E-Rate & Technology Plan Slide Presentation

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Blog Post 3--Summary of the National Educational Technology Plan

The National Educational Technology Plan “is not a prescription but rather a common definition and a five-year action plan that responds to an urgent national priority and a growing understanding of what the United States needs to do to  remain competitive in a global economy” (page 7). The plan outlines a model for learning that includes the following areas:

Learning

Engage and Empower learning experiences for all by focusing what and how we teach to match who we teach, how they learn, and when/where they learn.

Assessment
Measure what matters during the process of learning to improve student performance.


Teaching      
Prepare and connect to employ a model of connected teaching.

Infrastructure
Access and enable a comprehensive infrastructure for learning that provides the resources needed when and where they are needed.

Productivity
Redesign and transform the American education system and use technology to implement personalized learning and ensure student progress through the P–16 system.

Plan recommendations build on neuroscience/brain data that is focused on the how and whys of effective learning. Teaching and learning are not viewed as two exclusive processes. “Educators can be engaged in professional learning not only when attending formal workshops or other activities outside the classroom, but also in the very act of teaching” (page 45).  Professional development recommendations also include video sharing, online instruction, Teach tv, and personal learning networks.  

This plan does not give quantitative rubrics to assess progress. Some Long-Range Plan for Technology finding are reiterated, but this plan gives great science supports, recommendations, and recent data to support innovation.   

Resource:

National education technology plan technical working group. (2010, March 5). The National educational technology plan. Retrieved from http://www.ed.gov/technology/netp-2010

Blog Post 2--District Technology Plan in Short Order

The Pearland ISD Technology Plan “focuses on facility and technology requirements defined from an instructional view point.” Instructional program, technology plan, and professional development are all intertwined to assure effective impact of technology use on student learning. Here is my summary of its goals and objectives:

Pearland ISD Technology Plan

                                                                 

Goal 1- Infrastructure for Technology            

Objectives & Summary

1.1                  Provide infrastructure for network access

1.2                  Provide relevant software for instruction

1.3                  Align technology with best practices

1.4                  Maintain and secure hardware

Goal 2-Teaching and Learning --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Objectives & Summary 
2.1                   Students effectively and routinely use technology

2.2                   Special needs students’ technology devices and services provided

2.3                   Infuse technology into curriculum development and planning

Goal 3-Educator Preparation -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Objectives & Summary
3.1                   Ongoing and job-embedded training
3.2                  Staff administrative use of technology

Goal 4-Administrative and Support Services ---------------------------------------------------------------

Objectives & Summary  
4.1                    Provide for public awareness, information sharing, and collaboration to build community

4.2                     Assess the districts technology needs

                               

 Professional development is offered in several ways and coordinated by the District’s Director of Technology. Offerings include online resources accessible 24/7; after-school, planning period, and summer technical assistance from Technology and Instructional Technology Specialist; monthly webinars; and annual conferences. The district’s infrastructure is constantly being assessed by staff, students, and teachers through various response systems. To assure student improved learning, the district uses online lesson completion, student portfolios, STaR assessments, and annual Technology committee meetings. The Technology Plan budgets for possible need to upgrade technology.     

Resource:

Pearlandisd. 2007, Dec 11. PearlandISD Technology Plan. Retrieved from http://www.pearlandisd.org/files/19135/District%20Technology%20Plan%2008-2010.doc

Blog Post 1: Technology Assessments—Valuable or Not?

I believe that the assessment of educator and student technology skills is important to the necessary advancements in education. Printed books, notepad, pencils and overhead projectors are no longer the staple items needed within our classrooms to access, review, and synthesize information. To the contrary such antiquated sources would serve to disengage our 21^st century learners, limit the amount and types of information readily available, and create a chasm with no bridge to migrate over. As cited in Meris Stanbury’s article, effective ed-tech programs have shown decreases in student dropout and increases in student graduation of high risk students (17).  Without assessments improvements and adjustments would not be made.

Ready or not the need for technological change has come and with it our need for accurate data. The gathering of this data presents both pros and cons. Some of the pros and cons listed in the article, “Savvy educators reveal secrets of reform,” include the following:

       Pros                                                                                       Cons

       1.       Increased student performance                               1. Lack of funding  

2.       Data to support individualized planning                 2. Inadequate infrastructure

3.       Decreased dropout rates                                          3. Inadequate professional development

4.       Innovative, out-the-box thinking                             

5.       Student-centered instruction

As indicated above, I believe the pros of technology assessment far outweigh the cons. The cons can actually be addressed and developed in a manner that makes each a pro. Assessments should not be feared, but embraced for the data gained.  After all “we need data to know where we need to make changes” (page 17).

Resource:

Stansbury, M. (2007). Savvy educators reveal secrets of reform. eSchool News, 10(9), 17.

My Second Web Conference!

Thursday, November 17, 2011 was the date of my second web-conference. This time I logged on at 7:45 p.m. and with less trepidation!

Here are my thoughts immediately following the web-conference:

Tonight was my second web-conference experience. It was quite informative. Tonight Dr. Borel shared many details regarding all the steps to successfully complete our internships. She also explained how our course schedule will be patterned for the next 18 months. There were a few problems with webcams and mics, but overall everyone seemed engaged.

I enjoy these discussions as they allow me to gain insight and hear valuable responses to the questions of others. I am going to use web-conferencing for staff development/meeting in the near future. I just have to assess who on our team is internet ready.

I successfully logged off at 9:02 p.m.

My First Web Conference Ever!

On Wednesday, November 16, 2011 I re-read the information on how to log on to a web-conference. I viewed a guide on youtube.com and prayed that I wouldn't mess it up. The official start time for the group's web-conference was 8:00 p.m. Students were welcomed to begin logging in at 7:45 p.m. Well I sat in front of my computer and logged on at 7:35 p.m. I just didn't want to mess up and miss it. What if my camera didn't work? Or, what would I do if my speaker or mic did not function? So much pressure...

Well here are the words that I wrote immediately after my first web-conference experience:

Tonight was my first time participating in a web-conference. It was a great experience! After successfully logging on to the site, I discovered how to activate my webcam, silence my mic, raise my electronic hand and communicate with the group. This web-conference allowed me to hear from and learn about my peers and my professor.  Web-conferencing is an awesome e-technology!

As you can see I made it through my first web-conference unscathed and greatly encouraged that I can do this technology thing!