Key Ideas of the Long Range Plan for Technology

SUMMARY OF KEY IDEAS


Long-Range Plan for Technology
Summary of Key Ideas
Vision 2020
All professional educators must master the SBEC Technology Applications standards. This professional development must be available 24/7. Adequate technical support must be available and funding must be provided for effective implementation of the technology plan. Internet access and a web portal must be available to all. Phase I strategies must be reviewed and revised frequently. Learners must use technology in real world learning experiences. Educators must use technology in effective teaching-learning processes. Leaders must create technology rich environments. Infrastructure must support all students with appropriate technologies.

Defining the Need for Change
Teaching and learning must empower students to live and learn in the 21st century. We must plan for a future that serves all citizens.

Introducing the 21st Century Learner
Today’s students rely on technology in every aspect of their lives.

Teacher Voices
Teachers indicate the primary impact of technology is increased student engagement, student achievement and collaboration. 55% of teachers rate their technology skills as average and the majority say technology makes their job easier and it increases communication with parents. The main barrier to using technology is the lack of time.

Teaching and Learning
Educators must make learning more engaging and relevant to students and prepare them to live, think, and communicate in the 21st century. Learners must have access to individualized instruction 24/7. They must construct knowledge and provide solutions to real-world problems. Students must use research based strategies in all subject areas to improve academic achievement and communicate effectively with diverse audiences. These students must be active participants in the learning process and that wanting to learn more and acquiring information is a valuable part of learning.

Educator Preparation and Development
All educators must utilize current technology in instructional and administrative practices in Pre K through 12. They must know how to utilize technology effectively in the teaching-learning process. Learning must be collaborative, interactive and customized for the individual learner. Educators must integrate appropriate technology throughout all curriculum. They must engage students and effectively measure what students are learning.

Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Support
Leaders must budget for a technology plan to improve student learning and provide environments to maximize teaching and learning and community involvement. They must offer expanded curricula and vary instructional opportunities to students. Relevant staff development in a variety of formats must be offered and they should expect and plan appropriate technology throughout the teaching and learning process. Finally, leaders should use data in decision making and model the effective use of technologies.

Infrastructure for Technology
Infrastructure system should provide e-learning technologies 24/7 for all users and provide technical assistance to support teaching and learning. All data should be secure and accurate and interoperability and accessibility for all users.

Study of Needs
The Texas Long Range Plans for Technology and the STaR Charts show significant progress has been made but more is needed in the areas of funding, support and leadership of educational technology to districts, strategies to measure the progress of students, telecommunication discounts and software interoperability.

As an instructional leader who is guiding technology, what I have learned will allow me to focus on the areas that need improvement. Most of which revolves around increased funding and my main focus would be in acquiring as much funding and support as possible. Seeking grants and contributions from businesses and industry in the community would be another avenue to pursue.