Texas STaR Chart - Educator Preparation and Development

The Texas STaR Chart was designed around the four keys of the Long-Range Plan for Technology 2006-2020. For this blog, I chose to focus on the area of Educator Preparation and Development. This area focuses on the following: content of training, capabilities of educators, models of professional development, levels of understanding and patterns of use, professional development for online learning, and access to professional development. Professional development for teachers in technology is a priority but it doesn't come without barriers. "Preparing teachers and administrators to effectively facilitate and mange 21st Century learning in technology involves radical retooling of the existing educational system. Securing time, resources, and effective models for professional development presents a tremendous challenge to our state and our entire nation." In order for us to meet the demands of the 21st Century, we are going to have to find ways to break down the barriers and find effective ways to prepare our teachers.
According to the 2008-2009 Texas Campus STaR Chart summaries, my campus scored a 15 in the area of Educator Preparation and Development. Our scores indicated that my campus was in the Developing Tech. stage for this area. Two years prior (2006-2007), my campus scored a 10, with individual areas falling at Early Tech. So according to the data, we have seen some improvement, but not enough.
At the state level, 74.2% of the campuses fell in the Developing Tech stage for this area. Only .6% of the campuses indicated the highest level of progress (Target Tech). According to the statewide summary, this is an area we need to focus on as a state to get our campus scores to the highest level of progress.
How are we going to be able to achieve this? The state is going to have to give schools more money for technology. Administrators are going to have to plan in their budget time and resources for technology development. Teachers need to be able to attend technology training to help keep them current. They will also need support and time to implement new technology into their daily plans. Technology integration needs to be a priority in every campus' CIP and teachers need to be required to take staff development in this area every year. Scores on the STaR chart will not improve overnight. It is going to take some work but if we are truly dedicated to making it happen, it will!

Work Cited:
http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/comm/PartIIIEducatorPreparationandDevelopment.pdf

Texas STaR Chart Presentation

Campus STaR Chart findings to share with faculty.

Texas S Ta R Chart

View more presentations from Lamar University.

Technology Application TEKS Summary

Every grade level continues to build upon the foundation that was developed the year before. The Pre-K TEKS in technology are the start of that very foundation. Students in Pre-K are expected to use and name a variety of computer input devices such as a mouse and keyboard. They are also required to open and navigate through software programs. Just like other TEKS in our curriculum, technology TEKS are spiraled to ensure that student are practicing skills multiple times and then build upon each of those skills until they are mastered. In the K-2 foundation strand 1B states that students will start and exit programs as well as create, name and save files. In grades 3-5 for that same TEK, students are expected to save a delete files, use menu options and commands, and work with more than one software application. In grade 6, students are required to compare, contrast and appropriately use various input, processing, output and primary/secondary storage devices. Throughout the years, the same TEK becomes more involved but is dependent on students acquiring appropriate skills from the year before.
As teachers we need to build a strong foundation that reflect the needs of the 21st century.

Long-Range Plan for Technology

I knew we had technology application standards (TEKS) to cover throughout the year, but I did not know there was a document created to discuss the long-range plan for technology. I was interested to find out more about it. After reading the Long-Range Plan for Technology I found myself inundated with new information. I understand the reason behind creating this plan seeing how we are in the age where everything revolves around technology. I believe that our students need to be technology literate and should be given every opportunity to experience different types of technology. However, it is hard for teachers to move forward with this plan when money is not spent on technology. In my classroom I have two computers for students to use. We do have two computer labs but with 65 teachers on our campus we are only allowed to have a one hour a week scheduled computer lab visit. Grades 2-5 and TAG share two laptop carts so Kinder and First rarely have the opportunity to use the laptops. Students are not given the opportunity to work with technology on a daily basis because of this. Newer campuses in our district have smart boards, projectors, and ELMOS in every classroom. Older campuses have started to add smart boards to TAKS grades and have bought projectors for each grade level to share but it is not enough to help our students reach the goals of the long-range technology plan.
With the new technology that has become available, teachers need more opportunities to be trained and given time to plan how to implement it in their daily lessons. I was pleased to see that the long-range plan stresses the importance of on-going staff development for teachers.
As a future instructional leader, I know that I am going to have to use this plan to help guide technology use and integration on my campus. I am going to have to conduct needs assessments that will determine strengths and challenges to implementing educational technology on campus. I will also need to set aside funds in my campus budget to help us integrate technology effectively and to make sure my staff has plenty of opportunities for professional development. If I expect my teachers to integrate technology I must be able to do so as well.

Technology Skills Assessment

Wow! I really thought I was technology savvy. After all, whenever one of my teammates has a technology issue they ask for my advice. But after taking these assessments, I have come to find that I still have a lot of learning to do and that I cannot officially call myself the "first grade technology guru"!
After taking the Texas Applications Inventory, I learned that I am strong in foundations and solving problems, but need some work in the information acquisition and communication domains. I am comfortable creating word documents, spreadsheets and Power Point presentations. I have even incorporated teaching my students how to use these programs in our weekly computer lab visits. However, I am weak in designing and creating multimedia presentations. I always want to try new types of technology in my classroom but I am uncomfortable using it. I feel that I have not had adequate training or time to learn how to properly implement these tools.
After taking the SEDTA Teacher Survey, I learned that my campus has a lot of technology resources available; however students are not using them on a daily basis. I realize that as I plan my lessons for the week, I do not stop and think about how technology could enhance student learning or my teaching. I need to be more cognizant of how I can incorporate technology into my lessons to engage student learning.
I agree with the result of the assessments. I understand what my strengths and weaknesses are with regards to technology. I know what I need to focus on professionally to enhance my teaching abilities and enhance student learning. I am hoping my district will have some effective technology staff developments I will be able to attend to help me grow as a technology leader.