In the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006 – 2020, The Educator Preparation category is considered the lowest rated category in the Campus Statewide Summary. This is a key area for how technology is used in the classrooms by educators and how funds are devoted to training with technological tools.
The Technology budget allows for 6% to 24% for professional development in technology, but 75% of Texas educators use technology for administrative tasks and classroom management. The question is, why is there such a large difference between what is allocated and what is needed?
Even though instructors lead in the classroom, when it comes to new technologies, teachers are the students learning how to use the technology in their classrooms. To keep up with the Joneses and the top districts in each state, teachers need to be able to develop their skills that will allow them to master and assign the latest projects to their classes that use these technological tools. To keep the students engaged, focused and excited towards what they are being taught, educators must know the latest and greatest tools.
There are several SIMPLE ways to help improve how well educators are prepared and these options can be offered in flexible online training sessions. Teachers are so busy in today’s world due class sizes and lack of planning time due to increase number of periods taught: they need options that will fit their schedule. One way to do this is allow them to have flexible Professional Development hours that fit their schedule. These training hours could be done during their planning period, at home or during holiday break. One training that my campus allows us to attend is Connect to Learn Sessions that are online staff development that can be done on a particular day, but the session is run every 30 minutes that allow for flexibility to meet your schedule.
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