Post #1- Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006 – 2020, The Educator Preparation

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.

Blog Posting #2 - Long Range Plan for Technology

The Texas Long Range Plan for Technology 2006-2020 requires an infrastructure to be put into place that meets the challenge of the 21^st century learner. It entails a plan that provides Texas a vigorous state-wide road that connects technology to students learning through on-demand accessibility to data using schools, libraries, colleges and businesses.

The communications system will provide access to e-learning, technical assistance, secured data, and standards to support all users twenty-four hours, seven days a week. All Texas campuses are to provide adequate and up-to-date technology tools for the learners. Budgetary constraints might seem to make the upgrading of systems seem remote, but for this reason, many districts have passed bonds or have written grants to secure funds to upgrade their technology.

Texas Campus STaR chart was designed in 2004 to be used as a tool for technology planning, budgeting resources and to evaluate the technology readiness of a campus. Results from the 2006-07 Campus STaR chart yielded positive gains in technology. The 2006-08 Progress Report (TEA, 2008) states that 65% of campuses were rated as Developing Tech; implying that there are 5-9 students per computer connected to the Internet, 53% of campuses provided the Internet in all rooms, 63% percent of the campuses provide a computer in each classroom that was connected to the Internet, and 46% of the campuses are connected to a networked printer. Furthermore, 55% of campuses have scheduled access to rich media via Internet. Compared to the previous year, fewer campuses were found to be at the lowest level or “Early Tech.”

Only 7% of Texas campuses have reached the highest level “Target Tech.” A strict adherence to the technology plan will ensure students’ success. It is imperative that Texas’ campuses reach technology readiness so that students can compete in the 21st century.

Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology 2006-2020. Texas Education Agency. Downloaded on June 15, 2009, from http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/comm/leg_reports/2008/08pr_to_lrpt.pdf

Welcome Instructional Leadership Peers!

Wow, I can't believe that I am going to be graduating in 3.5 months! So exciting and this program has gone by so fast!! I am looking forward to being creative with technology while learning new ideas that my students will benefit from!

Have a great day!