Long-Range Plan

Prior to this class, I was unaware that Texas had or was following a long-range plan for technology. Because our students are part of a technology savvy generation, the method of teaching them must shift from the tried-and-true methods with which we were educated. The integration of technology into the classroom is imperative for our students' success. In order to fully prepare teachers to use this technology, time must be set aside for professional development. Either during the professional development session or as a follow-up, teachers should be allowed time to put the new knowledge to use and to integrate it into their existing lesson plans. Teachers could do this in collaboration with other teachers in the same grade level or subject area. One point I learned from the long-range plan is that is is imperative that the administration in a school have a vision for technology and a plan for implementing the vision. This vision should be in alignment with the vision established for the school district. The plan addresses the reality that some districts have more resources than others. Some districts can purchase new equipment on an as needed basis, and other districts are forced to use broken or outdated equipment.

I think one of the most important things I learned about technology use and integration on campus is that the administration must set the example. You cannot tell teachers "Do as I say, not as I do"! As an administrator, I would use any and all technology to communicate and organize myself so that I could show teachers how wonderful it can be. If I were holdng a meeting, I would put the agenda up as a google document, so that we could all add and edit in real time. Education is a field where technology integration has been slow in coming, but when teachers begin to embrace it, I think we will see a shift in the exictement of both teachers and students.