BLOG POST 1 EDLD 5352
Teaching and Learning Area (Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2010)
In the Teaching and Learning area the emphasis is on the learner being able to have access to technology and being able to use this technology to communicate with others. They should be able to convey knowledge about the real world and are supposed to be able to use research in the curricular areas they study in school so that they will be able to improve in their academic endeavors. Collaboration skills will be enhanced as they progress through the advancement of technological exposure and practice as stated in the goals of the classification and area descriptions found in the Long Range Plan (Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2010).
In this area my school district has maintained a Developing Tech classification for the last three years. This information reveals that there has been some advancement in the area but confirms the need to move on to the Advanced Tech classification (Star chart, 2010). At the state level in the 2009-2010 school year 59.3% of our schools are at this same level. However, as I examine this data there is significant increase of the advanced tech classification at 37.8% for the state. This shows a trend in the use of technology being integrated into the foundation of the TEKS (Star chart, 2010).
At the national level there is progress as most of stats I found disclose that there is a 59% to 69% developing tech classification confirming that the trend is aligned with the state of Texas in their classification status.
Upon the discovery of this information I would recommend that our state focus on the utilizing technology to advance in the Teaching and Learning area of the Star Chart. In my opinion, I believe that there should be more of an importance place on the utilization of technology by our teachers and students. We seem to use it to some degree but need to get to a place where it is actually an integral part of teaching and learning. It would seem that our school as well as many others would and should to get to the place where the foundation of the TEKS are integrated into technology use as it states in the goals for Advanced Tech classification (Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2010).
Sources:
Texas Campus StaR Chart. (2010). Retrieved from http://starchart.esc12.net/
Texas Long Range Plan for Technology. (2010). Retrieved from http://portal.esc20.net/portal/page/portal/doclibraryroot/publicpages/netvision20/n20files/LrptBrochure.pdf
Blog #2
TEXAS LONG RANGE REPORT REFLECTION
The 21st century will bring many challenges to our students as they enter into a world that requires more and more technology. Libraries, colleges, and community businesses will all be connected with technology that allows access to data as well as providing a tool that will enhance academic achievement. According to the plan should be by the year 2020.
The Progress Report reveals findings from the Star Charts. These charts are required by the state to make sure each campus is making progress in its quest to achieve Long-Range Technology goals. In the 2009-2010 goals for Teaching and Learning there was a 7% gain in the Advance Tech goals which reveals and increase in the number of teachers utilizing the TEKS and incorporating them into their classroom technology practices. There was an increase in the other areas as well as a big rise in the Advance Tech goal in the Infrastructure area.
Included in this report was the Region 10 report (my region) that states it technological goals and offerings. As stated in the report they offer internet, email, web hosting, DNS, filtering, access to online instructional tools and a broad range of videoconference servicing including access to TETN.
As reflect on this information it is enlightening to see the technological advancement we have made in our school and districts. I have taught for 22 years and know how much these technological gains have helped my school in student academic achievement. I look forward to seeing the increases in the four areas of the Texas Long-Range Technology goals as we progress into the 21 century.
Citation:
Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 at http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/comm/leg_reports/2008/08pr_to_lrpt.pdf.
