The Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology addresses four key areas: Infrastructure for Technology, Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development, and Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support. Goals have been set in place where all students should have their own workstation. The short term goal is that the ratio is three students to every workstation. Just having access to technology is not enough. The resources need to be available for all learners and educators to grow and apply the knowledge. Some initiatives that have been put into place are: increase funding for technology, technology allotment toward textbook funds, and allotment providing $30 per student. As educators pursue distance learning for technology, I would think funding would need to be reviewed and revised for this. I did not see any mention of this in the report. Educators and administrators need paid professional time off for training, professional development, and instructional management in integrating technology into the classrooms. I believe this training must be ongoing. Technology is always changing and therefore educators and learner must remain current.
The report indicates that there are several initiatives that are in place. One that stands out to me is TENET, The Texas Education Network providing services to public schools through electronic network resources. Our districts just started to purchase ebooks for all campuses. They are in the process of developing a website for all the ebooks so teachers and students can access them from home. I was told that this was a very cost effective infrastructure.
The Long-Range Plan for Technology set a timeline of event and accomplishments. According to the report, great efforts and actions have taken place to better improve technology in education.
No comments:
Post a Comment