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5306– National Educational Technology Plan

”Under the Obama administration, education has become an urgent priority driven by two clear goals. By 2020,

• We will raise the proportion of college graduates from where it now stands [39%] so that 60% of our population holds a 2-year or 4-year degree.

• We will close the achievement gap so that all students – regardless of race, income, or neighborhood – graduate from high school ready to succeed in college and careers” (U.S. Department of, 2010. p.V).

The plan addresses the all-encompassing use of technology in teaching and learning for students and educators. Today’s young students are exposed to all types of evolving technology from birth. Through the use of technology, teachers will be able to individualize, differentiate, and personalize education in order to motivate and engage students as a first priority. Only 18.5% of a student’s learning is experienced in grades 1-12. Individuals need the skills to continue learning after formal education through procedural knowledge. Connections through technology will improve teaching as a team activity between students, educators, experts, activities, and online communities (U.S. Department of, 2010). Preparing teachers to teach in the age of evolving technology will require universities and professional development organizers to prepare courses that model and practices the use of technology to aid learning. “The best way to prepare teachers for connected teaching is to have them experience it” (U.S. Department of, 2010. p.44)

Other than professional development training outside of work, the plan suggests that teachers can learn technology skills in the classroom with the students. I hope our PDAS evaluators are aware of this plan.

References

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology. (2010). Transforming american education: learning powered by technology Draft. Retrieved from http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/NETP-2010-final-report.pdf

5306 – School or District Technology Plan

The McKinney ISD Technology Plan is somewhat extensive. The goals are as follows:

1. “Improve student academic achievement with technology resources ubiquitously integrated in curriculum and instruction” (Crowe, 2009). (5 objectives, 13 strategies)
2. “Improve efficiency and effectiveness of all business operations and processes” (Crowe, 2009). (5 objectives, 13 strategies)
3. “Improve the capacity of all teachers to integrate technology effectively into curriculum and instruction” (Crowe, 2009). (4 objectives, 10 strategies)
4. “Provide an efficient and effective information infrastructure to enable successful application of technology throughout the district” (Crowe, 2009). (4 objectives, 11 strategies)
5. “Improve communications between schools, teachers, parents, and the community” (Crowe, 2009). (3 objectives, 9 strategies)

The district has aligned each strategy to Texas Long Range Plan for Technology (LRPT), No Child Left Behind (NCLB), and the E-Rate (ER) program. For more detail go to http://www.mckinneyisd.net/information/docs/MISD%20Technology%20Plan%20Final%202-26-09.doc

According to the plan, McKinney ISD intends to create a staff training classroom which will include all types of district provided technology and a content creation lab to enhance professional development. Unfortunately, according to the plan evaluation, the project is behind schedule or over budget. I know this because of the evaluation tool in place. The plan evaluation describes a color-coded system attached to the strategy chart. RED indicates that the project is behind schedule or over budget. At the other end of the color spectrum is BLUE indicating that the project is implemented.  The district has most of the plan’s infrastructure in place and is on target with implementation and sustainment.  Financial support of the non-discount part of the plan is at risk.

References

Crowe, T. McKinney Independent School District, Technology Departmnet. (2009). Strategic technology plan 2009-2014 Retrieved from http://www.mckinneyisd.net/information/docs/MISD%20Technology%20Plan%20Final%202-26-09.doc

E-rate discounts for schools and libraries. (2010, JulY 14). Retrieved from http://www.usac.org/_res/documents/sl/pdf/E-rate-Overview.pdf

5306 – Technology Assessments

As a Technology Applications teacher of middle school grades, I teach each year a sampling of 120-150 8^th grade students. Two-thirds of the students that I teach have not met the standards of TA TEKS for the previous years. Many of the students do not have the skills to keyboard properly or even to center a title in word-processing document using the application’s Center function. Students which have technology literate parents are more successful. Remediation at each grade level would be necessary in order to build the required skills each year. The ability of the students is a reflection of the ability of the educators. Although many of the teachers may meet SBEC standards for Technology Applications, the time restraints within the curriculum encourage production without proper technological process. Students are assigned projects or tasks to complete using skills or non-existent skills that should be taught previously. When the project/task is graded for content, the technology skills required should be assessed also. As all educators are aware, when you prepare to teach, you become more knowledgeable. The technology skill levels of the educators on my campus vary greatly and are manifestly coinciding with their subject’s technology needs. The district offers basic, intermediate, and advanced courses in the usual Microsoft Office applications. However, unless the educators are formally assessed at one point, I do not believe they would be aware of their skill inadequacies. In turn, I believe a formal assessment of 8^th graders would provide district-wide data to support appropriate professional development and embedded technology lessons throughout K-8 grades.

EDLD 5306 Cohort 17 Web Conference on 23 November 2010

Oddly enough, it is somewhat comforting that other students have the same concerns that I do. I do wish the data streaming of the web conference was more clear and consistent.  It seems redundant to attend the conference and then listen to the recording to hear all the information. I wish there was a closed captioning option.

I conducted a Google search on Data-Based Decision Making Web Tool for Educators and it resulted in the same website URL referenced in the overview and Epic courseware and the website is still “not found.”

I have already selected my book for Week 4, Teaching With the Tools Kids Really Use: Learning With Web and Mobile Technologies.  From Dr. Abshire’s comments, I should be reviewing the information about the internship.

Justin C. set up a Facebook link for Cohort 17. Thank you Justin! I am trying the Blogger plugin for Word 2007 suggested by Mercedes and Justin. Great! I love trying new tech tips.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Be safe.