The Long Range Plan for Technology report is 112 page document that lays out the vision, the data behind the vision and the steps by which Texas will accomplish academic technology goals. The all-encompassing plan addresses students, parents, educators, and community members and the importance of digital education. From 2006 to 2020, Texas will take steps to evaluating the incorporation of more technology in the classroom. There are three phases and we just entered phase II 2011-2015. Phase III is 2016-2020 and the article says we must make continuous improvements no matter what level we are. We use the STaR Chart to evaluate our current practices. The STaR Chart has four levels; Early Tech, Developing Tech, Advanced Tech, and Target Tech. Our goal is for all teachers to be at the Advanced and Target Tech levels.
I agree with almost every aspect of the plan expansion and extension of eductors and resources may be necessary though not traditional. I did question when the plan mentioned expanding the scholastic age. I also wondered how are university level professors and programs adjusting to this shift. I believe that extending academics in the home through technology is probably the only way (at my school) that some educators will ever be able to incorporate homework and parents. I do not remember completing SBEC’s expectations of teachers with technology so I think we should as administrators, revisit and gently remind ourselves of those expectations. I do not even know if once we accomplish them, we are done. I question that because the STaR Chart is an annual survey we do so we can at least remind ourselves how we progress or not in technology. What is the accountability system when STaR Charts are stagnant and nonprogressive. In the perfect world, teachers would be self accountable but that is not a reality. Every year, the STaR Chart reminds me how pathetic I am in technology with my students. I am fine for myself but I am not the learner.
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