Texas Long Range Plan for Technology: Educator Preparation and Development

My first thought about the whole Technology Plan is "this sounds GREAT but where is the funding going to come from to update schools with this much technology, additional training, additional scheduling BLAH BLAH BLAH (etc., etc., etc.)

I did have an A-HA moment when I realized the STAR Chart survey we as educators take annually is just not another survey and not a BIG waste of time. It is actually a valid document related to a state Technology Plan and Technology TEKS/Standards. Maybe I should have paid better attention when I was "taking" the survey. I will be honest, I just did it because the email said do and get a reward (chocolate). But I really want to know is, when was the STAR Chart, Technology Plan and/or Standards explained, shown or discussed? Before school started in August, when all you want to do is work in your classroom, during a faculty meeting, when all you want to do is go home, or during an inservice when all you want to do is work in your room or be at home.

Enough of my soap box. (But isn't that what a blog is for?)

I am in total support of technology in the classroom because it the future. " Teachers today need to have the skills necessary to change instruction to meet the needs of this generation of student." My biggest concern is money, time, and the amount of effort put forth by ALL educators. I guess if a district is required by law to implement the Technology Plan and wants to be exemplary then the district will one: find the money for computers and training (slash jobs but not football): two, force principals to make scheduling changes (take away lunch for more computer lab time): and three, conduct more walk-throughs to see if "technology" is being used in the classroom. What about the higher ups? Are they using technology to help their teachers meet the Technology Standards? or are they just dictating to the teachers what the state tells them?

Yes I am teacher who has been teaching for many years and I am willing to make a change for the good of my students, BUT as I read this list of recommendations for the various Texas entities, I start to wonder what about recommendations for the actual educators?

My objection/concern about this plan is the effect it will have on teachers. Is this just something else to make the teachers do? Can you make an old dog learn new tricks? :)

Special Needs Software: p. 231 – 232

As a former special education teacher for young children with special needs, I saw technology grow and change in ways that allowed my students to participate and interact in an academic and social world. With this technology they were able to participate with their peers, become independent and successful, and communicate at levels not achieved in the past.

Software and hardware companies have realized that an increasing number of the public schools population are students with specials needs: needs such as physical disabilities and/or learning impairments. Software being used and categorized to assist with these needs is special needs software. For example, speech-synthesizing software reads words or letters displayed on the screen or converts spoken sounds and words in text or graphics.

Assistive software and hardware programs are presented in diverse formats. Such materials use a multisensory format and include features that provide note taking and reading support. The formats allow the user to facilitate communication, participate in social communication and recreational activities (p. 232).

Many companies are producing specially prepared multimedia software as well as numerous assistive technology devices. These products are designed with the principles of universal design meaning applicable to the entire population not just those with special needs. Today disability accessibility software is part of the operating system on all computers. Also assistive software offers materials in a format that addresses the strongest learning mode for the individual user (p.232). Products such as EBook, Intellitools, and WizCom’s Quicktionary Reading Pen are three examples of software programs and hardware devices used with technology integration for students in special education.

The librarian’s role in integrating technology for students with special needs is to ensure that the computers and other forms of technology (printers, projectors, and screens) are accessible and readily available for use by ALL students.

Reference Software - p. 224

As a librarian it will be my job to make sure students and teachers have the necessary research tools readily available either in print format or via the latest technology software the latter being the more appropriate choice. Below are my thoughts and comments about reference software.

Definition: digital versions of volumes of reference materials stored on a single compact disc
CD Rom reference software hyperlinks multimedia data (p.224). A hyperlink is a segment of on a webpage that contains instructions to link to another page or different website.

Reference materials which use to come in bound print format are now published on CD-ROM/ DVDs or electronically via the Internet. These formats allow the user to easily locate different points of information recorded on the CD or click on an interactive link so the user can follow the idea or question in an order meaningful to him/ her.
Additionally these two formats allow pictures, illustrations, and drawings to become informative multimedia information. The amount of digital information made available with either CD/DVDS or electronically is tremendous. They allow a user to explore areas, topics and subjects in ways that are more meaningful, enlightening and supportive to the learning process.

Types of reference software:

Encyclopedias, Atlases, Dictionaries/Thesauruses, Almanacs, Newspapers, Grammar Tools

Examples of Each:

Encyclopedias: Encarta, Britannica, World Book, Encyclopedia.com, Grolier Online

Atlases: World Atlas, World Map, Picture Atlas of the World, World FactBook

Dictionaries/ Thesauruses: Merriam-Webster’s Online, Your Dictionary.com, Yahoo Kids Dictionary,

Almanacs: World Almanac for Kids, The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids, Nation by Nation Almanac

Newspapers: many local, state and national newspapers are now online such as Dallas Morning News, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today

Grammar Tools: English Grammar Builder

While the textbook sited the benefits of reference software, I felt is lacked examples or recommendations. Table 6.2 was a nice summary of the features and applications for each software program; however, I felt there should have been more examples. I also thought electronic versions of various programs should have been included not only in the table but within the definition and explanation section of the textbook. There was no mention of the online products which is a big portion research materials used now by school and public libraries.

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