Blog Posting One:

Of the four areas of the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020: Teaching and Learning; Educator Preparation and Development; Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support; or Infrastructure for Technology, I have chosen to discuss the area of “Educator Preparation and Development” as it relates to my campus and district. My campus and district have made incredible gains to ensure all of our students and educators have access to a technology enriched curriculum. Technology with differentiation is infused into the lessons and the district offers professional development opportunities for our teachers to grow throughout the school year. At the campus level, educators learn about current technology software and teaching tools to develop their skills through after school share sessions. At each faculty meeting, fellow teachers share information about new technology and tools used in their classroom and often share web-sites and tricks they have picked up that may provide help for the students. Curriculum coaches also hold share sessions for team members to come together and learn new techniques from one another. School districts are proactive in providing technology skills to their students as well as encouraging educators to use differentiated technology lessons. They also encourage students to collaborate amongst themselves in teaching what they have learned through the use of school technology. Our educators are encouraged by campus and district administrators to explore and to help meet our goals by 2020. I feel that our district must continue to offer training to educators in order to ensure that all goals are met in regards to the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology. My recommendations for improvement in the area would be for more teachers to be more receptive to the professional development offered to them and to fully embrace the use of technology on as many levels as possible.