Week 2 Post 1: My Opinions about Texas’ Technology Plan: Educator Preparation and Development

A good description of the area of Education Preparation and Development, from the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 is that it is the ongoing process of preparing educators in technology skills, uses, and learning strategies for the 21^st century learner. Through technology based professional growth, distance learning, online learning and technology based teacher preparation programs, teachers need to be prepared to encourage students to think creatively and objectively to information, how information is processed and communicated in the 21^st century, and bring about learning opportunities that would not be possible without the technology.

Progress in this area is seen at the national, the state, and local levels. An example of national progress is seen in the No Child Left Behind Act. This Act was a start to guide educators into creating learning environments appropriate for the 21^st century learner. By implementing technology standards, the government has acknowledged education has changed; however not funding the initiative properly, these are standards that are difficult for districts to live up to. The state of Texas has implemented the Texas STaR Chart, a move to ensure that schools, teachers, and administrators are prepared to teach the 21^st century learner. Texas also recognizes the diplomas of many online universities, and encourages online learning and professional development. Locally, Clear Creek ISD encourages online professional development. CCISD has purchased the use of Blackboard, an online learning environment that allows teachers and students to communicate beyond the school day, through the use of technology. CCISD has offered numerous distance learning programs, and offers an entire high school curriculum for students online. Teachers are encouraged to attend technology trainings, communicate electronically, and incorporate technology into their classrooms. CCISD could offer more in the way of online professional development, but I think their progress is good in this area.

 

Trends in Educator Preparation & Development are also seen at a national, a state, and local levels. Nationally, the Department of Education has included on their website, links to teacher programs and professional development opportunities that are available online. The state of Texas has required all teachers be knowledgeable of the technology skills required of a Texas 8^th grader. All teacher preparation programs are required to include a technology component to prepare teachers for the 21^st century learner. Clear Creek ISD has steadily been moving forward in helping teachers learn needed technology skills.

Improvement of the area of Educator Preparation and Development could include a state-offered technology training specifically to get veteran teachers where they need to be in the world of integrating technology with curriculum in their classes. Perhaps a state-wide training, available online, would allow equal training opportunities to all educators in the state, regardless of the technology available or not in their districts.