Reflections on Instructional Leadership: The Technology Link

I learned a lot of new information related to technology assessment in school districts and technology TEKS and their implementation in the classroom. The basis for students becoming 21st century learners is outlined in The Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology. This plan summarizes what is expected in Texas school districts for the next 10 years. I realize this plan is dynamic and must be evaluated and revised on a constant basis. I have a greater understanding of how school districts technology is evaluated and its needs assessed by the Texas Campus STaR Chart. My campuses STaR chart revealed what I feel we have exhibited at my campus, that is a regression in technology integration into the classroom. This is mainly due to aging equipment and by not allowing teachers to attend outside the district professional development.
Becoming familiar with the technology TEKS was important for me so that I may incorporate them into the technology projects that I do in my Biology classes. Cyber ethics and copyright laws is another area that I must incorporate within my projects. I understand wikis, podcasting and blogs. The technology at my school should allow me to incorporate blogs into my classes. I can see the beneficial aspects by allowing students, “ the natives”, to use the technology and devices they use on a daily basis and incorperate them into a learning environment. I and most other teachers are the “digital immigrants” must adjust our teaching styles to prepare our students for the 21st century. We must utilize students wireless internet capable phones to help fill the void and lack of our districts technology equipment.

I would have liked to learn a little more about technology curriculum and how to implement technology within different disciplines. I would really like to integrate much more technology into my curriculum and I believe that this would be possible by attending more professional development in this area; however, this must be supported by the campus principal and district. Second, a lack of functioning equipment is an obstacle to the integration of technology. I would suggest the district pursue grant money and contributions by businesses. There must be a constant influx of money and equipment to keep pace with today’s changing advancements in technology.

The assignments were able to be accomplished and were beneficial for the most part. The most difficult part was the lack of information within the district such as the accountability flow chart and lack of technology implementation within the DIC and CIC plans. Even after numerous email’s, phone call’s and interviews, I was not able to get many of the questions answered. Many times I had to go to different districts websites and extrapolate that information into my district.

I realized that by brainstorming and problem solving, many of the obstacles encountered may be overcome. These problem solving skills are necessary for our students to be successful in the 21st century. As a leader, it is important that I model the use of technology and embrace the exploring of new methods to integrate technology in the classroom. As with anything new, evaluation and revisions must be constantly ongoing and leaders as well as teachers must understand that everything will not work exactly right the first time.

Blogs have the potential to be the teaching tool of the 21st century. They allow students to interact with other classmates from remote locations other than the classroom. Students may ask questions, discuss assignments, share ideas, etc. all from outside the school. For blogs to work, students must be taught cyber ethics and the rules of cyber space. Blogs are also an excellent tool for communicating with all school stakeholders within a community. They allow the dissemination of information and provide a means for getting feedback and discussions of that information.

New Braunfels High School Technology Integration Action Plan

Vision: The students in the New Braunfels schools deserve the best education. In order for our students to be competitive in gaining entrance to a college or university and/or competitive in the workforce, they must be prepared for their futures. Part of that preparation involves the use of technology. Students in the NBISD schools will have access to information via the Internet and on-line library databases. This access allows for real-time information presented at critical times of the instructional process, and is more authentic than using only what is provided in textbooks. Every child in America needs 21st century knowledge and skills to succeed as effective citizens, workers and leaders in the 21st century.

Mission Statement: In order to successfully face rigorous higher education coursework, career challenges, and a globally competitive workforce, New Braunfels schools must align classroom environments with real world environments focusing on 21st century skills. In order to ensure the accomplishment of the goals and objectives in this plan, New Braunfels ISD must commit to providing the highest level of technology and assistance available.

Goals: Students goals shall include:
• Information and communication skills (information and media literacy skills, communication skills)
• Thinking and problem-solving (critical thinking and systems thinking, problem identification, formulation and solution, creativity and intellectual curiosity)
• Interpersonal and self-direction skills (interpersonal and collaborative skills, self-direction, accountability and adaptability, social responsibility)
•Global awareness
•Financial, economic and business literacy, and developing entrepreneurial skills to enhance workplace productivity and career options
• Civic literacy

Needs Assessment: The district has been working over the last few years to provide equity of services to all campuses. Every campus now has a principal with additional instructional support. At the secondary campuses, there is one assistant principal for each grade level. Each campus has had one full-time library media specialist since the 2004-2005 school years. All campuses have a full time Technology Aide supported by the Technology Curriculum Integration Specialists and the Technology Department. New Braunfels ISD has received numerous TIF(Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund) grants to install networks (LANs) in all eleven campuses. The district hired a full-time Director of Instructional Technology and secretary in 1997,and a Network Specialist and PC technician in 1998. A District Technology Committee was formed in the fall of 1997 and has been very active in technology decision-making.
The StaR Chart show the trends at New Braunfels HS over the past 6 years in various areas of technology. The dramatic change in Infrastructure is probably due to aging equipment as it corresponds to a grant received in 2005-2006.

New Braunfels High School STaR

Teaching & Learning
Educator Preparation and Development
Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support
Infrastructure for Technology
2003-04
15
13
15
16
2004-05
12
14
11
11
2005-06
12
12
11
10
2006-07
13
12
14
16
2007-08
15
14
14
19
2008-09
14
12
13
16

NBHS’s Strengths
The Key Area of Infrastructure for Technology is NBHS’s greatest strength. We rated Advanced in this area, just as the majority of the campuses in the state. The number of computers to student ratio is growing as our computers are aging and many are not working now with no known plans of repairing or replacing them. Our technical support has diminished to just a few individuals servicing the entire district and many teachers are having problems with internet connectivity.

NBHS’s Weaknesses
NBHS is classified as developing technology in 3 of the 4 areas; Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development, and Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support. The area that scored the lowest with 12 points was Educator Preparation and Development. No teacher’s are allowed to attend staff development outside the district. Teachers that previously attended professional technology instruction now are only able to attend what our district provides which is minimal on the levels teachers need.

Organizational Chart for New Braunfels High School Technology Integration

Responsibilities in Area of Technology
NBISD School Board
Approve District Technology Plan and technology budget.
NBISD Superintendent
Conveys information between school board and campuses. Makes recommendations to school board.
Director of Technology
Leader of District Technology Committee, controls district technology budget, hires central office technology personnel, responsible for district technology infrastructure, district technology maintenance, computer inventory, and software licensing.
District Instructional Technology Specialist
Plans and facilitates professional development activities for classroom teachers on integrating technology into all curricular areas. Responsible for training staff in the use of programs and equipment used for instruction.
Information Systems Manager
Develops and manages the district and campus websites and is involved in the Districts Technology Committee.
Server Manager
Manages the district and campus servers.
PC and MAC Technicians
Responsible for maintaining districts technology assets and assuring that technology may be implemented into the classroom.
District Technology Committee
Composed of 28 people. Reviews and revises District Technology Plan. Recommends professional development opportunities and equipment purchases.
Campus Principal
Head of Campus Improvement Committee, directs spending of campus technology funds, evaluates campus needs, evaluates campus teaching staff, plans campus staff development.
Model Teachers
Assist classroom teachers in planning technology integration lessons and modeling lessons demonstrating effective technology integration.
Teachers
Implement the integration of technology into the classroom.

New Braunfels HS Technology Professional Development Goals:
-Enhance teaching and learning through the use of technology.
-Educators will be able to insure the integration of appropriate technology and technology application TEKS throughout the core curriculum.
-Develop new learning environments that utilize technology to where the learning is collaborative, interactive, and customized.
-Support personal growth by providing mini grant program for teachers to seek funds for professional development.
-Technology Curriculum Integration Specialists will assist teachers to be instructional leaders.
-Continue and expand the mentoring program for teachers who want to become campus leaders in technology integration.
-Develop strategies for quality implementation.

Evaluation Plan
The district evaluates the progress of technology in three consistent ways.
One, the Texas STAR Chart, allows us to take a snapshot of where we stand in the district on a yearly basis. We use this information in creating a new technology plan or in modifying the current plan.

Two, the TNA and LTTP Vision forms allow us to see more detailed data concerning the use of technology in the classroom.

Third, our monthly department meetings allow us to meet and see what needs are becoming more prevalent and how best to meet those needs.


References
Lee, Jeffrey (Information Systems Manager). Personal interview. 11 Dec. 2009.
New Braunfels ISD. (2009). Campus Improvement Plan New Braunfels Independent School District 2007-2008. New Braunfels, Texas.
New Braunfels ISD. (2009). District Improvement Plan New Braunfels Independent School District 2009-2010. New Braunfels, Texas.
New Braunfels ISD. (2009). Technology Plan for E-Rate Year 12. New Braunfels, Texas.
School Technology and Readiness: A teacher tool for planning and self-assessing aligned with the Long-range plan for technology. (2006). Retrieved November 11, 2009, from http://starchart.esc12.net/docs.

Texas STaR Chart Presentation for NBHS

Texas STaR Chart Presentation

Tx Star Chart P P

View more presentations from NBHS.