Educational Technology 2010

Check out this SlideShare Presentation: This is a presentation of Irving ISD Technology Plan

Educational Technology 2010

View more presentations from pjendiwa.

National Edcuation Technology Plan

According to the National Education Technology Plan (NETP) by 2020 the Obama administration would like to raise the proportion of college graduates and close the the achievement gap so that all students graduate high school ready to succed in college and careers. (NETP, 2010) For this to happen our education system must be clear about the outcomes we seek, collaborate to redesign structures and processes for effectiveness, efficiency, and flexibility, continually monitor and measure our performance, and hold ourselves accountable for progress and results every step of the way. (NETP, 2010)

The NETP has five key areas with goals and recommendations. They are that “All learners will have engaging and empowering learning experiences both in and outside of school that prepare them to be active, creative, knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our globally networked society. Our education system at all levels will leverage the power of technology to measure what matters and use assessment data for continuous improvement. Professional educators will be supported individually and in teams, by technology that connects them to data, content, resources, expertise, and learning experiences, that enable and inspire more effective teaching for all learners. All students and educators will have access to a comprehensive infrastructure for learning when and where they need it. Our education system at all levels will redesign processes and structures to take advantage of the power of technology to improve learning outcomes while making more efficient use of time, money, and staff.”(NETP, 2010) Technology is the key.

According to the NETP in the area of teaching and learning using technology is imperative. Because of the global communities we have access to now, learners must be able to function in the technological world we live in and educators must be able to teach it. This can only be done if we as educators focus on what and how we teach and implement technology. No more textbooks. We as educators today must realize that our students today have access to the whole wide world and we need to use it to make the learning environment and experience more engaging. Not only do the students have access to a global learning environment we as educators have access to more educators to collaborate with and an abundance of resources to use. Teaching and learning is no longer just while we are in school. Having a 21st century teaching and learning environment will bring about life long learners.

In regards to professional development and training the plan states the best way to prepare educators for 21st century teaching is for them to experience it. My question to this would be, “How does one experience it, if we don’t know how to use it?” According to the NETP, “Professional learning should support and develop educators’ identities as fluent users of advanced technology, creative and collaborative problem solvers, and adaptive, socially aware experts throughout their careers.” (NETP, 2010) Professional development in the area of technology is difficult and time consuming. One suggestion the plan gives is to use video-sharing tools. I like this because it enables me to watch at home anytime during the night. Another suggestion is social networking which allows for opportunities of collaboration and sharing of ideas.

To simply sum up I will use this quote from the NETP. “Today’s technology enables educators to tap into resources and orchestrate expertise across a school district or university, a state, the nation, and even around the world. Educators can discuss solutions to problems and exchange information about best practices in minutes, not weeks or months. Educators should have access to technology-based resources that inspire them to provide more engaging and effective learning opportunities and to do so more efficiently.” (NETP, 2010) In my opinion this does not just apply to professional learning but to student learning. If we are to actively engage student learning and transform the education system then we must jump head first into becoming a 21st century education to have 21st century learners.

Reference:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology. (2010). Transforming american education: learning powered by technology. draft national educational technology plan 2010

Irving Independent School District Technology Plan

Irving ISD current technology plan is a three year plan that covers four major areas; Integration of Technology into Teaching and Learning, Professional Development, Administration and Support Services, and the Infrastructure for Technology. This plan was prepared to define the district’s vision for technology and strategies needed to assist teachers and students in being successful in the 21^st century. It consists of seven goals. “Goal #1: Infuse higher level thinking with technology and quality instruction to ensure engaging learning experiences for all teachers and students. Goal #2: Support assessment and planning through the use of technology. Goal #3: Educate all students and teachers in responsible technology use. Goal #4: Ensure educator professional development is on-going, high quality, based on the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS), and increasing in rigor so that student learning and 21^st century skills are increased. Goal #5: Ensure 100% administrative participation in appropriate, current and new software programs. Goal #6: Provide leadership to leverage technology for the improvement of teaching and learning in every classroom daily. Goal #7: Ensure a stable and robust infrastructure for technology use.” (Irving ISD Long Range Plan for Technology, 2010-2013)

“The plan is aligned to components of the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology and complies with all state and federal regulations for technology planning. Other local, state, and national data that were reviewed were NCLB, E-rate, Technology Applications curriculum, SBEC Standards for teachers, ISTE, NETS standards and the Texas Star Chart results.” (Irving ISD Long Range Plan for Technology, 2010-2013)

Professional development opportunities are available throughout the school year and summer months for all staff. Some include training on acceptable use policies, internet safety, Microsoft Office, web-based data tools, digital media and online resources such as video streaming and Web2.0. All instructional staff is required to attend Levels of Technology Implementation (LoTI) Training. Those in charge of coordinating professional development opportunities include Content Coordinators, Director of Instructional Technology and Coordinators, and the Director of Staff Development. All staff will be kept up to date when new learning opportunities and new technologies are available through the Irving Independent School District website and emails.

District technology implementations are managed through project management tools with assigned responsibilities, timelines, and deadlines. Currently the district’s budget will support the non-discounted element of the plan, although it does have notations that an E-Rate discount may apply in various areas. The Long Range Technology Planning Committee meets at least once a year to review progress made toward the Long Range Plan for Technology. Reports are given to the superintendent and the Irving ISD board after each review. If there is a need the plan will be updated to reflect the current financial ability or the need to add new technologies.

Reference:

Irving Independent School District, Technology Department. (2010).  Long-range technology plan. Irving, TX:

Technology Assessments

Now that we are in a 21^st century world and technology has become so invaluable in our everyday lives it is imperative we know where educators and students technology skills and knowledge lie. If technology planning teams are to assist in the learning and implementing of technology they have to know how skilled the educators are. It is equally important to understand where our students are in regards to technology skills and knowledge. How can you know what needs to be taught if you don’t assess for what is already known. This is true for all areas of learning why would it be different for technology.

I think the biggest problem with technology assessments is that educators do not take them seriously. They often feel it is just more paperwork. So they quickly rush through it without really thinking about the importance of it. I find a bit of humor in that thinking though as how many times have we had a student redo something because we know they rushed through it just to get it done. We knew it would not give us an accurate assessment of their knowledge. The same goes for educators taking technology assessments.  The information needed from these assessments is important to our future and ongoing learning. Perhaps if administrators took the time to explain why it’s needed and what the information is exactly used for, educators would take them more seriously.  There is also concern from educators that these assessments can affect their performance evaluations. These “digital immigrants” (Prensky, M., 2006) the older generation of educators who may be more willing to try out the technology if they were give opportunities for more training.

I think the overall advantage to these assessments if taken seriously and responses are genuine can make moving forward into the world of technology implementation easier. Knowing the knowledge and skills levels of educators can tell administrators who can possibly be a mentor or trainer. I know on my own campus many times when someone has a question about technology or something is not working properly form them they call on me. I am not an expert, by no means but had a little more technology background then others. This is also reinforced in the classroom when you have students who are technology savvy. They can assist you in teaching especially if it is something you, the teacher, are unsure of or not comfortable in using. These assessments are not just about the abilities of the educator or student. They can also have impact on improving what technology is available for use within the classroom. These assessments give insight to what equipment and software may be needed.  

The assessments in my opinion are a necessary thing to fully understand what our students know about technology. According to Mark Prensky, “The only way to move forward effectively is to combine what they know about technology with what we know and require about education.” (Prensky, M., 2006) We can do this if we don’t assess.

Reference:

Prensky, M., (2005), Adopt and Adapt: Shaping Tech for the Classroom

Hello!

Hello everyone,
Well it's week two and I am still a little overwhelmed with this all. I look forward to blogging with you all and hope to make some new friends.