Saturday, November 28, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Texas STaR Chart- Infrastructure for Technology
Infrastructure for Technology is the fourth part of the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology. It is the key element of all four areas of the plan. The infrastructure will provide the following: 24/7 broadband access to all e-learning technologies, just-in-time technical assistance ensuring accurate, secure data, and data standards supporting inter-operability and user accessibility. Progress in the area of infrastructure is being made at the local, state, and national level by creating a sense of community that is conductive to interdisciplinary projects and expansion of learning that goes beyond the classroom. Based on the data from the state, more schools were rated advanced and target tech in 2007-2008 as compared to 2006-2007. More local school districts are meeting the Texas Long Range Plan goal by increasing their technology support budget. Trends in the infrastructure for technology show a steady progress toward meeting the recommendations set forth in the plan. With the help of collaboratives, education service centers, local, state, and Federal funding, school districts in Texas are making great strides in the area of infrastructure of technology. I believe that there are things that can be done to strengthen this area at the local, state, and regional level. I would recommend that TEA partner with other state agencies and institutions of higher education to develop and implement a high-speed, high capacity statewide telecommunication network. Regional Education Centers should try to maintain and expand the regional technology and telecommunications infrastructure to meet the growing demands of school districts , and local agencies can design, install, and maintain a technology and telecommunication infrastructure for communications and services that ensure equitable access.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Texas Long Range Plan- Learning
After reviewing the Texas Long Range Plan I have learned that there are four important components to developing a shared vision for teaching and learning. The four components are: Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development, Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Support, and Infrastructure for Technology. I have learned that no matter where a student lives or attends school, educational technology is extremely important when it comes to the learning environment. Distance learning is a valuable tool that provides students with equal access to a quality education. Educators have to commit to ongoing professional development, as well as model appropriate use of technology. It is important that systems of technical support, staffing patterns, budgeting functions, and funding acquisitions require ongoing professional development as well. I have learned that the infrastructure of a school is the key element for all four components of the Texas Long Range Plan.
My new learning can assist me as an instructional leader by helping me create flexible learning environments to maximize teaching and learning. It will help m e budget and monitor the technology plan as well. With this new learning I will be able to expand the curriculum on-line, via digital technology by providing distance learning.
My new learning can assist me as an instructional leader by helping me create flexible learning environments to maximize teaching and learning. It will help m e budget and monitor the technology plan as well. With this new learning I will be able to expand the curriculum on-line, via digital technology by providing distance learning.
Pre-K TEKS
The Pre-k Technology Application TEKS act as a guideline for what pre-k students should be able to do. Under the pre-k guidelines students should be able to acquire information, solve problems, and communicate with others. Regular exposure to technology will enhance their learning. At this level students will be able to learn and handle input devices such as a mouse, keyboard, voice recorder, and touch screens. These students will also learn terminology associated with technology such as "printer" and "CD-ROM."
The Pre-K TEKS help lay the foundation for future grades by helping the students to develop the intellectual, social, and practical skills that they will need to be successful in school. As they move on to higher grades they will be able to use recall information based on previous learning.
A spiraling curriculum is where students revisit key ideas in a discipline throughout a curriculum, but at a higher level of complexity that is consistent with the students prior knowledge. A spiraling curriculum helps promote discovery learning that results in students leaning to take responsibility for their own learning.
A series of TEKS in which students have multiple opportunities to master certain skills would consist of the following:
Foundation:
1.f - students perform basic software application functions including, but not limited to opening an application program and creating, modifying, printing, and saving documents
2.a - students demonstrate proficiency in the use of a variety of input devices such as a mouse, keyboard, microphone, and printer
Information Acquisition:
4.a - use strategies to locate and acquire desired information on LANS and WANS including the Internet, intranet, and collaborative software.
4.b- apply appropriate electronic search strategies in the acquisition of information including keyword and Boolean search strategies
The Pre-K TEKS help lay the foundation for future grades by helping the students to develop the intellectual, social, and practical skills that they will need to be successful in school. As they move on to higher grades they will be able to use recall information based on previous learning.
A spiraling curriculum is where students revisit key ideas in a discipline throughout a curriculum, but at a higher level of complexity that is consistent with the students prior knowledge. A spiraling curriculum helps promote discovery learning that results in students leaning to take responsibility for their own learning.
A series of TEKS in which students have multiple opportunities to master certain skills would consist of the following:
Foundation:
1.f - students perform basic software application functions including, but not limited to opening an application program and creating, modifying, printing, and saving documents
2.a - students demonstrate proficiency in the use of a variety of input devices such as a mouse, keyboard, microphone, and printer
Information Acquisition:
4.a - use strategies to locate and acquire desired information on LANS and WANS including the Internet, intranet, and collaborative software.
4.b- apply appropriate electronic search strategies in the acquisition of information including keyword and Boolean search strategies
Technology Survey Reflection
After completing the Technology Application Inventory I discovered some strengths and weaknesses in my overall educational technology knowledge. My strengths are in the Foundation domain. My weakness is in the information acquisition domain and in the communication domain. Reflecting on the results of the survey I realized that I can perform basic software applications that I am knowledgeable about. The responses that I answered "no" to was responses that asked me to delineate between, or distinguish between something. I realized that there is so much out there in the technology world that I have heard about, but have no idea how to perform. I also realized that there is technology that I have not even heard about. I need to be more knowledgeable in the terminology and applications. I agree somewhat with the survey, because I only work with what I know and I really never have tried to learn anything new about technology, because it scares me in some way. I disagree in part with the survey because I feel that my strengths are really in the communication. I see now that there is much to learn when it comes to technology and if I want to stay on top of things in the 21st century, I will have to learn more technology applications.
The results of the SETDA Teacher Survey indicates that my school is extremely technology supportive, but that I don't use what is available to me near enough in my classroom. As a result of my school being technology supportive I am presented with opportunities each week to learn new things. I just need to take advantage of those opportunities. I feel that my strengths are evident in basic computer applications, but my weakness lies in the lack of knowledge with terminology and knowing how to apply that terminology. The results of the survey show that my campus takes into consideration 21st century skills.
The results of the SETDA Teacher Survey indicates that my school is extremely technology supportive, but that I don't use what is available to me near enough in my classroom. As a result of my school being technology supportive I am presented with opportunities each week to learn new things. I just need to take advantage of those opportunities. I feel that my strengths are evident in basic computer applications, but my weakness lies in the lack of knowledge with terminology and knowing how to apply that terminology. The results of the survey show that my campus takes into consideration 21st century skills.
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