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? :)