Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020
Week 2: Assignment Part 2
Teaching and Learning
Teaching and Learning is one of the four areas of the Texas STaR chart. This area is to assist teachers in moving from the "one size fits all" approach of teaching and learning to learning for all at high levels through the student-centered approach. Teachers at my school are progressing towards the mission that all student will succeed at high levels. Educators have to meet the educational needs and goals of our students. Technology is one way to meet the mission, goal for our students that are digital natives. Students are great with technology when it comes to texting and computer games; however, teachers have to teach students how to use technology educationally.
Progress in Teaching and Learning has been made locally, by the state and nationally. The state of Texas has developed the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020. The plan shares the vision for teaching and learning with technology and establishes standards to improve the integration of technology in the schools. Additionally, Texas has developed the Technology Applications TEKS. The standards define students' goals of what they need to know and be able to do with technology. Locally educators have the support of administrators and Region four. They help teachers meet technology requirements by providing staff developments, trainings and/or on site trainings. Lastly, nationally progress has been made by No Child Left Behind, a federal bill enacted in 2001. The trend that can be seen locally, by the state and nationally is that students are expected to start the use of technology at a young age. For example, there are TEKS for pre-k students that have them learn basic skills of the computer to prepare them for their journey ahead in education and the world. I recommend continual support from administrators and Region four to increasing the STaR chart key area Teaching and Learning. More staff developments would greatly help improve teachers' knowledge of the available technology and ways to utilize it in the classroom to ensure students' success.
Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020.(2007, November). Retrieved November 22, 2009, from TEA website: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/technology/lrpt/lrpt_lrpt.html
Teaching and Learning
Teaching and Learning is one of the four areas of the Texas STaR chart. This area is to assist teachers in moving from the "one size fits all" approach of teaching and learning to learning for all at high levels through the student-centered approach. Teachers at my school are progressing towards the mission that all student will succeed at high levels. Educators have to meet the educational needs and goals of our students. Technology is one way to meet the mission, goal for our students that are digital natives. Students are great with technology when it comes to texting and computer games; however, teachers have to teach students how to use technology educationally.
Progress in Teaching and Learning has been made locally, by the state and nationally. The state of Texas has developed the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020. The plan shares the vision for teaching and learning with technology and establishes standards to improve the integration of technology in the schools. Additionally, Texas has developed the Technology Applications TEKS. The standards define students' goals of what they need to know and be able to do with technology. Locally educators have the support of administrators and Region four. They help teachers meet technology requirements by providing staff developments, trainings and/or on site trainings. Lastly, nationally progress has been made by No Child Left Behind, a federal bill enacted in 2001. The trend that can be seen locally, by the state and nationally is that students are expected to start the use of technology at a young age. For example, there are TEKS for pre-k students that have them learn basic skills of the computer to prepare them for their journey ahead in education and the world. I recommend continual support from administrators and Region four to increasing the STaR chart key area Teaching and Learning. More staff developments would greatly help improve teachers' knowledge of the available technology and ways to utilize it in the classroom to ensure students' success.
Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020.(2007, November). Retrieved November 22, 2009, from TEA website: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/technology/lrpt/lrpt_lrpt.html
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Technology Applications TEKS Summary
The Pre-K Technology Applications TEKS
The Pre-K Technology Applications describe what students should have accomplished by the end of their pre-k year. The student must be able to follow oral or visual directions for using computer programs and listens to and interacts with storybooks and information texts(Revised Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines, 2008, p. 114). The student should be able to identify parts of a computer such as the keyboard, mouse and CD-ROM (Revised Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines, 2008, p. 114). He/she will be able to double click the mouse at the appropriate time, use voice/sound recording and touch screen devices and insert and play CDs to listen to music (Revised Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines, 2008, p. 114). The student must be able to create writings and drawing with software and use the software's audio, video and graphics to increase vocabulary (Revised Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines, 2008, p. 115). Lastly, the student should understand that information can be accessed by using technology (Revised Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines, 2008, p. 115).
The Pre-K TEKS lay the foundation for student performance in future grades by having students learn the basics. Students are able to begin learning basic computer terms and its appropriate uses. The child will be more apt to technology because he or she started learning it at such a young age. I feel that understanding a second language is the same as learning how to use a computer. Children are able to learn a second language easier when they are taught it at a younger age. Furthermore, this is similar to computers and technology.
The Technology Applications TEKS
The Technology Applications TEKS are presented in such a way that students have multiple opportunities to master the skill. The curriculum is presented in a spiraling, scaffolding form. In pre-k students were expected to comprehend technology terms appropriately which carries over to 6th through 8th grade. In 6th-8th grade students are expected to identify, create and use files in various formats such as text, bitmapped/vector graphics, image, video and audio files. The high school says that students are to acquire information in and knowledge about electronic formats including text, audio, video and graphics. Both TEKS are similar and reinforces material so that students can master the skill. Another example where scaffolding takes place is that the 6th-8th grade TEK says students should be able to apply appropriate electronic search strategies in the acquisition of information including keyword and Boolean search strategies. The same TEK is given in high school, where students construct appropriate electronic search strategies in the acquisition of information, including keyword and Boolean search strategies. As one can see, students have multiple opportunities to master the knowledge/skill.
Revised Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines. (2008, May). Retrieved November 22, 2009, from TEA website: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/ed_init/pkguidelines/PKG_Final_100808.pdf
Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020.(2007, November). Retrieved November 22, 2009, from TEA website: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/technology/lrpt/lrpt_lrpt.html
The Pre-K Technology Applications describe what students should have accomplished by the end of their pre-k year. The student must be able to follow oral or visual directions for using computer programs and listens to and interacts with storybooks and information texts(Revised Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines, 2008, p. 114). The student should be able to identify parts of a computer such as the keyboard, mouse and CD-ROM (Revised Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines, 2008, p. 114). He/she will be able to double click the mouse at the appropriate time, use voice/sound recording and touch screen devices and insert and play CDs to listen to music (Revised Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines, 2008, p. 114). The student must be able to create writings and drawing with software and use the software's audio, video and graphics to increase vocabulary (Revised Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines, 2008, p. 115). Lastly, the student should understand that information can be accessed by using technology (Revised Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines, 2008, p. 115).
The Pre-K TEKS lay the foundation for student performance in future grades by having students learn the basics. Students are able to begin learning basic computer terms and its appropriate uses. The child will be more apt to technology because he or she started learning it at such a young age. I feel that understanding a second language is the same as learning how to use a computer. Children are able to learn a second language easier when they are taught it at a younger age. Furthermore, this is similar to computers and technology.
The Technology Applications TEKS
The Technology Applications TEKS are presented in such a way that students have multiple opportunities to master the skill. The curriculum is presented in a spiraling, scaffolding form. In pre-k students were expected to comprehend technology terms appropriately which carries over to 6th through 8th grade. In 6th-8th grade students are expected to identify, create and use files in various formats such as text, bitmapped/vector graphics, image, video and audio files. The high school says that students are to acquire information in and knowledge about electronic formats including text, audio, video and graphics. Both TEKS are similar and reinforces material so that students can master the skill. Another example where scaffolding takes place is that the 6th-8th grade TEK says students should be able to apply appropriate electronic search strategies in the acquisition of information including keyword and Boolean search strategies. The same TEK is given in high school, where students construct appropriate electronic search strategies in the acquisition of information, including keyword and Boolean search strategies. As one can see, students have multiple opportunities to master the knowledge/skill.
Revised Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines. (2008, May). Retrieved November 22, 2009, from TEA website: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/ed_init/pkguidelines/PKG_Final_100808.pdf
Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020.(2007, November). Retrieved November 22, 2009, from TEA website: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/technology/lrpt/lrpt_lrpt.html
Analysis of the Long-Range Plan for Technology
The Long-Range Plan for technology includes the following categories: Vision 2020, Defining the Need for Change, Introducing the 21st Century Learner, Teacher Voices, Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development, Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support, Infrastructure for Technology and Study of Needs.
The Long-Range Plan should be implemented to ensure that the best education is given to the students of Texas. The vision of the plan for technology is established for the parents, educators and students. The vision for parents consist of gaining knowledge of technology and being able to access their child’s attendance, achievement and discipline(Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2007, p.1). The educators will increase the communication that exists between the school, home and community (Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2007, p. 1). Lastly, the vision says that students should be prepared to succeed in the global workforce (Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2007, p.1).
Students must be able to succeed in the global workforce. The future of the world lies in the ability of our youth to be successful. The students of today are knowledgeable about technology and will need to enhance their understanding of technology in the classroom to prepare for the future (Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2007, p. 7). The goal is for students to be able to communicate in the world engulfed in technology. Technology has changed business, government, society and life. There is a race for making advancements in technology in the areas of science and math (Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2007, p. 5). The world is moving from industrial and manufacture to the information age. Businesses will require that their employees learn new technology to complete their daily tasks. Thus, the students learn how to be an active citizen in the ever changing world. Professional development for teachers will be necessary to prepare students.
My new learning, after reading the plan, can assist me as an instructional leader at my campus. I will be able to guide, use and integrate technology, because I have read and understand the Long-Range Plan for technology. A person must understand where they are headed to achieve a task. If a person does not know where they are headed then they can never reach their goal. Teachers will need to make small gains towards the implementation of the plan to successfully implement it by 2020. Ultimately, the leader will be the one that helps these teachers understand what needs to be accomplished. Teacher will be involved in technology staff developments so that they can become proficient in their skills to help students thrive in today's world.
Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020.(2007, November). Retrieved November 22, 2009, from TEA website: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/technology/lrpt/lrpt_lrpt.html
The Long-Range Plan should be implemented to ensure that the best education is given to the students of Texas. The vision of the plan for technology is established for the parents, educators and students. The vision for parents consist of gaining knowledge of technology and being able to access their child’s attendance, achievement and discipline(Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2007, p.1). The educators will increase the communication that exists between the school, home and community (Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2007, p. 1). Lastly, the vision says that students should be prepared to succeed in the global workforce (Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2007, p.1).
Students must be able to succeed in the global workforce. The future of the world lies in the ability of our youth to be successful. The students of today are knowledgeable about technology and will need to enhance their understanding of technology in the classroom to prepare for the future (Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2007, p. 7). The goal is for students to be able to communicate in the world engulfed in technology. Technology has changed business, government, society and life. There is a race for making advancements in technology in the areas of science and math (Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2007, p. 5). The world is moving from industrial and manufacture to the information age. Businesses will require that their employees learn new technology to complete their daily tasks. Thus, the students learn how to be an active citizen in the ever changing world. Professional development for teachers will be necessary to prepare students.
My new learning, after reading the plan, can assist me as an instructional leader at my campus. I will be able to guide, use and integrate technology, because I have read and understand the Long-Range Plan for technology. A person must understand where they are headed to achieve a task. If a person does not know where they are headed then they can never reach their goal. Teachers will need to make small gains towards the implementation of the plan to successfully implement it by 2020. Ultimately, the leader will be the one that helps these teachers understand what needs to be accomplished. Teacher will be involved in technology staff developments so that they can become proficient in their skills to help students thrive in today's world.
Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020.(2007, November). Retrieved November 22, 2009, from TEA website: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/technology/lrpt/lrpt_lrpt.html
Technology Applications Inventory and SETDA Survey
I found, through both the inventory and survey, that I have both strengths and weaknesses that will affect me as a principal or a technology leader on my campus. I now have an area of focus for staff developments to improve weak areas. The first assessment was the Technology Application Inventory. It contained four domains: foundations, information acquisition, solving problems and communication. I realized that I do not meet or exceed proficiency in any of the domains. I answered yes and no questions on the inventory for each domain. I responded yes to survey questions that I understood how to complete the task. There was not one area that I had more yes answers than no. In the foundations domain, I have the following strengths: I can work in a networked community (share files, applications and print) on a local or wide area network; I can perform basic software application functions including, but not limited to, creating, modifying, printing and saving files; and I can keyboard proficiently. The domain that I am least familiar with is information acquisition. I only responded that a strength was I understood how to use the Boolean search strategies because I learned this in a graduate school class. A weakness of mine is that I do not know how to locate and acquire information on LANs and WANs including the Internet and an intranet. I am not even sure what these terms represent. I will need to gain professional development in this area, as well as for the following: identify, create and use a variety of text files; understand the difference between and use appropriately vector graphic files and bitmapped graphic files and identify, create, and use image, audio and video files.
The second assessment was the SETDA survey. I use technology on a daily basis at home. Students benefit from the use of technology. McDonald Junior High collects data on ways to improve instruction in the classroom. The data has shown that technology is a way to engage students. Through this survey, I have found that one of my strengths is designing technology- supported learning experiences. Also, I do frequently use research to guide decision- making. Other strengths include using technology to manage student grades, regularly using technology to communicate with peers and using technology to increase my own productivity as a professional. However, I found that I need to improve on having students use the Internet as a way to communicate with others in or beyond the school. Also, students should be able to go to the computer lb more during my science class to create multi-media, Web or presentation products.
Teachers at our school do have a common mission that technology should be used to enhance learning.Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 There are many areas that I must increase my knowledge so that I can correctly implement technology into the classroom. I will use staff development to strengthen my weaknesses.
Websites for the inventory and survey:
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/technology/techapp/assess/teksurv.pdf
http://www.setda-peti.org/tools.html
The second assessment was the SETDA survey. I use technology on a daily basis at home. Students benefit from the use of technology. McDonald Junior High collects data on ways to improve instruction in the classroom. The data has shown that technology is a way to engage students. Through this survey, I have found that one of my strengths is designing technology- supported learning experiences. Also, I do frequently use research to guide decision- making. Other strengths include using technology to manage student grades, regularly using technology to communicate with peers and using technology to increase my own productivity as a professional. However, I found that I need to improve on having students use the Internet as a way to communicate with others in or beyond the school. Also, students should be able to go to the computer lb more during my science class to create multi-media, Web or presentation products.
Teachers at our school do have a common mission that technology should be used to enhance learning.
Websites for the inventory and survey:
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/technology/techapp/assess/teksurv.pdf
http://www.setda-peti.org/tools.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)