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We are using technology in our classrooms and working to better integrate technology in curriculum.

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What is your guess for how Vidor Middle school is doing on the STaR progression? media type="custom" key="4173875"

What an exciting time to be learner, of any age! The Texas Long Range Plan, or LRPT, for short, identifies four key areas facilitating the ever advancing technological capacities. These domains, Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development, Leadership, Administrative and Instructional Support and Infrastructure, establish expectations for growth with technology. The Technology Application Standards are markers along the LRPT. As I think about these areas, I think on my own classroom and lessons. I am prompted to assess my training, my professional development and my willingness and abilities to integrate the Technology Application Standards into my teaching. In this discussion, I will focus on the first domain, Teaching and Learning. which focuses on what is made available to our students and how. We are to provide rich content, to facilitate communication with peers and collaborate with experts. We are also to provide access to online resources, distance learning courses and other online learning. We are reaching different learning styles and aptitudes as we diversify our delivery. Even with me taking a class online, I can access my online classroom materials at a time that is convenient for me. As we expand our public school access, our young students will have the same option. In my school district, we teachers are at the Developing Tech level, which means that "Instruction is teacher-directed... There is minimal use of technology in foundation TEKS. Most Technology Applications are met K-8..."(abbreviated definition, STaR chart). In talking with some colleagues, we discussed how the questions are vague enough that teachers and click a higher rating than they might actually perform. Whether or not this is true, my campus has remained stagnant in its progress toward Advanced Tech since inception of this study in 2004. Most teachers, 67% according to the statewide summary (STaR chart summary 2008), are also at Developing tech. In the Vidor area, campus, district and region inservice opportunities abound, but we are not taking advantage of them. At one tech seminar I attended, there were seven teachers from the whole of Region 5’s service area. Yes, I attended during “high TAKS preparation”, but that is the equivalent number as other times it was offered. Additionally, teachers are "stuck" in their usual lesson plans and not reaching toward other learning vehicles. Mark Prensky, an game designer, writer, consultant and speaker, state applying our new technology is a four step process. (1) Dabbling, (2) Doing old things in old ways, (3) Doing old things in new way, (4) Doing new things in new ways (Prensky, 2005). Many of us are still dabbling or doing old things in old ways. We can learn not to be afraid of these "new fangled contraptions" and teach our students how to use them for knowledge! Sometimes equipment fails, and some teachers, rather than try again, give up and revert. When the light bulb goes out, we replace it, not discontinue using that room. We are all smart innovative people and we can help these students prepare for their future by taking hold of the present and building on it. If we take advantage of the opportunities and equipment already provided, we can be successful in our progress to be Target Tech. Prensky, M. (2005) //Adopt and Adapt: Shaping Tech for the Classroom.// [|www.eductopia.com]. George Lucas Foundation. . [] State and Campus wide summary reports, 2006-2009.

So, what can we each do? Click on Collaboration and Agenda What are you currently doing? Post your Favorite Websites Post your ideas on the Tech Ideas page. Don't forget the Sites to See!