National Education Technology Plan: Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology.
President Obama has a vision for America's Education. "By 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world" is what the President stated in his Address to Congress in February 2009. He wants to state education chiefs and govenors to develop standards and assessments that measure 21st century competencies. In order to accomplish his goals we need to move from the traditional classroom to a technologically equipped environment, both in and out of school. Schools don't just need to be educational facilities, they should be vessels of exploration and invention.
The NETP addresses the needs of our American students. In the report it mentioned that education has been an issue but it was basically put on the back burner. The NETP addresses five essential areas: learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure, and productivity.
We need to move away from the idea of one size fits all. We need to provide more personalized learning. The challenge is to make it even across the board, so that all learners, from all different backgrounds will have the tools and knowledge to succeed. Creating engaging and personalized learning experiences for all students is where we need to start. When children can connect their learning to the real world, it makes it more personalized and adds relevance, creating higher levels of motivation and success.
Assessments need to be used to measure the use of technology as well as their knowledge and problem solving skills. Student learning data can be collected and used to continually improve learning outcomes and productivity.
They discuss connected teaching replacing isolation teaching. Connected teaching seems to be of grave importance when it comes to moving into the 21st century. Teachers need to be using technology in the classroom in order for their students to be fully prepared for the global future. Staying connected with each other will produce higher level thinking and collaboration. Professional development needs to be engaging and relevant to today's digital and technological society.
I enjoyed reading this, I didn't realize that President Obama had addressed these isssues. It's a long time coming. This should have been addressed many years ago.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Week 2/EDLD 5306 Post #2
Reflection: Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020
This plan was originally adopted a little over twenty years ago. The last adoption was more recently in 2006. Over the twenty years since it's adoption, the internet was introduced, capabilities of software and hardware has increased and many new technologies have brought many opportunities for education. The goal of the LPRT 2006-2020 is to prepare students to be able to work, thrive, and survive in the 21st century. Students need to be able to interact in a global marketplace.
Several different bills were introduced including the Virtual School Network, Internet Safety, a Technology-Based Supplemental Pilot Program, and a Technology Literacy Assessment Pilot. Along with these were legislatively mandated programs. These programs are the Technology Immersion Pilot (TIP) and the Texas virtual School Network (TxVSN). It was interesting to read about this. I hadn't heard anything about it. Data from the TExas STaR charts is used to follow progress of schools, teachers, and students in meeting the goals of the Long Range Plan for Technology.
The NetDay Speak Up 2007 survey was used to feedback from students, teachers, and parents. K-2, 3-5,6-8, and 9-12 grades were all surveyed. In K-2 (61%) had a computer at home with Internet access. And at school 68% said they use computers to play learning games. In the 3-5th grade the survey indicated that they're using technology more frequently. 51% said they use the computer at school to do school research and 49% said they play educational games. In grade 6-8 the use of technology becomes an integral part of student life. 66% reported using technology to complete writing assignments and 60% to conduct online research. In grades 9-12 75% of students reported that completing writing assignements was their biggest use of technology. Creating slide shows, videos, web pages or online research are other uses of technology. The survey indicated that a little over half of the teachers surveyed feel that they are average computer users. Overall the survey indicated what I would have thought, as far as how it is used and how much computer time is available for some schools.
The report also provided feedback on a program called TIP. This pilot is being used to explore the relationship between student performance and educational technology. Each student and teacher is provided with a laptop, software, online resources and other learning technologies that have been shown to improve student achievement. They're hoping to carry the act of learning past the classroom walls and beyond the school day. Teachers reported increased enthusiasm and student engagement, increased collaboration and communication among staff, students, and parents, and increased parental involvement and community support. Unfortunately, my school district was not one of the chosen ones.
This was interesting to read how Texas is working towards making an empowering experience for our Texas students. There are so many times we hear students in other countries are so far ahead of us. I believe it is about time, we do something about our education system. I look forward to learning more about the changes to come. I'm already thinking about ways to implement blogs for next year.
This plan was originally adopted a little over twenty years ago. The last adoption was more recently in 2006. Over the twenty years since it's adoption, the internet was introduced, capabilities of software and hardware has increased and many new technologies have brought many opportunities for education. The goal of the LPRT 2006-2020 is to prepare students to be able to work, thrive, and survive in the 21st century. Students need to be able to interact in a global marketplace.
Several different bills were introduced including the Virtual School Network, Internet Safety, a Technology-Based Supplemental Pilot Program, and a Technology Literacy Assessment Pilot. Along with these were legislatively mandated programs. These programs are the Technology Immersion Pilot (TIP) and the Texas virtual School Network (TxVSN). It was interesting to read about this. I hadn't heard anything about it. Data from the TExas STaR charts is used to follow progress of schools, teachers, and students in meeting the goals of the Long Range Plan for Technology.
The NetDay Speak Up 2007 survey was used to feedback from students, teachers, and parents. K-2, 3-5,6-8, and 9-12 grades were all surveyed. In K-2 (61%) had a computer at home with Internet access. And at school 68% said they use computers to play learning games. In the 3-5th grade the survey indicated that they're using technology more frequently. 51% said they use the computer at school to do school research and 49% said they play educational games. In grade 6-8 the use of technology becomes an integral part of student life. 66% reported using technology to complete writing assignments and 60% to conduct online research. In grades 9-12 75% of students reported that completing writing assignements was their biggest use of technology. Creating slide shows, videos, web pages or online research are other uses of technology. The survey indicated that a little over half of the teachers surveyed feel that they are average computer users. Overall the survey indicated what I would have thought, as far as how it is used and how much computer time is available for some schools.
The report also provided feedback on a program called TIP. This pilot is being used to explore the relationship between student performance and educational technology. Each student and teacher is provided with a laptop, software, online resources and other learning technologies that have been shown to improve student achievement. They're hoping to carry the act of learning past the classroom walls and beyond the school day. Teachers reported increased enthusiasm and student engagement, increased collaboration and communication among staff, students, and parents, and increased parental involvement and community support. Unfortunately, my school district was not one of the chosen ones.
This was interesting to read how Texas is working towards making an empowering experience for our Texas students. There are so many times we hear students in other countries are so far ahead of us. I believe it is about time, we do something about our education system. I look forward to learning more about the changes to come. I'm already thinking about ways to implement blogs for next year.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
WEEK 2/EDLD 5306 Post #1
Educator Preparation and Development
As we enter the 21st century, we enter a digital age. The industrial age is transforming into a digital and technological age. Our students nowadays, have no idea what life was like back in the day when there weren't cell phones, ipods, and computers. They are learning in a whole different way than how most of us were taught, paper and pencil. We need to move from traditional education to 21st century learning.
We as educators need to learn how to effectively teach 21st century learning with technology. Professional development needs to teach teachers how to transorm their teaching and learning into lessons that are going to keep out students engaged. By not preparing our students for a digital future then we are doing them a disservice. Their are certain guidelines set up through the SBEC Technology Application Standards for districts to use. Teachers that are entering the field nowadays are required to be proficient with technology.
I would say our campus is split down the middle. We have an older crowd and a very young crowd, in which most of them are very proficient with the computer and technology. Many of educators that have been there for years are more reluctant to change. they feel that they've been successful in the past, so why mess up a good thing. They just don't understand that by not giving the students what they really need to be successful in their futures. Yes, what they've done might have worked, so let's add technology to it, so that our students can be successful when they graduate high school and go on to college. Core curriculm subjects can have technology integrated into them. The technology should support the curriculm and bring about learning opportunities that would not be possible without the technology.
Professional development needs to be an ongoing job embedded process, in order for the veteran teachers to be successful at it. Distance learning and online classes are another way for educators to be trained. Our campus is making strides to be technology friendly and for our students to be engaged. I plan on implementing some of the blogging ideas for next year's lesson plans. The only drawback will be only being able to get to the computer lab once a week.
As we enter the 21st century, we enter a digital age. The industrial age is transforming into a digital and technological age. Our students nowadays, have no idea what life was like back in the day when there weren't cell phones, ipods, and computers. They are learning in a whole different way than how most of us were taught, paper and pencil. We need to move from traditional education to 21st century learning.
We as educators need to learn how to effectively teach 21st century learning with technology. Professional development needs to teach teachers how to transorm their teaching and learning into lessons that are going to keep out students engaged. By not preparing our students for a digital future then we are doing them a disservice. Their are certain guidelines set up through the SBEC Technology Application Standards for districts to use. Teachers that are entering the field nowadays are required to be proficient with technology.
I would say our campus is split down the middle. We have an older crowd and a very young crowd, in which most of them are very proficient with the computer and technology. Many of educators that have been there for years are more reluctant to change. they feel that they've been successful in the past, so why mess up a good thing. They just don't understand that by not giving the students what they really need to be successful in their futures. Yes, what they've done might have worked, so let's add technology to it, so that our students can be successful when they graduate high school and go on to college. Core curriculm subjects can have technology integrated into them. The technology should support the curriculm and bring about learning opportunities that would not be possible without the technology.
Professional development needs to be an ongoing job embedded process, in order for the veteran teachers to be successful at it. Distance learning and online classes are another way for educators to be trained. Our campus is making strides to be technology friendly and for our students to be engaged. I plan on implementing some of the blogging ideas for next year's lesson plans. The only drawback will be only being able to get to the computer lab once a week.
Powerpoint Presentation
Hello fellow colleagues and professors,
Well I got my powerpoint presentation done and on my blog but when it transfered some of the font went crazy and I'm assuming I can't fix it. So, please read through, the font at the end didn't get messed up. I'm hoping to learn more about powerpoints as we progress through these courses. The powerpoint presentation is listed under Jackson Technology Center.
Thanks for understanding while I continually learn about new tools and technology everyday.
Carolyn
Well I got my powerpoint presentation done and on my blog but when it transfered some of the font went crazy and I'm assuming I can't fix it. So, please read through, the font at the end didn't get messed up. I'm hoping to learn more about powerpoints as we progress through these courses. The powerpoint presentation is listed under Jackson Technology Center.
Thanks for understanding while I continually learn about new tools and technology everyday.
Carolyn
Jackson Technology Center
Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
Jackson Technology Center/Powerpoint
View more presentations from Carolyn Massey.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Web conference Week 2
Wow, this is pretty cool and I created it all by myself. Okay back to business. Yes, I successully connected to the web conference this past Tuesday June 1st. I didn't have any problems connecting but I was unable to see myself during the conference but I could hear Dr. Borel. She discussed how important the Internship handbook is and that it is a very important tool for this course. Also we need to pick a site mentor this week and have them sign form. We also discussed the field based plan (100hrs), the course-embedded hours (100hrs). Many questions regarding these can be found in the Internship handbook. Also we need to set up a gmail account. Overall, I thought it was a neat experience, I had never done a web conference before. I'm looking forward to next week's conference.
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