Thursday, March 17, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Web Conference Reflection
I participated in the March 2, 2011 web conference with Cindy Cummings. Many of the questions that I had about the course and the weeks assignment were answered, but it was a little hard to follow because there were so many people asking questions and it was often hard to figure out which question she was responding to. There were technical difficulties that caused the sound to not work, therefore, all of the communication occurred through typing. I think that it is a good idea to have students participate in web conferences so that they can understand how this type of communication can be used in education and administration.
Friday, March 4, 2011
EDLD 5352 Blog Posting #3: National Educational Technology Plan: Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology
The five goals addressed in the plan include:
1.0 - All learners will have engaging and empowering learning experiences both in and out of school that prepare them to be active, creative, knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our globally networked society.
2.0 - Our education system at all levels will leverage the power of technology to measure what matters and use assessment data for continuous improvement.
3.0 - Professional educators will be supported individually and in teams by technology that connects them to data, content, resources, expertise, and learning experiences that enable and inspire more effective teaching for all learners.
4.0 - All students and educators will have access to a comprehensive infrastructure for learning when and where they need it.
5.0 - Our education system at all levels will redesign processes and structures to take advantage of the power of technology to improve learning outcomes while making more efficient use of time, money, and staff.
Teaching and learning are certainly the primary focus of each of the identified goals from the draft of the National Technology Plan. The plan recommends the development and implementation of standards and learning objectives that integrate technology into the foundation curriculum. The implication of 24/7 access by teachers and students is a hot topic concern because of the related costs and security issues. Goal number three addresses professional development goals. Recommendations for meeting this goal include expanding opportunities for educators to have access to technology based content resources, and tools where and when they need them; social networking technologies that provide career-long personal learning opportunities for educators; online access to effective teaching and better learning opportunities and option; and providing pre-service and in-service educators with professional learning experiences powered by technology to increase their digital literacy and enable them to create compelling assignments for students. The goal also focuses on the need for educators to make connections through online learning communities in order to improve their teaching.
One thing that concerns me about the National Technology Plan is the lack of funding to implement the desired goal driven strategies. The plan openly admits that implementation will require money, but suggests "leveraging technology" and "using the dollar wisely". Federal funding continues to be minimal and yet the expectations are quite clear.
US Depart of Education. (2010). Learning Powered by Technology: National Education Technology Plan.
1.0 - All learners will have engaging and empowering learning experiences both in and out of school that prepare them to be active, creative, knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our globally networked society.
2.0 - Our education system at all levels will leverage the power of technology to measure what matters and use assessment data for continuous improvement.
3.0 - Professional educators will be supported individually and in teams by technology that connects them to data, content, resources, expertise, and learning experiences that enable and inspire more effective teaching for all learners.
4.0 - All students and educators will have access to a comprehensive infrastructure for learning when and where they need it.
5.0 - Our education system at all levels will redesign processes and structures to take advantage of the power of technology to improve learning outcomes while making more efficient use of time, money, and staff.
Teaching and learning are certainly the primary focus of each of the identified goals from the draft of the National Technology Plan. The plan recommends the development and implementation of standards and learning objectives that integrate technology into the foundation curriculum. The implication of 24/7 access by teachers and students is a hot topic concern because of the related costs and security issues. Goal number three addresses professional development goals. Recommendations for meeting this goal include expanding opportunities for educators to have access to technology based content resources, and tools where and when they need them; social networking technologies that provide career-long personal learning opportunities for educators; online access to effective teaching and better learning opportunities and option; and providing pre-service and in-service educators with professional learning experiences powered by technology to increase their digital literacy and enable them to create compelling assignments for students. The goal also focuses on the need for educators to make connections through online learning communities in order to improve their teaching.
One thing that concerns me about the National Technology Plan is the lack of funding to implement the desired goal driven strategies. The plan openly admits that implementation will require money, but suggests "leveraging technology" and "using the dollar wisely". Federal funding continues to be minimal and yet the expectations are quite clear.
US Depart of Education. (2010). Learning Powered by Technology: National Education Technology Plan.
EDLD 5352 Blog Posting #2: Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020
The 2010 Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006 - 2020 documents the State's progress and accomplishments in meeting recommendations from September 2008 through August 2010. Data is collected and analyzed from the Texas STaR Chart to track progress in the four areas on the Technology plan: Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development; Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Support; and Infrastructure. Based on STaR chart data, most Texas teachers evaluate themselves as either Developing or Advanced Tech in the area of teaching and learning. The development of the Technology Applications curriculum ensures that students and educators gain and apply critical 21st Century digital knowledge skills across the curriculum. Embedding the technology application curriculum within the foundation curriculum of English language arts, reading, mathematics, science, and social studies ensures that students are being taught advanced technology knowledge as well as meeting foundation curriculum goals. Technology courses specified in Chapter 126 including Computer Science I and II, desktop publishing, digital Graphics/Animation, Multimedia, Video Technology, and Web Mastering, have been successfully integrated into foundation curriculum studies and have led to greater student achievement in the foundation curriculum. The STaR chart data also indicates that 60% of campuses rank themselves at a level of Advanced Tech or Target Tech in the area of Content Area Connections. This indicates progress in the amount of access to and use of technology in the classroom for instructional purposes. Many different grants and program opportunities have increased access to and use of digital content in the classroom. Overall, STaR chart data for Teaching and Learning indicates a positive increase in percentages in the developing and advanced tech ranges from 2008-2010. The low percentages in the early tech range are positive indicators of progress in the area of teaching and learning. In the area of Educator Preparation and Development most Texas teachers evaluate themselves as either developing or advanced tech. The introduction of the Master Technology Teacher All Level Certificate prepares teachers to mentor other teachers and work with students in order to increase the appropriate use of technology in each classroom. The Master technology teacher standards are efficient in providing teachers with options for expanding their digital technology knowledge and skills and develop strategies to transform teaching and learning. The opportunities to join project share increases teachers training opportunities through interactive and engaging online environments and provides them with opportunities to collaborate around the globe, showcase teacher and student accomplishments, and engage student in their digital world to improve student performance. Providing Texas schools with the technology necessary for 21st Century learning is a high priority and has been addressed through the availability of tools and resources such as STaR chart data and E-Rate funding.
Included in the report are progress reports for each education service center in Texas. My district is associated with Region 3. Reviewing the progress report for Region 3 indicated significant progress in the four areas of the Texas Technology Plan. Teacher have access to 9 technology checkout labs including laptops, digital microscopes, eInstruction tools, smartboard, digital cameras, and video editing systems. In addition, the service center provides Discovery Education Streaming instruction resources to each classroom in the region. This is a resource that I have used many times in the classroom to enhance student learning. They service center promotes collaborative projects that offer teachers hands-on applications of technology, encourages distance learning technologies, and provides portable video conferencing equipment. Region 3 also provides Management Information Services through RSCCC, promotes E-Rate participation, and facilitates bi-monthly regional technology meetings. They are responsible for managing the regional network, providing Internet access to 39 districts.
Texas Education Agency. (2010). 2010 Progress Report on the Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006 - 2020: A report to the 82nd Texas Legislature.
Included in the report are progress reports for each education service center in Texas. My district is associated with Region 3. Reviewing the progress report for Region 3 indicated significant progress in the four areas of the Texas Technology Plan. Teacher have access to 9 technology checkout labs including laptops, digital microscopes, eInstruction tools, smartboard, digital cameras, and video editing systems. In addition, the service center provides Discovery Education Streaming instruction resources to each classroom in the region. This is a resource that I have used many times in the classroom to enhance student learning. They service center promotes collaborative projects that offer teachers hands-on applications of technology, encourages distance learning technologies, and provides portable video conferencing equipment. Region 3 also provides Management Information Services through RSCCC, promotes E-Rate participation, and facilitates bi-monthly regional technology meetings. They are responsible for managing the regional network, providing Internet access to 39 districts.
Texas Education Agency. (2010). 2010 Progress Report on the Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006 - 2020: A report to the 82nd Texas Legislature.
EDLD 5352 Blog Posting #1: Texas Long Range Technology Plan
One of the four areas of the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology 2006 – 2020 is Educator Preparation and Development. This area addresses the need for educators to be fully prepared to teach 21st Century learners by ensuring full integration of appropriate technology throughout all curriculum and instruction. The vision for the future includes ongoing professional development for educators to acquire technological skills they must have and educator preparation models that incorporate technology standards in a way that prepares future educators to enter the profession with the skills needed to teach today’s digital students. The vision can only be realized through a collaborative effort from TEA, SBEC, regional service centers, school districts, higher education institutions, parents, communities and the private sector.
The Texas STaR chart is a tool assists in the measurement of the impact of state and local efforts to improve student learning through the use of technology. The chart collects information that can be used by state and local agencies to determine professional development needs as well as other technology decision such as funding priorities.
The 2009-2010 STaR chart results for my campus indicate a negative trend in the area of educator preparation and development. This is a critical component of technology integration in curriculum and instruction. Local efforts to provide adequate professional development and training are insufficient. Statewide, 2009-2010 results show higher percentages in the advanced tech range than in previous years indicating a positive trend.
My recommendation for improvement in this area is to increase professional development and training opportunities at the local level. Professional development should be ongoing and job embedded. Professional learning communities focused on increasing educator mastery of Technology Application Standards should be developed and encouraged. I also recommend the addition of a middle school technology specialist whos primary goal is to provide ongoing professional development and in class support for teachers ona regular basis.
The Texas STaR chart is a tool assists in the measurement of the impact of state and local efforts to improve student learning through the use of technology. The chart collects information that can be used by state and local agencies to determine professional development needs as well as other technology decision such as funding priorities.
The 2009-2010 STaR chart results for my campus indicate a negative trend in the area of educator preparation and development. This is a critical component of technology integration in curriculum and instruction. Local efforts to provide adequate professional development and training are insufficient. Statewide, 2009-2010 results show higher percentages in the advanced tech range than in previous years indicating a positive trend.
My recommendation for improvement in this area is to increase professional development and training opportunities at the local level. Professional development should be ongoing and job embedded. Professional learning communities focused on increasing educator mastery of Technology Application Standards should be developed and encouraged. I also recommend the addition of a middle school technology specialist whos primary goal is to provide ongoing professional development and in class support for teachers ona regular basis.
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