Jim Shelton, the assistant deputy secretary for technology at the Education Department's Office of Innovation and Improvement since April 2009, is in charge of grant-making and educational technology strategy at the department. At the recent Gov 2.0 Summit in Washington, Shelton talked with reporter Alice Lipowicz, about:

The role of the Office of Innovation and Improvement:
Citing demonstration grants for teacher preparedness, charter schools and the investment innovation fund, Shelton talked about his office's role in driving best practices and encouraging innovation and stated that, "Technology is going to be a driver for educational innovations as we more forward."

How technology is being used to improve education:
According to Shelton, "Technology is being used to help students read and learn better, to connect teachers to resources, and as a platform for research." He talked about the importance of technology to support student assessment and to help teachers connect with peers and experts.

The department's National Education Technology Plan:
"It's a federal strategy not only for the department but for the country," said Shelton, whose department coordinates the IT aspects for the plan, working closely with the FCC on the E-Rate program and with NSF and other government organizations on STEM education and professional development.

The greatest challenges of his position:
Shelton says, "We are in an environment where we have to do more and be more efficient. Money is tight and will get tighter." He believes that technology can play a major role in addressing this problem. Another challenge he cites, however, is that "people are becoming risk-averse" which means that "there needs to be a form of accountability so that people are not penalized for taking risks."

Source: How technology can reinvigorate the education system, Federal Computer Week