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