Hancock Elementary S Ta R Chart
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Friday, November 27, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Texas STaR Chart: Teaching and Learning
The area of the Texas STaR Chart that refers to teaching and learning emphasizes the key for all students to be successful is by assuring that they are fully engaged in their learning process and that there are many chances for them to be stimulated and initiate this engagement. Learning and teaching must focus on connecting to students' lives. It is imperative that students know how to acquire information.
Within our school district, there has been a higher expectation for teachers working towards student-centered learning with collaboration opportunities. Students work towards solving real-world problems. In Texas, since students come from such a diverse background accessing this technology will level the playing field for all students, regardless of their background. This distance learning can then extend past the state of Texas into other parts of the country and world. The collaboration is key!
Some trends in this area include Advanced Placement, dual-credit, and other courses required for graduation. In our district there has been great emphasis on teachers consistently using the TA TEKS appropriate for content and grade level. By integrating technology into the schools, there is a greater level of interest, inquiry, analysis, collaboration, creativity, and content production.
An area that I see still needing improvement is for all learners to have access to technology 24/7. Many students in our district come from homes that do not have access to technology. Even though juniors are issued laptops, if they do not have internet connection at their home, they are limited in using the laptops. Also, many sites are blocked on the laptops. The issued laptops are a beginning, but we still have a long way to go!
Within our school district, there has been a higher expectation for teachers working towards student-centered learning with collaboration opportunities. Students work towards solving real-world problems. In Texas, since students come from such a diverse background accessing this technology will level the playing field for all students, regardless of their background. This distance learning can then extend past the state of Texas into other parts of the country and world. The collaboration is key!
Some trends in this area include Advanced Placement, dual-credit, and other courses required for graduation. In our district there has been great emphasis on teachers consistently using the TA TEKS appropriate for content and grade level. By integrating technology into the schools, there is a greater level of interest, inquiry, analysis, collaboration, creativity, and content production.
An area that I see still needing improvement is for all learners to have access to technology 24/7. Many students in our district come from homes that do not have access to technology. Even though juniors are issued laptops, if they do not have internet connection at their home, they are limited in using the laptops. Also, many sites are blocked on the laptops. The issued laptops are a beginning, but we still have a long way to go!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Pre-K Technology Applications TEKS
When reviewing the PK Technology Guidelines it was surprising how similar they were to the K-2 Technology TEKS. Students in PK are expected to navigate software, use a variety of computer input devices, operate voice/sound recorders and touch screens, use software to create and express ideas, and recognize the information is accessible through the use of technology.
The PK guidelines lay the foundation for all other grade levels. Students who attend PK will be able to practice navigating software, use computer input devices, and learn how to access information. By having this foundation, these students will be much more secure in their use of technology. Being able to access technology as a four-year old provides these students with much more of an advantage compared to those students who are unable to attend PK.
The Technology Application TEKS are part of a spiraling curriculum. For example, students in PK are expected to use a variety of input devices. This TEK is then expected in kindergarten-grade 2 also. Students in PK are introduced to navigating software, yet this also is a TEK reinforced in kindergarten-grade 2 as well. Another TEK that I thought was very lofty for PK was how to access information through the use of technology. When I had reviewed the K-2 Technology TEKS I had seen that same TEK then and thought that was a high expectation at that level, so when I saw it in PK I was even more surprised.
Any student who is fortunate enough to attend PK in Texas will have a strong foundation to build upon in regards to technology. They will have an extra advantage to helping them be prepared in the 21st Century.
The PK guidelines lay the foundation for all other grade levels. Students who attend PK will be able to practice navigating software, use computer input devices, and learn how to access information. By having this foundation, these students will be much more secure in their use of technology. Being able to access technology as a four-year old provides these students with much more of an advantage compared to those students who are unable to attend PK.
The Technology Application TEKS are part of a spiraling curriculum. For example, students in PK are expected to use a variety of input devices. This TEK is then expected in kindergarten-grade 2 also. Students in PK are introduced to navigating software, yet this also is a TEK reinforced in kindergarten-grade 2 as well. Another TEK that I thought was very lofty for PK was how to access information through the use of technology. When I had reviewed the K-2 Technology TEKS I had seen that same TEK then and thought that was a high expectation at that level, so when I saw it in PK I was even more surprised.
Any student who is fortunate enough to attend PK in Texas will have a strong foundation to build upon in regards to technology. They will have an extra advantage to helping them be prepared in the 21st Century.
Long-Range Plan
WOW! I had no idea how thorough the long-range plan for technology in the state of Texas was! It is hard to believe that Phase I will be coming to a close soon and that it will soon be evaluated to determine the plan of action for Phase II. I particularly liked the comprehensiveness of the plan to include goals for students, teachers, leaders, and the infrastructure.
I definitely agree with the need for the change. School as I knew it growing up (and it wasn't that long ago!) has changed considerably. I've even noticed the impact of technology with my eleventh grader and seventh grader. My seventh grader is using technology applications much sooner than my daughter who is a junior. The educational system does need to prepare our students for the future, whether students choose to continue their education or join the work force. To enhance the level of engagement, teachers must help students see the how technology helps them learn and how it can be used in all areas of their life by helping them learn how to acquire information.
I was surprised by the survey of teachers that only 57% felt that student performance was impacted by student engagement. I would have expected it to be a much higher percentage. As a leader I need to keep in mind that teachers feel that technology has made their job easier, so I will need to continue to find ways to use technology to assist teachers in making their job easier.
I found the section on educator preparation and development very informative. That is a very critical piece to the success of the plan. As a leader, I will want to be part of that staff development with teachers so I can embrace the learning with them and model the use of technology as well.
One of the biggest hurdles I found in the plan is the budget to support the technology. I know our district is in a financial bind and I'm wondering how this will impact technology.
I agree with all aspects of the plan, so embracing the plan as a leader will be something I can support. My biggest goal will be modeling the use of technology and gathering data regarding the technology. I want my staff to be open about their use of technology and share concerns and celebrations with me.
I definitely agree with the need for the change. School as I knew it growing up (and it wasn't that long ago!) has changed considerably. I've even noticed the impact of technology with my eleventh grader and seventh grader. My seventh grader is using technology applications much sooner than my daughter who is a junior. The educational system does need to prepare our students for the future, whether students choose to continue their education or join the work force. To enhance the level of engagement, teachers must help students see the how technology helps them learn and how it can be used in all areas of their life by helping them learn how to acquire information.
I was surprised by the survey of teachers that only 57% felt that student performance was impacted by student engagement. I would have expected it to be a much higher percentage. As a leader I need to keep in mind that teachers feel that technology has made their job easier, so I will need to continue to find ways to use technology to assist teachers in making their job easier.
I found the section on educator preparation and development very informative. That is a very critical piece to the success of the plan. As a leader, I will want to be part of that staff development with teachers so I can embrace the learning with them and model the use of technology as well.
One of the biggest hurdles I found in the plan is the budget to support the technology. I know our district is in a financial bind and I'm wondering how this will impact technology.
I agree with all aspects of the plan, so embracing the plan as a leader will be something I can support. My biggest goal will be modeling the use of technology and gathering data regarding the technology. I want my staff to be open about their use of technology and share concerns and celebrations with me.
Technology Skills Assessment
After completing the Technology Applications Inventory and the SETDA District Survey, I realized that although I feel like I know technology pretty well, I have several areas to grow in! The Technology Applications Inventory revealed that I do know the “basics” of technology and could share that knowledge comfortably with teachers. Completing the research class helped me grow in the information acquisition domain. Although I am stronger in the foundations and information acquisition domains, I have lots of growth needed in solving problems with technology tools and the communications domain. I need more experience with spreadsheets, databases, multimedia projects. What surprised me the most was the communication domain. After completing the inventory, I realized that although I use technology in my job to communicate with teachers, I do not use technology in a variety of ways to communicate. I really need to learn more about communicating using more multimedia presentation styles.
While completing the SETDA District Survey, I realized I still have much knowledge to gain regarding district implementation of technology. Although our district has a technology department that trains us in many avenues of technology, I realized I do not know the impact the technology is having on the students. Although we work closely with the technology department to embed technology in each of the content areas, I do not know if the use of technology is impacting student achievement in those core content areas. Nor do I know if data is being collected to determine if technology is impacting students’ 21st Century Skills, student engagement, or student proficiency with technology. I need to visit with the technology department to see if/how this data is being collected. What pleased me the most about completing the survey was verifying all the training on technology that is offered to our teachers and the expectation of using technology in the classroom. The only part of technology that isn’t included in our district for students is their own email. Our district also has been working hard at the student:computer ratio. Currently the ratio at the elementary is 1:2.75, at the middle schools 1:2.88, and 1:2 at the high schools.
Completing both the inventory and survey has taught me areas I need to gain more information in. I will be visiting with our technology coordinator to determine how data is being collected on the impact of using technology with students. I also will be trying to learn more about multimedia presentation styles, along with getting some experience in creating spreadsheets and databases.
While completing the SETDA District Survey, I realized I still have much knowledge to gain regarding district implementation of technology. Although our district has a technology department that trains us in many avenues of technology, I realized I do not know the impact the technology is having on the students. Although we work closely with the technology department to embed technology in each of the content areas, I do not know if the use of technology is impacting student achievement in those core content areas. Nor do I know if data is being collected to determine if technology is impacting students’ 21st Century Skills, student engagement, or student proficiency with technology. I need to visit with the technology department to see if/how this data is being collected. What pleased me the most about completing the survey was verifying all the training on technology that is offered to our teachers and the expectation of using technology in the classroom. The only part of technology that isn’t included in our district for students is their own email. Our district also has been working hard at the student:computer ratio. Currently the ratio at the elementary is 1:2.75, at the middle schools 1:2.88, and 1:2 at the high schools.
Completing both the inventory and survey has taught me areas I need to gain more information in. I will be visiting with our technology coordinator to determine how data is being collected on the impact of using technology with students. I also will be trying to learn more about multimedia presentation styles, along with getting some experience in creating spreadsheets and databases.
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