EDLD+5306+Concepts+of+Educational+Technology

EDLD 5306 Concepts of Educational Technology II. Communicate research on the use of technology to implement effective assessment and evaluation strategies. V. Design, develop, evaluate, and model products created using technology resources to improve and enhance their productivity and professional practice. VI. Understand the social, ethical, legal, and human issues surrounding the use of technology in P-12 schools and develop programs facilitating application of that understanding in practice throughout their district/region/state. VII. Coordinate development and direct implementation of technology infrastructure, policies, plans, and budgets for P-12 schools. VIII. Facilitate development of a shared vision for comprehensive integration of technology and foster an environment and culture to conducive to the realization of the vision. || 1 –Knows technology terminology and concepts; the appropriate use of hardware, software, and digital files; and how to acquire, analyze, and evaluate digital information. || ** Course EDLD 5306 Concepts of Educational Technology: ** ** A. ** **B.** Analyze Texas STaR Chart data, create a presentation for faculty on results, post the presentation to blog site where you also write 250-word opinion piece on one of the four areas of Texas Long Range Plan for Technology. Include (1) Description of the area. (2) Progress in the area (include local, state, and national progress. (3) Trends in the area (include local, state, and national progress. (4) Your recommendations for improvement in the area.
 * **IS****TE/NCATE Performance Standards** || **Outcomes/Proficiencies (TExES Framework)** || **Performance Tasks** || **Course-Based Embedded Hours** ||
 * I. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of technology operations and concepts.
 * C. ** Create a wiki reference document. || ** B. – 8 hrs. **

C. – 4 hrs. **
 * 

Total: 12 hrs. ** ||

Reflection:  In EDLD 5306 Concepts of Educational Technology, we were asked to analyze the Texas STaR Chart data and analyze one of the four areas of the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology. This assignment not only taught me about the plan Texas has laid out for technology in its schools, but also taught me a great deal about how to asses where a school is technologically. We had to look at the results from our campus STaR chart that the faculty on campus filled out and determine where our school ranks in Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development, Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Support, and Infrastructure for Technology. Since this was the very first class in my master’s program, I knew that I had participated in filling out the STaR chart for my campus, but was not aware of the overall results. This assignment helped me to analyze our campus’ strengths and weaknesses and realize that we have the infrastructure in place, but that we are declining in the areas of Educator Preparation and Instructional Support. This knowledge helped me to be a stronger technology leader on my campus and support other teachers in integrating technology into their classrooms. I think most teachers feel that filling out the STaR chart is a waste of time. It is mandated by law, so we all have to do it, but it does take around 30 minutes or so. What I don’t like about it is that teachers have to do a survey on the entire campus and about lots of things they probably don’t know about. This may lead to inaccurate results and cause many educators to rush through it just selecting answers. I think in order to get a true measure of a teacher or campus’ technological level, the survey needs to be tweaked. Teachers need to answer questions based on what they know and what happens in their classroom—not in other teachers’ classrooms.

The basic truth, however, is that if the leadership in the district and at individual schools does not make technology a priority, then neither will any of the faculty. I think our school and district has some of the things necessary to support 21st Century Learning, but the lack of a cohesive initiative for all schools causes technology integration to be scattered and inconsistent across the district. Some teachers still don’t use any technology in their classes, while others use in constantly.  Another issue in my district is the lack of follow-through in implementing initiatives. For example, they encourage everyone to have a website and spend a day or two emphasizing this, and then the momentum shifts to something else and is forgotten. Why isn’t a system put in place for training, support, and accountability to aid educators in advancing their technological skills? We have plenty of facilitators and leaders in our district, but no plan to put them in action. One thing that puzzles me is why such a growing district as Leander ISD, which has the technology and resources to become a model district for 21st Century Learning, still has not developed and implemented a district-wide plan for educating and supporting teachers in technology implementation into their individual classrooms.