Web Conference Reflection

     I attended the web conference Wednesday night, January 19.  It was very frustrating to me because the connection was bad and I did not hear most of what Ms. Borel was saying.  I feel like I missed important information.  If anything was discussed that has not been told to us elsewhere (discussion posts, announcements, etc.) could someone please let me know.  Overall, I feel that web conferences are a great way to communicate in an online class.  Hopefully once I learn how to use a web conference and the connection is better I will have a more successful experience.  From what I did understand, I was overwhelmed by the internship.  However, I have a feeling that once I begin it and take it one activity at a time, it will not seem so overwhelming.  I am excited for this experience; I feel that I will learn a lot from the hands-on internship.

Blog Posting #3-National Educational Technology Plan

The National Educational Technology Plan was established to ensure that the public education system make a shift through the use of technology from traditional learning to a new model of learning that prepares students for a global, 21^st century society.  The learning goal of the plan is that students will have engaging and empowering learning experiences in and out of school that create this shift in education.  To do this a new form of learning must be created which is personalized, lifelong, and student-centered.  Education must provide 24/7 access enabling students to form online learning communities with their peers, teachers, experts, and mentors, extending learning outside the walls of the classroom.  21^st century competencies should be included in all content areas, giving students experience with real-world tools to solve real-world problems.  The assessment goal encourages technology-based assessments that not only provide summative data for grading purposes, but provide formative data that drives the direction of instruction.  This type of assessment will continually improve learning outcomes and productivity and will allow a system of interconnected feedback.  The teaching goal ensures that teachers will have full access to resources allowing them to become facilitators of students’ self-directed learning.  Professional development will be a blend of in-person workshops and convenient online environments that offer collaborative opportunities.  There is a gap in the understanding of technology between the technical ability of teachers and the technical ability required of professionals in other sectors.  This gap prevents education from taking full advantage of technology.  The infrastructure goal is that students and teachers will have complete access to technology when and where they need it, allowing integration of learning in and out of school and participation in online learning communities.  The productivity goal is that technology redesigns processes and structures to improve learning while at the same time making efficient use of time, money, and staff.

                I noticed that the national plan was very similar to the Texas Long-Range Technology Plan; two differences I noticed are the national plan places greater emphasis on technology-based assessment to create formative student data and greater emphasis on productivity.  One issue I saw is that creating a comprehensive infrastructure will require a significant amount of money and I did not see a budget for the plan.  Also, in the productivity section the plan advocated schools that organize around competence rather than seat time, flexible scheduling that fit students’ individual needs rather than traditional academic periods, and incorporating online learning.  This could become an issue as some parents and community stakeholders may have a hard time accepting and understanding this new model of learning.

Blog Post #2-District Technology Plan

My district technology plan has four goals that address the four categories of the STAR chart.  The first goal is to integrate technology throughout the curriculum so that all students will meet the expectations of the technology applications TEKS.  Strategies include teachers using their available technology daily in all subjects, teachers meeting annually for vertical alignment, continual training for teachers, and upgrading district software.  To meet this goal, students must be using technology for critical analysis and evaluation and using technology to communicate world-wide with students and experts.  The second goal is that through increased educator preparation and development, teachers will become technologically proficient so they can successfully integrate the technology applications TEKS.  Strategies include hiring a district technology facilitator and qualified technical support and offering incentives and ongoing training, including online methods.  The third goal is that the school district’s administration and support services will integrate technology usage throughout the school district.  Strategies include expanding the district website and expanding community access to district information.  The fourth goal is to provide sufficient budget and support to expand and update the hardware and infrastructure.  Strategies include updating and replacing existing hardware, continuing to provide high-speed internet access, and providing timely technical support.

Professional development opportunities will be available focusing on integrating technology into the curriculum through workshops provided by the education service center and online.  Our district pays for most workshops at the education service center and we are given three comp days during the year for workshops we attend during the summer.  There is a sufficient budget to support the plan; the budget includes staff development, telecommunications and internet access, materials and supplies, equipment, maintenance, and miscellaneous expenses.  The services, equipment, and the plan itself will be assessed and evaluated using the STAR chart four times annually.  Adjustments will be made after each assessment to ensure that the district is moving towards the target level.

Blog Post #1-Technology Assessments

Assessing the technology knowledge and skills of educators’ and students is valuable because it allows districts to create a plan for increasing the benefit of technology in its schools and allows districts to budget for and measure the results of the plan.  The STAR Chart created by the state of Texas is valuable because it provides a shared goal for all the schools in the state.  By working toward this shared goal, Texas is insuring that it will keep up with the rest of the world and prepare students for a global, high-tech society.  Some specific benefits of the STAR Chart are that it encourages schools to use their funds on technology that will be directly used by students.  It encourages a new way of teaching so that the teacher is a facilitator and the student directs his/her own learning.  To reach the target level, schools must have adequate resources, technical and instructional support, and must provide professional development so that its teachers meet the technology standards. 

A pro to assessment for both teachers and students is that it motivates both groups to make incremental steps and eventually reach the target level.  Assessment also shows teachers and students their strengths and weaknesses so that they have specific goals to achieve.  For example, a teacher who is currently using a teacher-directed technology approach such as showing a PowerPoint might move to a learning method like a web quest, allowing students to direct their own learning.  Assessment also makes teachers accountable for their own improvement of technical skills as well as accountable for the technical knowledge and skills of their students.  A con to assessment is that it sometimes evokes resentment in teachers, especially experienced teachers.  Some teachers feel that they have taught well for many years without technology and feel as if their way of teaching is being insulted and invalidated.