I have reviewed a promising proposition presented by the TEA to its state's governing body: The Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020. (http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/technology/lrpt/LRPTCompleteDec06.pdf) Stakeholders of the education community would all benefit from this long range mission of expanding the educational environment to include a variety of technologies in our education system by the year 2020.
With change in technology and its uses taking place all over the planet, Texas schools must take the plunge and make advancements toward including this extremely important piece as part of the education system. From paying bills to teaching in our schools, technology is impacting the globe. Texas must empower its educators and students to live and compete in a global society by providing the necessary skills and resources to teach and learn with a variety of technology tools. Because our students today are becoming technology rich, we need to embrace the trend by tailoring teaching to individual learning styles. We must teach both traditional and technical skills to help prepare them sufficiently.
In a 2005 survey of Texas educators, mostly classroom teachers, results showed that although teachers and students were using technology, many areas needed attention. Teachers reported that their jobs were made easier by using technology, but they lacked sufficient professional development to help them to better implement new programs. The need for integrating technology into the curriculum and having a useful school website were important factors. Barriers exist making teachers' jobs all the more challenging. Lack of time and resources were a big factor in hindering them from providing lessons utilizing technology.
Recommendations to state and local agencies call for provisions for meeting the technological needs in education. In addition, collaboration amongst parents, the community and private sector needs to take place. With all stakeholders taking this bull by the horn, the vision seems within reach. In the meantime, we can do our part as teachers to get adequate technology training when possible and keep the ball rolling by supporting our administrators and technology liaisons with our attempts at growth in a technology rich classroom.
As teachers we are provided with many resources. At times those resources can be overwhelming. We naturally pick and choose what we use and what we pack up an put away. It is very difficult to hide the amount of technology that is visible on my campus. However if is a little threatening when you are incapable of properly utilizing it due to the lack of basic skills. Last month we received two new copy machines on my campus. We were not allowed to make copies until we were properly trained on how to use them. Needless to say the level of frustration on campus was high. When we are cut off from a basic need such as making a simple copy due to lack of knowledge; undue stress arises.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is intended to make our lives easier. We must however be provided with the tools needed in order to incorporate it into our day to day classroom happenings.