Review of NETP

The National Educational Technology Plan rough draft was published March 5, 2010 because the Obama administration is urging technology use to ensure economic growth for our country. The plan discusses two goals that must meet by the year 2020. The plan states that the two goals are:

  

1. We will raise the proportion of college graduates from where it now stands [39%] so that 60% of our population holds a 2-year or 4-year degree.

2. We will close the achievement gap so that all students – regardless of race, income, or neighborhood – graduate from high school ready to succeed in college and careers.

     Learning will become a personalized process. To learn, we must come up with innovative practices that empower all learners. We must focus on what needs to be learned, along with when and where it will be learned.   Learners will have mobile access to instruction and learn though multimedia sources.  Learners will be using on-line social networks as a learning tool.

     Teaching will evolve from a solo activity to teams of connected teachers working together to provide instruction. Teachers will be fully connected to online teaching resources, tools, and each other. Teachers will be placed teams, not only for instructing, but for professional development.

     As teachers work in teams to instruct learning, they will have access to one another’s expertise. This sharing of ideas will improve instructional practices.  Online learning communities will allow teachers to continuously work on professional development, as compared to sporadic meetings where one skill is taught.

     One issue I see is funding for such changes in education. The NETR mentions in the beginning that states are facing reduced funding. Also, If learning will be 24/ 7/ 365, how will we ensure our students have equal access to the necessary technologies once they leave the school premises? Half of my classes still do not have access to a computer at home. Another issue I worry about is safeguarding student privacy in online learning communities. I definitely see the value, but see how they could attract undesirable communications (i.e.- Internet predators, cyberbullying). Who will monitor the activity going on in these online communities. 

E -rate/ BISD technology plan for EDTECH 5306

Exeecutive Summary of BISD Plan and E-RATE

E rate

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Summary of BISD Technology Plan

     Beaumont Independent School District has assembled a diverse technology planning committee to prepare a three -year plan that meets the requirements for applying for E-rate discounts. BISD currently has a 100% rate of direct connection to the Internet. It is the committee’s charge to find innovative uses for the wide area network in order to be in compliance with No Child Left Behind, as well as the Texas Long- Range Plan for Technology.  According to the BISD plan, the district is eligible for an 80% discount. The plan has been designed to be flexible as the future of technology evolves.  The plan is designed around three broad goals; each with several specific objectives. The goals are as follows:

Goal 1: Incorporate technology as an integral part of education.

Goal 2.  Provide staff development for all in the use of appropriate emerging technologies and their integration as a natural part of education.

Goal 3: Include technology-based systems when making district or campus instructional and management decisions.

Goal 4: The district will secure adequate funding for maintaining state-of-the art technology resources for all BISD facilities.

     District administrators use the STAR chart to assess the skill levels of teachers and areas for improvement. Professional development days in technology are planned based on the results of the STAR chart, even the superintendent. Nearly 1.2 million is spent on educator preparation and development.  Time for professional development is an area for concern. BISD is considering an online training model so that teachers may work as they have time. 

     The Director of Information Services meets daily with technicians to make sure hardware and software issues are addressed. Also, a campus technology liaison is in place in each campus as a first contact to help troubleshoot problems. BISD has 3.43 million dollars budgeted towards infrastructure.

     The plan states the need for technical and instructional technology personnel to support the use of technology in the classrooms. BISD is proposing to implement new positions in instructional technology. This validates the point made that our students (and possibly teachers obtaining masters in EDTECH) may work in careers not yet invented yet.

First Time Web Conference

Tonight I attended my very first web conference. I have used yahoo chat to "visit" with my sister over seas, but have never participated in an instuctor led group discussion. i must admit, I was nervous! I even contemplated putting on makeup and fixing my hair! I am glad I did not, because I could never get my camera to work. It appears to be an issue with using Mac. At first, there was feedback until we muted our mics. I learned that each screen seen is called a Pod. We talked about the 18 month internship and finding a mentor. I found out I will create my own Wiki at the end. I also need to pick out a book and read it. It was a very interesting evening. As a wife, mother of a toddler, and full time teacher, I hope I will be able to keep up with this fast paced course!

EDTECh week 2- BLOG 1

VALUE of TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT:

The Texas Vision plan has stated that the four domains of TEKS must be mastered by students when  they reach eighth grade.  In order to do this, educators need to monitor the budding skill levels of their students. We must survey our students to find out what they perceive their skill levels are.  I believe a shortened version of the  technology surveys  we filled out  for week one assignment help teachers, administrators, and students become aware of emerging technology comfort and skill levels. 

    Administrators must also understand the level of technology skills that their teacher populations have. One article from this week’s reading stated that students are capable of learning through technology even though the instructor was not comfortable with the particular program. I somewhat disagree.  If a teacher is not comfortable, he/ she will be less inclined to request funding for programs or include them into lesson plans.

The pro of technology assessment is that it allows students, teachers, and administrators to take a step back and critically assess their strengths and weaknesses. Also, if assessment is done yearly, loss or growth in each area will be seen. I found this to be true in looking at three years worth of my school’s campus STAR chart.   In my opinion, a con of the STAR chart is that some teachers may rush through the process. Therefore numbers may not be accurate from year to year. Also, I found the STAR chart to be weak in assessing what is really important: how technology is integrated into existing curricum.

   

Hi- First Time Blogger!

Hi! This is my first time to Blog! I am so excited! I am doing this for an EDTECH class, but have always been interested. I like to read blogs on photography, parenting, recent technology, teaching practices, and of all things, purses! This is going to be fun!