Sunday, November 29, 2009
Teaching and Learning: The Heart of It All
The Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 has four domains:
My campus has shown a bit of a backward slide in Teaching and Learning. In 2006-2007, we fell into the Advanced Tech catagory, but since then, we've only managed Developing Tech. The strongest losses are in Patterns of Classroom Use and Technology Applications (TA) TEKS Implementation. The other areas showed fluctuation but nothing steady. I do see how these areas are weak. In the two years I've been on this campus, I see students using the computers in the lab, but more often to use the online subscribed services than to create for their class. And nowhere have I been instructed about or shown the TA TEKS. It wasn't until this class that I realized we were accountable for those, too.
Statewide, 69.7% of schools fall in the Developing Tech category for Teaching & Learning. This is second only to Educator Preparation. These numbers concern me. I can see where teachers might feel they lack adequate training to incorporate technology in their classrooms, but I can also see where their own fear of technology might be getting in the way. Teachers may get enough training to be successful in the classroom, but don't feel confident enough to use it. And, of course, the training will fade over time because the teacher never did anything with it. It's a catch-22. Educators have to step up and be brave. The students need that from us more than they need tests and grades. They need someone to show them that it's okay to take risks and try something you're not comfortable with.
- Teaching and Learning;
- Educator Preparation and Development;
- Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support; and
- Infrastructure for Technology.
My campus has shown a bit of a backward slide in Teaching and Learning. In 2006-2007, we fell into the Advanced Tech catagory, but since then, we've only managed Developing Tech. The strongest losses are in Patterns of Classroom Use and Technology Applications (TA) TEKS Implementation. The other areas showed fluctuation but nothing steady. I do see how these areas are weak. In the two years I've been on this campus, I see students using the computers in the lab, but more often to use the online subscribed services than to create for their class. And nowhere have I been instructed about or shown the TA TEKS. It wasn't until this class that I realized we were accountable for those, too.
Statewide, 69.7% of schools fall in the Developing Tech category for Teaching & Learning. This is second only to Educator Preparation. These numbers concern me. I can see where teachers might feel they lack adequate training to incorporate technology in their classrooms, but I can also see where their own fear of technology might be getting in the way. Teachers may get enough training to be successful in the classroom, but don't feel confident enough to use it. And, of course, the training will fade over time because the teacher never did anything with it. It's a catch-22. Educators have to step up and be brave. The students need that from us more than they need tests and grades. They need someone to show them that it's okay to take risks and try something you're not comfortable with.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Pre-K TEKS and What They Mean for Us
The PreK guidelines for Technology include the child opening and navigating through software programs; using a variety of computer input devices, such as mouse, keyboard, touch screen sound recorder, etc; using software to create and express own ideas, and recognizing that information is available through technology. I appreciate that these guidelines are in place and feel that a Pre-K student could learn much of that, however, I do have a concern.
In Texas, neither Pre-K nor kindergarten is required by the state. That means that there will be a number of children entering 1st grade at a disadvantage. If Texas recommends that student have this technology in their background before 1st grade in order to successfully grow into the 21st Century learner, then the state is either giving up on those who do not attend Pre-K or K through public schools, or it’s putting the weight of all those previous TEKS on the 1st grade teacher, who still has to have the students at a certain level by the end of 1st grade. Neither one of those is acceptable. The spiraling nature of the technology applications TEKS is one way to make up for this deficiency.
These Pre-K guidelines would provide an excellent foundation for K+ teachers to build on. It would allow the subsequent teachers to step forward with confidence that their students could follow. Since the technology applications TEKS are spiraling, some lack of information could be picked up as a topic is covered again and again. For example, students will have several opportunities to present information to other students, using software such as Microsoft PowerPoint. They will use the same application more than once over the course of their school career. In each use, a new skill will be acquired and old skills will be practiced, engraining them deeper and making them easier, providing a foundation to build on.
In Texas, neither Pre-K nor kindergarten is required by the state. That means that there will be a number of children entering 1st grade at a disadvantage. If Texas recommends that student have this technology in their background before 1st grade in order to successfully grow into the 21st Century learner, then the state is either giving up on those who do not attend Pre-K or K through public schools, or it’s putting the weight of all those previous TEKS on the 1st grade teacher, who still has to have the students at a certain level by the end of 1st grade. Neither one of those is acceptable. The spiraling nature of the technology applications TEKS is one way to make up for this deficiency.
These Pre-K guidelines would provide an excellent foundation for K+ teachers to build on. It would allow the subsequent teachers to step forward with confidence that their students could follow. Since the technology applications TEKS are spiraling, some lack of information could be picked up as a topic is covered again and again. For example, students will have several opportunities to present information to other students, using software such as Microsoft PowerPoint. They will use the same application more than once over the course of their school career. In each use, a new skill will be acquired and old skills will be practiced, engraining them deeper and making them easier, providing a foundation to build on.
Thoughts on the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020
This long-range plan consisted of four major elements: Teaching and Learning; Educator Preparation and Development; Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Support; and Infrastructure for Technology. Based on what I read, there is no need for the other three elements if the infrastructure element is not sufficiently met. The plan outlined wonderful recommendations for teaching and learning and educator preparation to better do our job by these 21sth Century learners, but then it talked about how, even though much of Texas is connected, it's basic and more is needed. And we need the skilled individuals in place to maintain it and help use it properly.
Having worked in Texas school districts of various sizes and budgets, I can say that, from what I've seen, many schools are not willing to put much of their budget into the skilled individuals required to support technology use. Those folks who have the technology skills and drive to use them creatively and effectively are not working in our school districts. They are earning more elsewhere. Schools do pay less than corporate jobs do, and the smaller, rural districts don't stand a chance of drawing and keeping talent with little more to offer them than low pay and quiet nights with a great view of the stars.
Having worked in Texas school districts of various sizes and budgets, I can say that, from what I've seen, many schools are not willing to put much of their budget into the skilled individuals required to support technology use. Those folks who have the technology skills and drive to use them creatively and effectively are not working in our school districts. They are earning more elsewhere. Schools do pay less than corporate jobs do, and the smaller, rural districts don't stand a chance of drawing and keeping talent with little more to offer them than low pay and quiet nights with a great view of the stars.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
The First Step: Assessing My Strengths and Weaknesses
As part of the first week’s assignment, I had to take two surveys: one assessing my technology skills and one assessing the use of technology on my campus. Based on these surveys, I need to discuss my strengths and weaknesses in technology and in technology leadership on my campus. So here it goes.
The first assessment was the Technology Applications Inventory provided by TEA. It was a simple yes or no inventory broken into four domains: Foundations, Information Acquisition, Solving Problems, and Communication. Overall I answered ‘no’ to less than 14% of the statements. I was pretty proud of myself. There were a few statements that I was on the line about, such as, “I can delineate between the various digital file formats including, but not limited to, .wav, .mid, .au, .doc, .txt, .gif, .jpg, .mov, and .cwk.” I will admit that .au and .cwk stumped me until I looked them up. Ahhh… Clarisworks. Yep. Got it. And .au is a simple audio format. I had to dig for that answer. Even Google wasn’t on familiar terms with it. So I found I could answer yes to most of those I was iffy on because it was just a matter of looking up the vocabulary. I have a sound working knowledge of most of the items on the list, and I feel that I can quickly learn anything that I might be lacking. I knew nothing about how to use Photo Story yesterday afternoon, but by evening, I had it downloaded for my daughter’s Spanish project and now have enough basics to take it into my classroom and have my 4th graders create! (And now I’m at 279 words… *sigh*)
The second assessment is the SETDA survey for the teacher. This survey was more about technology use and philosophy at the campus level. From this survey, a picture developed of a campus that encourages technology use and provides many options for use, but doesn’t have a set requirement for teaching nor an assessment of student’s technological education. For myself, I see that to be an effective instructional leader, I will need to take the steps into using more technology with my students, and sharing those successes with the school. This would provide an audience for my students’ work and would provide teachers with a motivation to use those technologies with their students.
I plan on developing my skills in multimedia technology as much as I can in the near future. I believe that virtual schools are still growing and will need leadership as much at brick-and-mortar schools do. I want to be ready for anything.
The first assessment was the Technology Applications Inventory provided by TEA. It was a simple yes or no inventory broken into four domains: Foundations, Information Acquisition, Solving Problems, and Communication. Overall I answered ‘no’ to less than 14% of the statements. I was pretty proud of myself. There were a few statements that I was on the line about, such as, “I can delineate between the various digital file formats including, but not limited to, .wav, .mid, .au, .doc, .txt, .gif, .jpg, .mov, and .cwk.” I will admit that .au and .cwk stumped me until I looked them up. Ahhh… Clarisworks. Yep. Got it. And .au is a simple audio format. I had to dig for that answer. Even Google wasn’t on familiar terms with it. So I found I could answer yes to most of those I was iffy on because it was just a matter of looking up the vocabulary. I have a sound working knowledge of most of the items on the list, and I feel that I can quickly learn anything that I might be lacking. I knew nothing about how to use Photo Story yesterday afternoon, but by evening, I had it downloaded for my daughter’s Spanish project and now have enough basics to take it into my classroom and have my 4th graders create! (And now I’m at 279 words… *sigh*)
The second assessment is the SETDA survey for the teacher. This survey was more about technology use and philosophy at the campus level. From this survey, a picture developed of a campus that encourages technology use and provides many options for use, but doesn’t have a set requirement for teaching nor an assessment of student’s technological education. For myself, I see that to be an effective instructional leader, I will need to take the steps into using more technology with my students, and sharing those successes with the school. This would provide an audience for my students’ work and would provide teachers with a motivation to use those technologies with their students.
I plan on developing my skills in multimedia technology as much as I can in the near future. I believe that virtual schools are still growing and will need leadership as much at brick-and-mortar schools do. I want to be ready for anything.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
And By Way of Explanation
These posts are all in response to questions in my instructional leadership class, one of the required classes in the Educational Leadership masters program I am taking through Lamar University. Perhaps when the class is over, I will morph this into something that I will use in my career.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)