EDLD 5352 KEY AREA #1 Teaching and Learning; Texas Long Range Plan For Technology

These are the 6 areas that make up the Teaching and Learning Area of the STaR Chart Summary: Patterns of Classroom Use, Frequency/Design of Instructional Setting, Content Area Connections, Technology Application (TA)TEKS Implementation, Student Mastery of Technology Applications, and Online Learning. How much of the technology available to us do we actually incorporate into our instruction? Educators score this answer as best they see fit. Answers will vary depending on the the teacher's computer related skills.

The Campus Statewide Summary declares that at a state level the majority (69.7%) scored at DEVELOPING TECH. At a local level the majority also scored at a DEVELOPING TECH. It is understood that students have computers available, however they are not using them as part of their learning. Their technology applications are limited to electronic communication (e-mail) and project/presentations (power point). It is foreseen that more Technology Application courses will be added to the students curriculum and high school plan. We do, as of 2009 academic year, require that all 7th graders take Career Investigation. This course links real life to research and technology.

It is no secret that students would be able learn and apply their computer based skills if campuses had more available electronic equipment. Sometimes we have to do with what we've got. It takes a lot of planning to be able to incorporate technology use in the classroom especially when teachers have limited resources. Professional Development that demonstrates how a computer rich classroom should function and how an educator can make it work is the first step to getting educators on board. Change is scary but preparing for it makes the learning worthwhile.

EDLD 5352 Week 1 Part 4 TEKS Summary

Pre Kinder students as small as they are manage computer equipment better than we handled it when we were first introduced to technology applications. Nonetheless, old fashioned skills taught at this age are just as important. Youngsters like these, need to be taught how to work together, problem solve, and articulate through basic sensory activities. As these students begin their journey into the technology applications world, pre kinderers learn to communicate and produce results. Their computer interaction allows them to learn the basic skills in math such as patterns, adding, and subtracting. If these mind working bodies begin juggling these math skills that are relevant to everyday life, then as they grow from grade to grade, they will be able to master with ease the TEKS intended for their group.

1. Compare and Contrast

2. Selection Use

3. Making Adjustments

4. Use Technology Terminology

5. Basic Computer Performance

6. Proficiency With Computer Devices

7. Developing Strategies

8. Connection From Technology Relevancy To Future Careers

9. Conflict Resolution

10. Plan, Create, And Edit

11. Publish

12. Evaluate

Students need a connection from the classroom to the world that awaits them. With this in mind, everything that comes at them will have meaning.

EDLD 5352 Week 1 Key Ideas of the Long-Range Plan for Technolgy

Schools follow a curriculum set out by the state. The Long Range Plan for Technology is also part of our state's curriculum, however, it is not given to educators as a necessity guide. Setting out a new computer based VISION and offering professional development that will aid instructors in the classroom is a good place to start moving learning to the 21st century. Basing the schools infrastructure on technology innovations will lead our students to become self directed and self learned. We may not know what the technology future holds but we can prepare our students to problem solve the inevitable.

EDLD 5352 Week 1 Part 1 Reflection

There are four domains in the Technology Applications Inventory. Domain I covers the foundation of computer usage. This includes knowledge of computer equipment and terminology. Domain II refers to the information acquisition learned through locating and accessing computer functions. Domain III involves solving problems with technology tools. This covers the ability to be able to use, create, and design with the technology available through the computer. Domain IV involves communication. This is the product that links an idea to a specific audience.

In today's society, teachers own a personal computer. Not all students and parents may have a home computer but it is safe to say that the majority of the school's population owns and uses a computer at home. Of those that own a home computer a large percent has access to the Internet. There are still many teachers, though computer literate, don't understand how to get the best use out of their technology to be able to apply it in their daily instruction.

As a Technology Education and Career Investigation teacher I have a computer lab available to me all year round. I incorporate the use of technology in my lesson planning and instruction. For the same reason, I require my students to work with and turn in assignments and/or projects computer made or sent to me electronically. Electronic learning is going at an extremely fast pace, which is great, but can sometimes leave educators catching up to student progress. The time available for instructors to train for computer innovations shrinks by the day.

Week 1 Part 1 Reflection

The Technology Applications Inventory covers 4 domains. Domain 1 includes the foundation stage of computer usage. The use of the equipment and it's terminology are known in this section. Domain 2 includes information and aquisition acquired through the use of the computer. Domain 3 includes problem solving with technology tools. This section pertains to