CCISD Flowchart

Action Report - Technology

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Web Conference Reflection

I gained several valuable insights from my participation in the Web Conference on Saturday, March 12th.  For starters, I actually learned how to participate in one.  I really wish my computer was equipped with a cameral a microphone but it was still interesting to listen.  It was also nice because I know that the equipment is not necessary to gather information and participate.  It was nice to put a face to my professor and I really felt that she is willing to help in any way possible.  Sometimes the on-line courses feel very impersonal and this is a nice way to feel connected. 

I got several good ideas and suggestions.  When I go to take the LCE I will definately be staying for the review afterwards because several people said it was beneficial even if you passed.  It was also brought to my attention that you don't actually site personal interviews on your reference page.  Several students began brainstorming ways of using web conferencing within their classrooms and it made me think of possibilities also.  I know several other math teachers that we could share data or presentations with and allow students to incorporate this technology.

Overall, it was a positive experience.  I don't know that I have the knowledge to create a web conference of my own yet, but I can at least say I participated in one.

Calhoun is a Rising STaR

This presentation will explain the use of the STaR chart and provide data from Calhoun High School.

Texas STaR chart powerpoint

View more presentations from Lamar_caylor.

Summary and Reflection - National Educational Technology Plan

The National Educational Technology Plan: Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology sets goals and provides recommendations for improving the use of technology within our nation's schools. President Obama has set two major goals he hopes to accomplish by 2020. The first is for 60% of the population to hold a two or four year degree. The second goal is to decrease the achievement gaps based on race, location, and economic status. The plan encourages the formation of a connected teaching model where teachers have access to resources and can create learner-centered communities to help share ideas. The plan denotes the importance of creating a learning environment that will encourage and help all students graduate high school ready to continue their education and prepared for the technology-based jobs of the 21st century. Teachers need to be able to teach on-line courses and prepared to individualize and differentiate instruction so that students stay engaged.

The plan had five major goals focused around using technology to improve student learning. The first goal encourages schools to create learning experiences that prepare students for our global society. The second goal encourages using technology to assess and continually monitor student learning rather than depending solely on end-of-year testing. Another goal focuses on providing educators the proper resources and training to improve and upgrade their teaching to match this new connected teaching model. The fourth goal outlines the need for an infrastructure to support this type of teaching and learning. The fifth goal centers around building an educational system that uses technology to improve learning while minimizing cost and other limited resources.

There were a couple of points that concerned me. In several places the plan mentioned how colleges need to work to reduce dropout rates. I believe they will have to shift their teaching and learning strategies but I don't want to see standards lowered just so we meet a goal of 60% postsecondary graduates.

I was also disturbed by the notion that "a classroom educator's primary job is understood to be covering the assigned content and ensuring that students test well" ("National Educational Technology Plan", 2010, p. 39). I take offense to the idea that our job is simply to make sure students test well. I don't believe current educators view their job as this and it demoralizes the profession to describe it as such.


Office of Educational Technology U.S. Department of Education. (2010). National Educational Technology Plan: Transforming American Education. Retrieved from http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/NETP-2010-final-report.pdf

Reflection - Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology

Technology Immersion Pilot sounds like an interesting idea and I do believe it is beneficial to pilot a program like this before investing that sort of money into personal computers for each student. It was interesting to read about how they had a control group and an immersion group. One of the principals described it as a student-centered program because it is so much work for teachers. I believe this is an accurate statement and immersing students and teachers with computers would be very challenging for many educators. It appeared the administration had to be a very strong supporter of this program and encourage and enforce the use of the technology. I would have liked to have read about any possible negative impacts of the Technology Immersion Pilot program. It does not seem realistic to leave that feedback out of the progress report.

As a student working toward an on-line degree, it was intrigued by the idea of Texas beginning to implement online courses through TxVSN. I can see the definite benefits of offering courses online. Most importantly, it offers students from any part of the state the opportunity to receive quality instruction on a wide variety of courses. Students can take courses unavailable on campus due to lack of resources or unqualified instructors. This also prepares students for postsecondary education because many universities offer on-line courses or degree programs. It has become a common and proven effective method of instruction.

Although I see the purpose and benefit of an on-line community for educators to share information, I believe traditional training will be necessary also. I believe the most challenging component of fully integrating technology will be training current educators. I believe the goals of the vision reflect the needs of today but with technology changing so rapidly, it will be interesting to see how the Texas long-range plan is revised.

Texas Education Agency. (2008). Progress Report on the Long-Range
Plan for Technology, 2006-2020. Retrieved from http://www.learning.com/pdfs/TEA-Progress-Report-Long-Range-Tech-Plan.pdf

Opinion - Texas Long Range Plan for Technology

The Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 (2006) provides an outline for how teachers and students are expected to use technology. The Teaching and Learning area focuses on integrating technology into the classroom so that students have access to diverse educational resources. Technology allows students opportunities to visualize and experience ideas that are otherwise unavailable because of location or resources. If utilized effectively, it also provides individualized student learning. Distance learning provides a way for students to successfully complete coursework that some districts might not be able to provide because of size or location. Integrating technology into the classroom engages students and allows them to analyze data and create products that reflect their knowledge.

The state wants students to be able to use technology to acquire and analyze data, determine its effectiveness and relativity, and use that data to create a product that appropriately conveys that knowledge. Teachers and students are experimenting and learning how to gather information and use it to solve problems.

Most campuses are still at the Developing Tech stage where instruction is still teacher-directed. Students are beginning to use technology to communicate and present information but it has to go beyond typing up papers and creating PowerPoint presentations. Although most campuses teach at least two technology courses, this does not reflect the goal of students mastering technology and integrating it into foundation areas. Locally, we offer several different technology courses but that is the extent of technology within the classroom. Very few teachers use it as a part of student learning, rather as a tool to improve organization or communication between educators. I would suggest providing continued education for teachers on how to use technology for student learning. I also believe we need to look at the local curriculum and integrate the TA TEKS within the each content area. Instructional leaders also need to provide examples and suggestions on how to effectively implement these TA TEKS. Staff training also needs to occur so teachers can use technology to analyze local and state assessments and individualize instruction.

Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020. (November 2006). Retrieved from http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=5082&menu_id=2147483665.