Texas S Ta R Chart Pp
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Sunday, November 29, 2009
Week 2 Infrastructure for Technology
I personally feel that all of the four Key Areas hinge on the area of Infrastructure for Technology. This Key Area is one of the most improving areas from our campus to the state level, but that is not enough. The ability to get all the Key Areas to Target Tech by 2020, will be a direct result of how timely we get the Key Area of Infrastructure of Technology to Target Tech. Honestly, what can a teacher do with 2-5 computers in his/her room…almost nothing. I have tried myself and seen others as they try and fail to fully utilize technology and online program in their classrooms.
Recently, myself and three other grade level teachers have been albe to increase our student computer ratio to 2:1. That is two students to every 1 computer in our classroom. Our interest in online programs and technology driven lesson plans have greatly increased. Technology has become a key part of our communication and lesson planning.
What brought about this change is key. Our 4th grade team asked for Read Naturally, a program for building comprehension and fluency, Study Island, a prove for practice TEKS with games used for motivation, and Raz-Kids, a leveled reading program. When we got these programs from stimulus funding, we dug every computer and thin client out of storage. These computers are now fully used from the time school starts till it ends.
If teachers have more access to technology within his/her classroom, then in return, they will seek more professional development, be more willing to apply technology TEKS, and more pressure will be placed on the administration to support the teachers with technology needs.
Until you see a closer 1:1 ratio of computer in classroom, you will continue to see teachers avoiding training and the use of technology.
Recently, myself and three other grade level teachers have been albe to increase our student computer ratio to 2:1. That is two students to every 1 computer in our classroom. Our interest in online programs and technology driven lesson plans have greatly increased. Technology has become a key part of our communication and lesson planning.
What brought about this change is key. Our 4th grade team asked for Read Naturally, a program for building comprehension and fluency, Study Island, a prove for practice TEKS with games used for motivation, and Raz-Kids, a leveled reading program. When we got these programs from stimulus funding, we dug every computer and thin client out of storage. These computers are now fully used from the time school starts till it ends.
If teachers have more access to technology within his/her classroom, then in return, they will seek more professional development, be more willing to apply technology TEKS, and more pressure will be placed on the administration to support the teachers with technology needs.
Until you see a closer 1:1 ratio of computer in classroom, you will continue to see teachers avoiding training and the use of technology.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Pre-K Technology Applications TEKS
In an attempt to promote school readiness, TEA has established Pre-K Technology Application TEKS. This an effort to ensure students are technology proficient by the end of 8th grade. The Pre-K TEKS are designed to prepare preschool students to begin school. TEKS begin to be introduces in a lower degree and continues to be introduce at a more challenging degree through the 8th grade. This spiraling of the TEKS will ensure that students will become proficient by the end of 8th grade. Spiraling the TEKS in such a way allows student to revisit and relearn needed technology skills from year to year. Students will continue to revisit vocabulary and keyboarding skill and other TEKS with increasing difficulty.
Analysis of the Long-Range Plan
Prior to this class, I did not even know that a Long-Range Plan for technology even existed. Since the administrators are ultimately responsible for all curriculum on his/her campus, them it is imperative that administrators and instructional leaders knowledgable concerning the technology standards set by the State Board of Education.
As an administrator, it would be important to make sure that your staff receive the proper professional development and that they in return are able to provide opportunities for the students to learn and aquire the needed skills for each grade level. These grade level technology skills should be reflected in each teacher’s lesson plans.
As an administrator, it would be important to make sure that your staff receive the proper professional development and that they in return are able to provide opportunities for the students to learn and aquire the needed skills for each grade level. These grade level technology skills should be reflected in each teacher’s lesson plans.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Week 1 Technology Assessment Reflection
I found all the assessments to be very detailed and specific. The first assessment, The Technology Application Inventory, seemed easier to understand and I was quickly able to complete the assessment. I felt it provide good feedback that easily allowed me to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses. The SETDA Surveys were more detailed and also provided good insight for areas of improvement, especially in my relevant teaching area. It was also interesting to see how my perspective changed when I was thinking for “my” classroom needs verses the “whole” campus’ needs.
When I began this assessment, I felt very confident with my technology skills, but it didn’t take long for me to see I have lots of areas to improve in. I have more strengths in the Foundations area. I scored well in the Information Acquisition domain. Although I know how to use the internet to search, I am unfamiliar with how to work with graphics. My areas for improvement was definitely in the domains of Solving Problems and Communication.
As an administrator, I feel I can be a leader for the 21st century technology standards. I personally keep 10 computers running all day in my classroom. I have knowledge as how to network computers and I am very involved with researching grade appropriate programs for elementary students. Although I have felt comfortable with my technology skills and have been very open to training other colleagues on using or current technology, I am now very aware of the need to improve my terminology and get more experience and training with higher level applications.
When I began this assessment, I felt very confident with my technology skills, but it didn’t take long for me to see I have lots of areas to improve in. I have more strengths in the Foundations area. I scored well in the Information Acquisition domain. Although I know how to use the internet to search, I am unfamiliar with how to work with graphics. My areas for improvement was definitely in the domains of Solving Problems and Communication.
As an administrator, I feel I can be a leader for the 21st century technology standards. I personally keep 10 computers running all day in my classroom. I have knowledge as how to network computers and I am very involved with researching grade appropriate programs for elementary students. Although I have felt comfortable with my technology skills and have been very open to training other colleagues on using or current technology, I am now very aware of the need to improve my terminology and get more experience and training with higher level applications.
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