantly, this plan will give high-speed internet and more computers to schools that have a high-poverty rate , and it will teach educators how to function with new technology and how to implement it on a daily basis, and use it as a part of their lessons. This will not only make life a little easier for students and teachers alike (once they learn how to fully use everything) it will make learning fun again to those students who “hate” school. School is finally in session, and with some money and effort, it’ll be in a chat session 