Texas Long Range Plan for Technology

The Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 is a very extensive plan that involves all stakeholders, including but not limited to teachers, students, administration, school board, and parents. The vision is one that has all students being technologically masters by the time they leave high school and teachers receiving professional development that will allow them to be technologically proficient so that they can prepare the students for mastery. In order to create this plan the ETAC committee did extensive research and surveying to gather data. In 2005, over 5,000 teachers in Texas responded to a survey that compared their answers to a nationwide teacher response. The teachers in Texas showed that the majority of teachers use technology to make their job easier and life easier. They responded that student application is the biggest key to the success of students. So this plan combines the two, to make student success and the teaching job easier. Since the plan is so extensive, a very precise timeline has been implemented. The goal is to create a 21st Century learner that is able to compete with the rest of the world for success.The need for change in terms of the technology that the United States requires proficiency in, is seen in it's comparison to other countries. The United States is seeing less students graduate high school and go to college. India had almost a million more students graduate with a bachelors degree in 2001 than the United States. That is proof that we needed to do something to regain a competitive edge and give our students a competitive role in the emerging economic progress of the world.The 21st Century learner has a positive outlook on technology and uses it to perform everyday tasks. This type of learner is able to leanr in ways that are effective to them and know that learning can be tailored to fit his/her needs. Students must learn to think analytically by problem solving/reasoning skills, experimenting, and applying information. This student takes responsibility and learns to interact/communicate with the digital world. As technology changes, the 21st Century learner collaborates and adapts according to his/her personal learning requirements.The state of Texas has such a diverse mix of people that we as educators have to ensure that we are reaching all of the students we teach. Technology allows Texas to reach students from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Technology brings the outside world into the classroom and allows districts access to unlimited resources. Technology can also level the playing field for students with special needs, low socio-economic status, or districts limited resources. Teaching with technology not only provides an engaging environment but also gets students ready to be active members of the 21st century. The Texas Long Range Plan for Technology has set guidelines for technology in the state of Texas. All students should have access to technology and the used this technology to collaborate and construct knowledge to solve real world problems. No Child Left Behind required technology integration in the 8th grade curriculum and that all 8th graders must be technology literate. Technology must be seamless integrated into curriculum.In order to ensure a seamless integration of the technology application into the curriculum, we have to make sure that teachers are prepared to teach our students and push them to success. Therefore extensive professional development must be offered as well as expected so that our teachers are able to adapt to the changing times. Not only do the teachers need to be up to date on the latest technology, administrators need to acquire the knowledge as well. This way there is support and knowledge throughout the school. As well as having a leader who knows how quickly technology is changing, it will allow for better budgeting of funds to ensure technology has the funding needed to advance.The 21st century infrastructure will be able to keep up with changing technologies. However, this requires funding. Unfortunately for public schools, funding is based on many different aspects and money is needed for all areas of running and maintaining a school. With technology, the more advanced it becomes, the more expensive it becomes as well. This plan was created to help create an enviroment where all stakeholders are involved and allow for the collaborative communication of the stakeholders to ensure the best for the students. As a leader and someone who uses technology frequently, I want to be able to continue to learn and have the competitive edge and be able to pass that to my staff and students. I want to continue to learn daily and keep up with the world as it changes. I have high expectations for myself and as a leader, i would expect the same of my students and staff.