Blog #3 EDLD 5352 EA1210 National Educational Technology Plan

In the final blog for week 2 of our assignments, we were asked to write about the National goals and plans for schools. It was interesting to note the similarities of the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology in comparison to the National Educational Technology Plan. Many of the words were common to each plan including infrastructure, professional developing, learning, assessment, productivity and teaching. The NETP has recommended five goals for states, districts, federal government and other stakeholders in the education system. Goal 1.0 focuses on the Learner and states that all learners will have engaging and empowering learning experiences both in and outside of school that will prepare them to be active, creative, knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our globally networked society. Goal 2.0 focuses on Assessment and states that our education system at all levels will leverage the power of technology to measure what matters and use assessment data for continuous improvement. Goal 3.0 focuses on Teaching and states that 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. Goal 4.0 focuses on Infrastructure and states that all students and educators will have access to a comprehensive infrastructure for learning when and where they need it. And finally goal 5.0 focuses on Productivity and states that 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. In summarizing what all this means, one must focus on what is expected of the teaching and learning as well as the professional development. The NETP believes that in order to reach these goals teaching and learning must be connected teaching. Connected teaching occurs when there is innovative teaching, problem solving, creativity in the lesson plans, continuous improvement, assessments and flexible approaches to student learning. No longer is the teaching profession one of isolation but one of collaboration and connection. In addition, students are no longer simply sitting at their desks but actively participating in the lesson and allowed to grow as 21st century learners. In order for this to happen professional development for educators must be collaborative, consistent and continuous. Courses that expand upon prior knowledge allow educators to grow professionally and the added convenience of online learning allows educators to continue their education at their leisure. As an educator, I agree that no longer can we allow teaching and learning to be passive but rather proactive and innovative. Educators and learners of today will both be successful if they are working as a team to meet the needs of all individuals.

Blog #2 EDLD 5352 EA1210 Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology

In continuation of the discussion of the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020, Lamar students were asked to read the progress report from 2008. The first progress report was presented in 2008 as an assessment of how the state was following through on the expectations of the state. Upon accessing the report, it is easy to see that much time was put into this report by noting the length of the document which is 187 pages. To access this report one can go to the TEA website and search for the LRPT for the year 2008. Also including on the TEA website is the progress report for 2010. The 2010 report displays accomplishments from September 2008-August 2010. The information is very detailed and fully explains the various forms of collaborations and activities that are occurring by Texas public schools, regional education service centers and the Texas Education Agency. As a result of the plan, online learning, digital content, curriculum and student management systems, and online professional development has made a significant difference in how schools implement the recommendations of the Long-Range Plan for Technology. The ultimate goal of this plan is to prepare 21st Century learners to co-exist in a global marketplace and to educate stakeholders to create an learning environment that is positive and promotes success. The 2008 progress report indicates that all entities have embraced this plan and are making efforts to ensure goals are being met. Throughout the report evidence was sited that supported that schools that immersed technology into the classroom every day showed positive results over and over again. A few benefits of technology immersion with students showed higher levels of academic achievement, less discipline problems, increased creativity, more consistency and habits of mind became more organized and self-disciplined. In regards to technology immersion with teachers, teachers continued to grow in technology proficiency and had more collegial interactions on technology-based issues. Schools with supportive administrators generally supported technology immersion that offered more professional development and continually sought out stable means of providing innovative technology and resources to their students and teachers. In addition, region centers across the state provided additional means of resources for school districts to build upon the resources already in place.

Blog #1 EDLD 5352 EA1210 Texas Long-Range Planning for Technology

As part of the leadership course EDLD 5352 with Lamar University, students had to write an opinion about one part of the Texas long-range plan for technology. I have chosen to discuss the area of Infrastructure for Technology as it relates to my campus. To begin with, Infrastructure for Technology deals with the aspects of students per computers, internet access connectivity speed, other classroom technology, technical support, local area network wide area network and distance learning capacity. My current campus has made many strides to make sure that our students have access and training in the required technology curriculum as well as the students attend computer class once a week. The school district uses many versions of cloudware, which allows access to various types of computer programs without having to purchase software for each computer or campus. Technology is integrated daily into the lessons and the district offers professional development opportunities throughout the school year. Professional development is not only taught on the district level but during the Spring semester classes are offered once a week, at the campus level, for educators to learn about the latest technology or further develop their skills. In addition, professional development occurs during faculty meetings to allow for technology specialists, fellow educators and administrators to share information about new technology or useful websites that will help teach the 21st Century learner. The trend seems to be that school districts are proactive in providing technology skills to their students as well as encouraging educators to teach technology with ease to match the capabilities of the learners of today. Educators are highly encouraged by campus and district administrators to seek out further knowledge and to ensure that goals are met by 2020, technology classes are offered for free. All that is required of educators is dedicating time to attend professional development and incorporate the necessary skills learned into daily lessons. In my personal opinion, I feel that the districts must continue to offer training to educators in order to ensure that all goals are met in regards to the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology. Even though today's economy determines what funds are received, the state must continue to provide the means to meet all goals. By doing so the districts are bringing their educators into the 21st Century in order to match the skills of the present day learners as well as searching for innovative ways to teach the tech savvy generation of learners today.