TECHNOLOGY IS USED FOR CHALLENGING, LONG-TERM PROJECTS THAT PROMOTE STUDENTS' HIGHER-ORDER THINKING SKILLS INSTEAD OF MERELY FOR DRILL-AND-PRACTICE PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE BASIC SKILLS

Current trends in new technologies are affecting the practice of teaching, learning, and collaboration in college courses. This is primarily due to the impact of the Internet, which allows adult students to access their college courses and materials from anywhere. Students only need a web browser and no longer need to purchase productivity software and data packages that are stored on servers around the Internet.
How Technology Will Affect Education
Computers are advancing at a blinding speed; this will change the way that education is handled in ways that cannot yet be imagined. Education in its current state is way behind its time. Changes need to be made to the way that schools around the world are teaching this so called net-generation. The Net-Gen learns differently than the older industrial age children did. The Net-Gen requires a more one-on-one form of education rather than the big class lectures. The net-generation is going to call for an education system that has been customized rather than one that is designed to fit a whole generation of kids.
When it comes to the advancing of technology, education is way behind. The hardest thing for teachers to do is realize that things have changed, “The teachers are no longer the foundation of knowledge, the internet is”. Teachers are going to have to be open minded when it comes to changing and realize that all of this is for the better good in the end. To go along with the open minded statement teachers are also going to have to accept the fact that they do not know how to use this new technology as well as some of the kids do. The significance of these technologies is that adult and non-traditional students are able to build personal learning networks using these resources. Mobile computing devices, electronic textbooks, and open content or open courseware is changing the way adult students learn in the 21st century.

How Technology Will Affect Education

Conclusion
• The school's technology plan clearly identifies learning goals to be achieved through technology
• Technology supports the instructional learning goals. It is integrated into instruction in meaningful ways so that it contributes to the attainment of high standards by all students.
• Technology is used for challenging, long-term projects that promote students' higher-order thinking skills instead of merely for drill-and-practice programs to improve basic skills.
• All students have opportunities to use a variety of technologies to support their work on authentic tasks.
• All technology is in operable condition and is being used effectively and to the maximum extent possible.
• Just-in-time technology support is available for teachers and students.
• There is a flexibility in managing the technology to ensure that all students and teachers have equity of access.
• Professional development is considered an important part of the technology plan and the technology budget.
• The professional development component of the technology plan ensures that every teacher has allotted time throughout the school year for professional development relating to technology and its integration into the classroom.
• Professional development in technology is directly applicable to the classroom situation.
• A diverse portfolio is in place to ensure that funding is available to support technology and ongoing professional development.