Web Conference - March 26

This process definitely started out as very frustrating for me and I was thinking there was no way I would ever use this in any way. However, once things got moving and the issues smoothed out, I really found that I enjoyed the process and learned a lot . We talked a lot about Web 2.0 Tools and I was able to get a lot of information about what they were and how I can use them in my classroom. The ideas kept coming and I was trying to write them down quickly, but I will have to go back and read the chat and then go and look at the resources. There were also a lot of questions about the LCE - some people didn't even know what that was. I think they must've been newer to the program because by the 11th course you probably should know what the LCE is - I am so glad that is over. During the chat there was one thing that frustrated me - the chat box was not big enough. I found myself trying to focus and think about what somebody typed and then it would be too far up so I'd have to scroll up to find it again. I am really glad, however, that the number was limited to only 25 participants. I can't even imagine the chaos if there were 100 participants. Overall, it was a good experience. I usually send out a weekly email to all my parents about what's coming up for the week. It was a huge hassle at the beginning of the year setting up all the emails and then emails bouncing back. I am going to do a blog next year and if the parents want to know what's happening in their students' class, they can subscribe to the blog.

Professional Development Action Plan for Technology Integration

To implement 2011-2012 School Year

Strategy/Activity	Person Responsible	Timeline	Assessment/Evaluation
Teacher surveys regarding technology usage in classrooms	Campus Administrators	May 2011	Survey results will be studied and teachers will be given assistance where they've requested it. For teachers that are not using technology, they will be required to work with facilitators to change their processes and integrate technology into their classrooms. For teachers that are using technology, they will be used as mentors to help teach the faculty how to use the technology.
Review purpose of STaR Chart	Campus Administrator	August 2011	Show teachers relevance of STaR Chart. Teachers should be aware of where we are and where we would like to go in the future.
Teachers broken down into subject/grade specific content and start a PDSA cycle regarding technology usage in the classrooms.	Teachers, Facilitators	August 2011-May 2012	Teachers begin to change their process/attitudes regarding technology as viewed through improvement tools such as consensograms, plus/deltas, etc...
All teachers required to be trained on technology integration - including, programs used (ComicLife, iMovie, PowerPoint, Website integration, Uniservity, Eduphoria, etc...)	Technology Facilitators	August 2011 - December 2011	Teachers will show the integration of the programs into their lesson plans.
All teachers required to be trained on technology resources available - Clickers, iPods, Smart Board, etc...	Technology Facilitators	August 2011 - May 2012	Teachers will be assessed on how well they have integrated these resources into their lesson plans.
Teacher Survey regarding integration of Technolgoy	Administrators	May 2012	After offering staff development to the faculty, the administrators will do another survey to determine where the staff is with technology usage in their classroom and what next steps they need to take for the subsequent years.
Review STaR Chart data	Campus Administrator	May 2012	STaR Chart numbers will show improvement to the Target Goal

School Year

STaR Chart Overview

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

STaR Chart

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National Educational Technology Plan

For me, teaching and learning go hand in hand. According to Learning is Powered by Technology, I found similar themes as far as how students are now learning and what teachers need to be doing to accommodate the changing students. No longer can students sit in the classroom and receive a one-size-fits all lesson, but according to the model, "We must focus what and how we teach to match what people need to know, how they learn, where and when the will learn, and who needs to learn." This is an awesome undertaking as a teacher, but if we truly want students to become innovative 21st century thinkers and problem solvers, then teachers must rise to the occasion.

The plan lays out specifics as to how we, as teachers, can teach better using technology, so our students will be more motivated to learn and increase their problem solving capabilities. Teachers should no longer be teaching in isolation, yet connected with peers down the hall, across the state, and even the country. Technology can help students track their progress in a way that would take the teacher a great deal more time and almost seem impossible. I really liked the idea of the One School in NY that made the individual learning plans for each of the students. It took a lot of work up front, however, the payoff was huge for the students in that what was taught was matched to what they needed to know and how they learned best.

In order for teachers to meet the ever changing demands of the 21st century learner, "Episodic and ineffective professional development is replaced by professional learning that is collaborative, coherent, and continuous and that blends more effective in-person courses and workshops with the expanded opportunities, immediacy, and convenience enabled by online learning." We have all sat in professional development that was ineffective because we were told we had to be there. With the current budget constraints on the system, it is imperative now more than ever that we have professional development that is not wasting our time and that will applied in our classrooms.

Goals

Learning: All learners will have engaging and empowering learning experiences both in and outside of school that prepare them to be active, creative, knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our globally networked society.

Assessment: Our education system at all levels will leverage the power of technology to measure what matters and use assessment data for continuous improvement.

Teaching: 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.

Infrastructure: All students and educators will have access to a comprehensive infrastructure for learning when and where they need it.

Productivity: 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 reviewing the goals stated above, I believe 100% that our educational system needs an overhaul and these goals will definitely help improve the system. I don't believe that we are preparing students as much as we could for the 21st century. I am not "bashing" the way teachers are doing things, but I think it could be done a lot better. Yes, it is going to take work to change our system, but the rewards will be huge. In taking the ILD class and having it repeated over and over that kids are not "one-size-fits-all," I know that my system needs changing and the conversations have already started with my department about how we're doing things and how we should be doing things.

References:

US Department of Education, Technology. (2010). Transforming American education: learning powered by technology

Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology

In reading the report, Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 - A Report to the 80th Texas Legislature from the Texas Education Agency, I found the same phrases being repeated over and over again. Students are 21st learners and we as educators must accommodate this new way of learning. I definitely agree with the idea that teachers need to move their lessons in a way that reaches each child. However, the one statement I agree with the most is that we need to prepare the children for the future and teach them how to be innovative thinkers and problem solvers. I have taught both ways - as a lecturer and as a facilitator/mentor. I always feel more successful as a teacher when I am more of a facilitator and facilitating while the students learn the information. They come up with better questions and through collaboration with their peers are able to work out their problems. I definitely feel that students learn more of the curriculum and it's teaching them to think for themselves - which is what we are all striving for.

One of my biggest concerns is having funds available to move towards the 2020 goal. I noticed how the plan wants to up the funds to support the technology innovation, but when they are cutting teachers job and raising class sizes, I'm not sure the funds will even be there. So, with 35 students per classroom, I am honestly a little concerned as to the future of the program. I think it is going to be easier for teachers to have a "one-size-fits-all" attitude and move backwards in the goals rather than forward.

References:

Texas Education Agency, (2010). Texas long range plan for technology, 2006-2020 Austin, Texas: Texas Education Agency. Retrieved from http://tpesc.esc12.net/eplan/lrpt.html

Texas Long Range Plan for Technology

Teaching and Learning - Educators must be including technology in their everyday classroom curriculum and all students must begin taking an active role in their education. According to the report on the Lon-Range Plan for Technology, this is happening at an increasing rate - "Students and teachers statewide have been significantly impacted and classrooms are increasingly infusing technology into their curriculum to most effectively reach today’s learners." According to the information from the STaR chart data, more and more teachers are moving into the Advanced and Target Tech area. This progress is right in line with the nations progress and both are moving in an upwards trend.

Educator Prep and Development - Teachers are now graduating college having the background to sufficiently implement technology in their classrooms - which in turn motivates students to want to do better. Across the state, there are classes being offered to ensure that all teachers have the information to be able to use the technology in their classrooms. I know that in my district, there are constantly classes being offered on how to implement technology.

In looking at the data from the STaR chart, there has not been as much overall progress made in this area - with most teachers falling in the Developing Tech section; however, there have been improvements over the previous report.

Leadership - The long range plan provides a roadmap for leaders regarding the most effective way to implement technology and expectations for the faculty and staff. According to the STaR chart, leaders are providing the necessary resources to implement technology in the school. Half of all respondents are either Developing Tech or Advanced Tech - with slightly more being Advanced Tech. This is key for our schools - without effective leaders willing to take risks with technology, the teachers would not be provided with the technology they need to implement it in their classrooms. My district is definitely well-equipped with technology - unfortunately not all of it is effectively used.

Infrastructure - This is the section of the STaR Chart that appears to have made the most overall gains with most respondents in the Advanced Tech area. It is imperative to have a sound system in which students and faculty can trust that the system won't "crash" or "jam" up. Nationally and throughout the state the system is constantly being updated to meet the demands of the growing population. According to the report, 96% of homes in Texas have access to home Broadband service - unfortunately, this doesn't mean they all have the service. Although they are making strides nationally, they have set up several goals that will enable them to increase the number of homes having internet access.

References:

Texas Education Agency, (2010). Texas long range plan for technology, 2006-2020 Austin, Texas: Texas Education Agency. Retrieved from http://tpesc.esc12.net/eplan/lrpt.html