The TX Long-Range Plan for Technology 2006-2020 Progress Report, was created to provide support and proof, that 21st century technological skills are needed for our children to compete and succeed in a global society. Teachers will play an important role in bringing this vision to fruition. Stakeholders must embrace new technologies. Handheld devices, laptops, phones, and iPods are common technological wonders. Teachers must be provided with ongoing professional development in order to feel comfortable incorporating technology and therefore impact and effect new, innovative and competitive learning strategies and techniques.
The report shows graphic charts and stark differences, as to how children in grades K-12 utilize technology in general, -vs- how they use technology to complete school work. In 2007, approximately 56% of mothers (primarily) indicated that they were average tech users, 37% stated that they were advanced tech users, and 7% rated themselves as beginners, and 89% of households overall, had a home computer with DSL or cable access. The survey conducted by Net Day Speak Up in 2007, indicated that these numbers are similarto national trends. It is important to school districts that our stakeholders be familiar and comfortable with advanced technology, which are ways in which we educators may seek to communicate with them. I personally text, talk with, and email my parents regularly!
The report also goes on to explain that public and school libraries will continue to play a critical role, because they increase students and community members (parents) potential and ability to fully participate now and in the future in the economic, social, and educational opportunities of TX, the nation, and world! Texas leads the nation in the area of school district technology planning, though you'd be hard pressed to convince me of this first hand because at the resource poor school in which I work within the state's largest school district, modern, high tech, technological advances are hardpressed to find as opposed to other schools within the very same district, but in more desirable or higher income areas!
I was also unaware until reading this blog, that Title II, Part D of the NCLB Act combines several previous technology programs into a single state educational technology program. The goals of this program include improving student academic achievement through the use of technology in elementary and secondary schools; assisting students in crossing the digital divide by ensuring that every student is computer literate by the time they complete grade 8, and encouraging the effective integration of technology resources and systems with teacheer training and curriculum development.
The report closes out by addressing how the different regions of TX addresses for four areas of the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology: Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development, Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support, and Infrastructure.
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