Blog Post #1

I have chosen to write about the area of Educator Preparation and Development. This was a weak area at my campus. I think schools struggle with this because some veteran teachers may be resistant to or confused about how to make the changes necessary to meet the technology needs of today's technology savvy students. To bring this about, colleges and universities are now providing educator preparation programs which provide instruction in current technology integration strategies in all curriculum areas. Teachers also learn how to use technology as a flexible tool to create collaborative and interactive learning environments customized to the students in their classrooms. To aid in these efforts, the SBEC provides Technology Applications Standards. The TEA also provides Technology TEKS to guide teachers in developing engaging technology application lessons. Local districts routinely offer professional development in the area of technology as an ongoing means of increasing student achievement through the use of technology. Federal mandates require that all states develop strategies for a comprehensive plan to help students learn through the use of technology. Trends indicate that progress has been made in this area. At the local level, faculties are using the STaR chart, professional develoopment, online learning, and campus mentoring and coaching to help teachers focus on the technology objectives set forth at the state and local level. At the state level, we have developed the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology. This is another tool for campuses to use to increase technology applications in the classroom. At the national level, states are monitored in their success toward meeting the goals of their technology plans. I would recommend that improvements be made in the area of providing the tools necesary to implement the technology goals. Teachers need access to promethian boards, projectors, document cameras, laptops, and current software to help students achieve in all subject areas through the use of technology. This can be done by campuses including such expenditures in their CIP's and by districts providing equal funding to campuses throughout their districts. States can help in this effort by ensuring appropriate funding to districts to make such expenditures possible. This effort can also be assisted through Federal funding programs such as Title 1 for schools with significant percentages of low SES students.