Reflection for 5364 - Teaching with Technology

In reflecting on the CAST Lesson Builder I must say I was not that impressed. Maybe I missed the boat. I was hoping to be able to put the modified resources right with in the lesson plan. I know there was a way to put a hyperlink that could link to a URL but where were the modification tools to read the directions or to embed a video or attach an image. As I was creating the lesson and keeping all this in mind I wanted to be able to gather and link and attach these things right then while I was creating the lesson. This was frustrating to have to move outside the builder to make these notes so I would not forget them. I would also have liked the ability to link our lessons with in the unit we are creating. That way all the lessons are tied together and you can access them and hyper link them with vocabulary etc in trying to meet the needs of our diverse learners.

In the sample lessons there were the UDL Connections links but I could not figure out how to access that as I created my lesson. I think the plan is thorough though and helps one think through a valid lesson cycle. I liked the Word template and the ability to print it to .pdf.

TX Long Range Technology Plan: Leadership, Administration & Instructional Support

Leadership, administration and instructional support are crucial to the success of the Texas Long Range Plan. Without effective leadership to put it into practice the plan is only a plan. There needs to be a clear vision and expectations that teachers will embrace the change required and with support be able to transform their classrooms and help equip their students to be productive in today’s technological society. Administration is key to successful implementation of the ideas in this plan. They need to be advocators as their teachers work to meet the new “digital” learning styles of their students. They must embrace these ideas and themselves empower their teachers to transform their teaching. They need to model the use of technology themselves.

Administrators must make a plan for technology implementation on their campuses bringing key stakeholders into the process. They need to determine how to effectively asses the needs of their campus developing and motivating strong leaders that will bring about the effective implementation of this plan. “As leaders, administrators must envision, fund and asses the use of technology in schools.” It is important that administrators advocate for and support strong staff development and also put effective technical support in place.

Administration has made progress in these areas. Nationally funding has been provided and standards have been set. Models of effective implementation have been showcased at the state level and districts have been encouraged to write effective execution plans. The state’s recent revisiting of the plan shows the document to be more relevant and executable. It takes into consideration the steps that have already been taken and revisits where we still need to go. At the local level districts and campuses have made great strides in putting the plan into action. In Leander we have developed a technology role out plan for hardware and infrastructure. Our administrators have been a part of the role out plan and have challenged themselves with creating their own EATS (Educational Administrative Technology Skills). They have created a matrix and continually meet in professional learning communities, attend staff development and model these skills to increase their proficiencies. They have started to embrace the elements of the Long Range Plan into their campus improvement plans and have enlisted the help of their faculties to provide input.

Trends in this area seem to be feeling the urgency that we are “not there yet”. It seems that although we have come far and continue to progress we seem to still have so far to go. Change is becoming the constant and it is hard to “keep up” and put in place what needs to be there.

We need to stay the course, continue to pursue funding and hold our faculties accountable for implementation. Without leadership and admin supporting and advocating for teachers to embrace technology the plan will not be implemented. “Strong leadership at all levels can make the vision for technology a reality across all four areas of this plan.”

To access the Texas Long Range Technology Plan
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/technology/lrpt/LRPTCompleteDec06.pdf

Cypress Star Chart

This data lets us know where the areas are that we need to work on. Together with admin and your technical support team we will assist you in bringing Cypress to a higher level of technology use and the result will be a rise toward Target Tech on our skills.

Cypress Star Chart

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