Saturday, March 19, 2011
Web Conference Comments
The web conference for 5352 was much more beneficial than I thought it would be. Dr. Abernathy did a very good job facilitating and answering questions. There was a lot of conversation between members and much of it was very frank. Some of the topics included Star Chart, elementary software, Adobe Connect, opensource, web 2.0 and blogs. Dr. Abernathy asked the participants, “Can anyone tell me what Web 2.0 is?” I posted the comment, “Two way conversation.” There was even a conversation about the budget crisis. One participant ask, “I'm wondering - on a different topic are any of you in jeopardy of losing your teaching jobs with all the campuses in trouble?” The question was an example of the broad ranges of topics that were discussed, and the concerns that teachers are experiencing statewide. I learned about “Poll Everywhere” which allows you to use students phone to send text so you can take a poll. I asked if anyone had used blogs with math. I didn’t get any positive responses. Overall it was a very good learning experience.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
The National Educational Technology Plan
The National Educational Technology Plan focuses on five main areas to address goals for the 21st century. The areas are Learning, Assessment, Teaching, Infrastructure, and Productivity. The areas focus around education which is fundamental building block to improving our economy, solving new and rising problems, and ensuring all citizens have the opportunity to be successful and contribute to society. We no longer are competing against ourselves; we are now competing in a global society.
Leaning must engage and empower students to become competitive and productive in our global market. Therefore it’s important to define what and how we teach. The goal is that what we teach will match what students need to learn. It’s also important to understand how students learn and adapt our strategies to meet their needs. Technology is powerful to that can enable us to accomplish these goals. Today’s technology can prepare and equip all students. It knocks down the walls that once separated our communities. No longer does language, disabilities, or races have to divide. Technology is a tool that breaks those barriers and brings us together and gives us all equal opportunities to succeed.
We must measure what is really important and has significant priority. Assessment needs to identify strengths and weaknesses quickly in order to make adjustments during the learning process. Assessment must not only come at the end of a course, but it must be effectively used throughout the course from beginning to end. Technology can bring that benefit into the learning process. Real time data allows teachers and instructors to make the necessary modifications for individual students or whole group learners so that time spent in the learning environment is productive and beneficial.
Technology also serves the instructors by improving the quality of teaching, instruction and its delivery. Technology can provide professional development at any time, any place for any content.
The infrastructure is the underlining component that drives this train. It is a project that must be maintained and updated frequently. It is a major task that’s a collaborative effort from all parties.
Ultimately the goal in education is productivity. Is what we are doing effective? This requires transparency which improves decisions by modifying directions. It also improves and eases the financial responsibility that comes along with using technology to improve our society.
Leaning must engage and empower students to become competitive and productive in our global market. Therefore it’s important to define what and how we teach. The goal is that what we teach will match what students need to learn. It’s also important to understand how students learn and adapt our strategies to meet their needs. Technology is powerful to that can enable us to accomplish these goals. Today’s technology can prepare and equip all students. It knocks down the walls that once separated our communities. No longer does language, disabilities, or races have to divide. Technology is a tool that breaks those barriers and brings us together and gives us all equal opportunities to succeed.
We must measure what is really important and has significant priority. Assessment needs to identify strengths and weaknesses quickly in order to make adjustments during the learning process. Assessment must not only come at the end of a course, but it must be effectively used throughout the course from beginning to end. Technology can bring that benefit into the learning process. Real time data allows teachers and instructors to make the necessary modifications for individual students or whole group learners so that time spent in the learning environment is productive and beneficial.
Technology also serves the instructors by improving the quality of teaching, instruction and its delivery. Technology can provide professional development at any time, any place for any content.
The infrastructure is the underlining component that drives this train. It is a project that must be maintained and updated frequently. It is a major task that’s a collaborative effort from all parties.
Ultimately the goal in education is productivity. Is what we are doing effective? This requires transparency which improves decisions by modifying directions. It also improves and eases the financial responsibility that comes along with using technology to improve our society.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology
The “2010 Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020” is a report submitted by TEA. The report is broken into 3 sections. The first is an Executive Summary which emphasis the importance for technology in regards to education. It address the what students, parents, educators, and community members can expect from the State of Texas and its education system. The second section is addresses the Long-Range Plan: Teaching and Learning; Educator Preparation and Development; Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Support; and Infrastructure. The third second section is a report by each of the regional education service centers.
Teaching and Learning of the Texas Long Range Plan focuses on all learners having individualized instruction via 24/7 access to relevant technologies. It also focuses on learners using communication technologies to solve real-world problems, incorporating research-based strategies, and learners being able to communicate in a variety of formats. Problem solving and technology proficiency has become an integral part of the state standards. Technology will drastically improve students’ ability to solve problems.
Texas Schools has progressed in providing access to technologies for students in schools. The ratio of students to computers continues to decrease. Internet access in Texas schools is almost 100 percent. One major problem is getting these technologies in homes. Cost of computer and internet access is a major deterrent for low-income families. 24/7 means access at home as well as school. Although not all students have laptops at school or home, making hardware and software more affordable will increase access to technologies and student use.
New trends include laptop programs where whole classes to whole schools are provided with laptops to enable teachers to take full advantage of the benefits of technologies. Laptop programs encourage collaboration, communication and problem solving. Providing online learning is another mayor trend in education. Before students learning improves, teacher training will have to catch up with 21st Century technologies. The quality of instruction always has a direct impact on student achievement. Improving professional development for teachers thru online courses or distant learning that is researched based will help in fulfilling the long-range plan.
Teaching and Learning of the Texas Long Range Plan focuses on all learners having individualized instruction via 24/7 access to relevant technologies. It also focuses on learners using communication technologies to solve real-world problems, incorporating research-based strategies, and learners being able to communicate in a variety of formats. Problem solving and technology proficiency has become an integral part of the state standards. Technology will drastically improve students’ ability to solve problems.
Texas Schools has progressed in providing access to technologies for students in schools. The ratio of students to computers continues to decrease. Internet access in Texas schools is almost 100 percent. One major problem is getting these technologies in homes. Cost of computer and internet access is a major deterrent for low-income families. 24/7 means access at home as well as school. Although not all students have laptops at school or home, making hardware and software more affordable will increase access to technologies and student use.
New trends include laptop programs where whole classes to whole schools are provided with laptops to enable teachers to take full advantage of the benefits of technologies. Laptop programs encourage collaboration, communication and problem solving. Providing online learning is another mayor trend in education. Before students learning improves, teacher training will have to catch up with 21st Century technologies. The quality of instruction always has a direct impact on student achievement. Improving professional development for teachers thru online courses or distant learning that is researched based will help in fulfilling the long-range plan.
Educator Preparation and Development
The Texas Long Range plan’s vision for “Educator Preparation and Development” makes recommendations to a variety of agencies to ensure educators possess the essential skills to provide quality 21st century instruction to individualized needs. Important markers for educators include graduating from programs knowing how to effectively us technologies in the teaching and learning process, providing learning environments that are flexible, interactive, and customized for learners, and ensuring that the integration of technology is fully integrated into all content areas. The plan recognizes the need for educators to take the initiative to increase their personal learning. Educators must have ongoing professional development in order to ensure mastery of the SBEC Technology Applications Standards. Distance learning will play an important role in providing educators with professional growth as well helping overcome teacher shortage. School districts also play a strong supporting role. Schools should provide teachers with the opportunities to learn how to use technology in such a way that targets students interest and engages in the learning process.
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