STaR Chart Presentation

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STAR CHART

For my blog entry I choose to discuss Educator Preparation and Development. This key area includes; Professional Development Experiences, Models of professional development, Capabilities of Educators, Access of Professional Development, Levels of Understanding and Patterns of Use, and Professional Development for Online Learning. I choose this key area because I feel very strongly that is indeed the most important area and one that must be rated as an advanced tech in order to improve technology integration in schools. Teachers must be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to teach their students how to use technology appropriately and correctly. Our world relies on technology and our students must be familiar with it in order to succeed in the real working world. It is the job of educators to make sure this happens and to make sure we are providing them with tools that will help them succeed in the future. Progress is certainly being made as we hire more technology specialists for schools. These specialists are able to devote their time to training teachers and helping students gain the necessary skills to be successful with technology. However, some districts and even states do not feel technology warrants this much attention and it is placed on the back burner. This thought will eventually hurt their students because they will not have the tools necessary to compete in the work force because they will not have technology proficiencies that are a must in the work force. I think the best way for us to improve this problem is to continue to hire well qualified individuals and allow them to work with our teachers individually so they may become comfortable with using technology in their classrooms. Also, I think more time in the computer labs would be very beneficial for students as well.

Technology TEKS

The technology TEKS outline what a student is to master in each grade level. The state has done a fine job of spiraling the TEKS so that each grade level is a building block for the next. For example, students in kindergarten may learn how to type their names into a word document allowing them time to practice with a word processing program but also typing skills as well. The next year the students begin typing their spelling words giving them more opportunity to master typing skills and becoming more familiar with the word program. This continues until the student is able to perform multiple tasks in Word and can create complex documents. This foundation allows students the ability to function in a high technology world and also to master skills that will help them to be successful as they enter the working force.

Long Range Plan

After reading the Long Range Plan I feel like it outlines what the students of tomorrow really need to accomplish in order to be successful individuals in life. It also details what teachers need to gain in order to teach these students the skills necessary for their success. I do however hesitate when I say that this will be done by 2020 because many schools do not hold these technology standards at a high regard. They push technology to the back burner and focus on straight academics. In reality, technology should be one of those core academic subjects because it is the fuel of our world. Without it, nothing would operate in today’s society.

Assessment Reflection

After taking the two assessments I thought about several different things. I have always considered myself to be a dummy when it comes to computers and technology. However, after reading through the assessments I have decided that I know more about computers and technology then I had anticipated. Because I have grown up during this technology era, things don’t seem like a big deal. For example, using the internet or checking email, texting on a cell phone, or even working a word processing program, are all things, for some individuals, can be very scary. It helped open my eyes as to how much I really do know about technology and where I need to start when learning more. I still have some weaknesses and these areas I am certainly trying to work on and improve my knowledge so I can incorporate more technology in my classroom. The second assessment was very helpful for me to gain an idea as to how much technology I actually use with my students and also how often I do so. It would be a great survey for campus principals to use when determining what staff development sessions the teachers need in order to use more technology in their rooms. I think meaningful classes are key when presenting the trainings and with this survey, we can see what areas need attention and what areas the teachers seem to have a pretty good grasp on. There is no sense in having a training dealing with email when 90% of the teachers feel very confident using email. I will use a survey like this when I become an administrator to help me determine the biggest need at my campus when dealing with technology.

Requisite Technology Skills Assessment