Texas Long Range Plan for Technology: Educator Preparation and Development
As I began to read the Educator Preparation and Development section of the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, my first thought was, “Why am I just now reading this? It is 2009 and this was written in 2006!” But as I continued through the reading, I realized that my administrators are definitely aware of this plan and have been targeting this topic at our teacher in-services over the past few years. Last summer we had a 3-day staff development in June where we were introduced to technologies that are now available at our school that included C-scope, streaming video and a new website template that each teacher was required to use in creating their own web page that is linked to the school’s site. In February of this year, we had a 2-day in-service that focused on using technology in the classroom that emphasized Web 2.0.
The vision states that “Teachers must be able to prepare students for their future in a manner that assures that all students will not simply survive, but truly thrive in the world that awaits them.” I believe that most of the teachers in the high school that I am currently teaching are headed in this direction at a very fast pace. In the past 10 years I have witnessed teachers at our school slowly accept technology and learn how to use it themselves. Now that they are comfortable in using a computer, word processors, spreadsheets, PowerPoint and the internet they are excited about integrating technology in their classrooms and look for opportunities to include it. The newer teachers that have just received their teaching certification are much better prepared and tend to easily integrate technology in their lessons.
One topic that caught my attention as I read through the plan was distance learning. We have some students that are allowed to take courses online from colleges if they can show a viable reason as to the need of the course. For instance, there may be a new student that had taken French for one or two years at their previous school and they need a second or third year of foreign language and wish to continue with French. Since we do not offer French, they are allowed to take it online. We also offer a dual credit American History College course and the college credit portion of the course is largely done online. One of our teachers created modules that the students work through and respond to in discussion forums and by using electronic mail. That’s about it though. This is an area that we need to work on. I have talked with other math teachers and am aware that there are some school districts that are offering their Algebra courses online for some of their students. I find this idea to be very attractive.
Overall I believe our school is headed in the right direction to be on track with this plan. I even heard one of my math teacher colleagues state just recently that she felt she could teach the BCIS classes! Our main problem is always funding. Technology is great but the cost can be devastating to a budget.
The vision states that “Teachers must be able to prepare students for their future in a manner that assures that all students will not simply survive, but truly thrive in the world that awaits them.” I believe that most of the teachers in the high school that I am currently teaching are headed in this direction at a very fast pace. In the past 10 years I have witnessed teachers at our school slowly accept technology and learn how to use it themselves. Now that they are comfortable in using a computer, word processors, spreadsheets, PowerPoint and the internet they are excited about integrating technology in their classrooms and look for opportunities to include it. The newer teachers that have just received their teaching certification are much better prepared and tend to easily integrate technology in their lessons.
One topic that caught my attention as I read through the plan was distance learning. We have some students that are allowed to take courses online from colleges if they can show a viable reason as to the need of the course. For instance, there may be a new student that had taken French for one or two years at their previous school and they need a second or third year of foreign language and wish to continue with French. Since we do not offer French, they are allowed to take it online. We also offer a dual credit American History College course and the college credit portion of the course is largely done online. One of our teachers created modules that the students work through and respond to in discussion forums and by using electronic mail. That’s about it though. This is an area that we need to work on. I have talked with other math teachers and am aware that there are some school districts that are offering their Algebra courses online for some of their students. I find this idea to be very attractive.
Overall I believe our school is headed in the right direction to be on track with this plan. I even heard one of my math teacher colleagues state just recently that she felt she could teach the BCIS classes! Our main problem is always funding. Technology is great but the cost can be devastating to a budget.
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