But despite the attention from education bigwigs and national figures, problems with technology in education still loom, and no one has found a perfect solution, educators say. The number of engineers has not kept up with the demand, and desperate companies have turned to other countries to find qualified workers, sparking the heated debate over H-1B visas . There seems to be a disconnect somewhere. To move forward, Barrett said, the focus must be on the teachers first. He announced Intel's Teach to the Future program , a two-week course that will instruct 400,000 teachers around the world on how to integrate technology into their curriculum.
Educators agree that programs like that are needed.
They need lots of support. The International Society for Technology in Education developed the National Educational Technology Standards, which were also announced at the conference. According to NETS, teachers must be able to demonstrate skills and concepts in technology, and plan lessons that use technology to enhance learning. They must use technology for their own professional development, and must demonstrate legal and ethical practices when doing so. Teachers should use resources that affirm diversity, and facilitate equal access to these tools for all students.