EDLD 5352 Week 2 Blog Post #1

Texas Long Range Plan for Technology and STaR Chart

Our district takes the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology seriously. In fact, our campus STaR Chart indicated the Key Area III: Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support as our greatest strength, reaching Target Tech status. This does not surprise me. We have five instructional specialists on our Title I campus and an identified TL2 representative for each grade level; thus, I can validate this statement. Our instructional specialists and assistant principals are amazing when it comes to advocating technology. We receive weekly technology updates via email about available software and online resources, exciting websites, recent activities and articles to keep us informed and inspired. In addition, we also have a on our grade level team designated to serve as immediate support. Nevertheless, with their enthusiasm and instructional support, we feel more confident and prepared to implement the highest of technology standards which is evident in our continual progress.

Overall, STaR Chart data shows the we have achieved Advanced Tech status in the three remaining key areas: Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development, and Infrastructure for Technology. Again, this data supports our commitment to the TLRP. At closer inspection of Key Area I: Teaching and Learning, I recognized that classroom use and online learning had remained at a 2-- Developing Tech. According to the results, the majority of our teachers are still in the Developing stage of using technology to “direct instruction, improve productivity, model technology skills, and direct students in the productivity applications for technology integration.” At this point, most of our teachers feel comfortable with the use of technology to enhance student learning at the basic level of providing students with access for the use of research, communication and presentation. After discussing my find with my Assistant Principal, we came to the conclusion that the consistency of earning a Developing Tech status is not due to the lack of progress made by educators, but rather the introduction of additional student software applications and student project requirements with each new year.

Nevertheless, to help our campus move forward, I recommeneded that we be given time to explore the technology that we have available and plan for the use of technology in a real classroom setting during one Professional Learning Community session a month. We will ask all teachers to bring a laptop to the meeting and have teachers share how they are using technology in the classroom, share any technology student porjects and practice the use of software applications, digital powerpoint games, websites instructional videos, etc. in a safe and collaborative environment.

Texas STaR Chart--Nitsch Elementary

After much research and planning, here is my Texas STaR Chart powerpoint presentation for EDLD5352 week 2.

T ferrell starchart

View more presentations from Terri Ferrell.