Today's participation in the web conference was an eye opening experience for me to actually participate in a real time conversation with my classmates and instructor. It was my first time setting up a web camera and quite a worthwhile experience. I was able to figure out how to work the controls in order to adjust the picture. I also learned quite a few things about the various components and the set up. I can see why this could prove valuable for teams who can't really be together in one place. I can also see how this would be a neat experience for students to use as an assignment to come together with each other over a long break or to come together in groups to work on a project.
It was also especially great to see everyone for the first time. I got alot of clarification on assignments and the internship. My sound did keep fading so I'll definitely need to listen to the recorded session.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
National Education Technology Plan
The 2010 National Education Technology Plan driven by Obama’s priorities to raise the proportion of college graduates and to close the achievement gap focuses on five essential goals. These goals include learning through engagement and empowerment, assessment that measures what matters, teaching that prepares and connects students, infrastructure that accesses and enables and productivity that redesigns and transforms our education system for educational attainment. The learning component of the plan determines what and how we teach, how students learn, where and when they learn and who needs to learn. It provides for access to information and resources 24/7, the creation and sharing of information, collaboration and acquiring of new knowledge, student expression in untraditional ways where students take control of their learning, critical thinking and problem solving, and multi-media communications. The plan provides for more online learning to reduce the number of students leaving high school without a diploma and unprepared for post-secondary education.
The mode of teaching involves facilitators and teams of collaborators replacing solo teachers as well as 24/7 teacher access to data analytical tools and resources to improve instructional practices. There is support for students in and out of school through resource accessibility. Parents have more access to assist with education.
Professional development involves both pre-service and in-service collaborative innovational learning and resource opportunities that support teacher professions.
Redesigning education through a collaborative force of stakeholders and locating leaders that are motivated to lead educators towards these advanced levels of technology integration may prove to be challenging.
District Technology Plan
Irving ISD's technology plan lists seven goals:
Goal #1 is to infuse higher level thinking with technology and quality instruction. Strategies include integrating technology TEKS and higher order thinking into 100% of curriculum areas, increasing integration of technology and maintaining the 1:1 ratio of computing devices.
Goal #2 is to support assessment and planning through use of technology. Strategies include technology support for assessing.
Goal #3 is to educate all students and teachers in responsible technology use. Strategies include trainings on appropriate use and internet safety.
Goal #4 ensures that professional development is on-going and high quality. Strategies include differentiated job-embedded technology training, increased use of technology in staff developments, and demonstrations on effective use of technology. Staff developments focus on the needs of the campuses. Trainings are conducted by Instructional Technology Specialists (ITS).
Goal #5 is to ensure 100% administrative participation of appropriate software. Strategies include the use of software and technology for communications.
Goal #6 is to provide leadership to leverage technology for the improvement of teaching and learning. Strategies include integrating technology into curriculum and maintaining technology resources.
Goal #7 is to ensure a stable infrastructure for technology use. Strategies promote operations 24/7 and develop a sustainable system with available funds. Financial resources include operating funds, grants, E-Rate discounts, business partnership donations and bonds.
Goal #1 is to infuse higher level thinking with technology and quality instruction. Strategies include integrating technology TEKS and higher order thinking into 100% of curriculum areas, increasing integration of technology and maintaining the 1:1 ratio of computing devices.
Goal #2 is to support assessment and planning through use of technology. Strategies include technology support for assessing.
Goal #3 is to educate all students and teachers in responsible technology use. Strategies include trainings on appropriate use and internet safety.
Goal #4 ensures that professional development is on-going and high quality. Strategies include differentiated job-embedded technology training, increased use of technology in staff developments, and demonstrations on effective use of technology. Staff developments focus on the needs of the campuses. Trainings are conducted by Instructional Technology Specialists (ITS).
Goal #5 is to ensure 100% administrative participation of appropriate software. Strategies include the use of software and technology for communications.
Goal #6 is to provide leadership to leverage technology for the improvement of teaching and learning. Strategies include integrating technology into curriculum and maintaining technology resources.
Goal #7 is to ensure a stable infrastructure for technology use. Strategies promote operations 24/7 and develop a sustainable system with available funds. Financial resources include operating funds, grants, E-Rate discounts, business partnership donations and bonds.
The district’s plan also allows for the development of contingency plans. Local evaluations will be conducted for each aspect of the plan. The Texas STaR Chart will also be used to measure progress.
Technology Assessments
Considering the fast emergence of technology and our global economy, the value of technology integration in schools proves to be more and more apparent. Educators must be charged with obtaining the necessary knowledge that produces successful collaborative learning environments needed for 21st Century learners. In order to determine whether or not all educators have the tools to facilitate this type success, assessments must be designed to help capture and utilize information. As indicated in the executive summary of the president’s National Education Technology Plan (2010), “assessments are needed while there is still time to improve student performance”.
Just as our assessments certify that all teachers meet the needs of students in core content areas, we must also monitor technology acquisition within our teacher workforce. As well, we must show that students have been supplied with the tools needed to face the new landscape of technology without any hesitations or limitations. The use of assessments does not have to be limited to just determining teacher and student abilities. Assessments also ensure that decisions are data-driven, serve as signs of progress and help identify areas of needed improvements.
In such a dynamic environment, challenges may involve proper alignment of indicators. An example of the impact of technology dynamics can be seen already in other areas such as the E-Rate program. Applicants are to design plans that reflect 3 years or less to account for changes to technology. Another challenge involves the ability to provide equitable resources and time allowances to all educators.
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