Star Chart

Educator Preparation and Development in the Long Range Plan for technology is concerned with the preparation of educators. Educators must be able to facilitate learning for our students while using the most recent technology available. Teachers must have a thorough knowledge of all software, strategies, and techniques available in the area of technology. Many educators are not against using knew techniques but are unsure of the various uses and benefits technology can provide.

At the local level our district has remained in the developing technology phase of growth in the past three years. At the state and national level this trend appears to be the same. What appears to be the reason for this trend is the lack of time and finances available to make needed improvements. Providing substitutes while teachers our out for training cost the district money, and providing training during the summer also cost the district.

My suggestion for this area is incentives to teachers who put the extra time and effort into the training needed to bring about change for the districts students. Districts must include in their budgets necessary money for the training of teachers in the area of technology. Many times this is an after thought; instead it must be at the forefront of planning.

Technology Applications TEKS

The Pre-K TEKS integrate hands on learning using video and audio technology. These TEKS lay the foundation for future learning by providing students a basis from which to acquire greater knowledge in the future.

Spiraling curriculum catches students as soon as they are ready to learn certain concepts. Then as they grow older and progress more concepts requiring the previously learned material are taught. Students must learn how to input information into the computer at an early age. This knowledge is added to gradually by teaching students multiple software techniques and strategies for gaining and saving information. Projects and presentations provide students various methods to master content information.

Long Range Plan

After reading the Texas Long Range Plan for technology I have a better understanding of where currently technology in schools stands and where it needs to be in the future. As an instructional leader this information is necessary to understand what improvements need to be made in the district.

Assignment 1 Part 2

Technology is the key to the future of our students, teaching, and the nation. Without technology we cannot compete in our quickly expanding global world. The tools our students need to succeed should be utilized in our day to day classroom activities. After completing the two assessments my areas of weakness are related to the acquisition of information, problem solving, and communication. I agree with this assessment to a certain degree. Although I scored low in certain categories in these areas, I feel adequate and proficient in other categories.

My lack of familiarity with technology terminology makes me relatively certain that I know how to use certain tools, but do not know the titles for each. For example LANS and WANS. I am certain that I have used both of these tools, but do not know their meaning. Searching the internet is a skill I feel comfortable with, however, understanding the difference between a search engine and a directory I’m not familiar with. I am aware that the knowledge is available to access, research, and compare data. However, knowing how to access that data is an area of weakness.

In the area of solving problems using technology I feel confident using word, Microsoft works, power point, excel, and other word processing documents. However, I am not familiar with all the settings available in each document type. For example, I know that Excel documents can be used to calculate percentages, etc., but when using this tool I must ask for assistance in order to remember the procedures. I am aware that many tools are available but do not posses the immediate knowledge to implement these tools. When it comes to adding video or audio to a presentation I am completely lost. I believe that shared learning through the internet would be of great benefit in my area of social studies. However, I do not have the knowledge to operate this tool, nor is my school equipped to provide this service.

Through both of these assessments the lack of technological opportunities afforded our students is disturbing. I regularly here from all levels of administration how important technology is in the classroom. However, especially at the high school, the tools, training, and time needed to provided such changes is extremely inadequate.

I believe strongly that my strengths in the area of technology lie in my willingness to learn and my understanding of the value of technology in the classroom for the 21st Century student. I already utilize technology in my classroom and desire to better understand what other tools I could employ daily.