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.