Analysis of the Long-Range Plan (Week 1, Part 3)

After reading the different parts of the Long-Range Plan, I discovered how many parts are involved within this plan. The vision for 2020 is that all students will be able to access digital tools 24/7 and be prepared to thrive in a global workforce. Parents and educators will also have 24/7 access to communication and resource tools. There are three phases to the plan and the four parts include: learners, leaders, educators, and infrastructure. Technology savvy students are the future of our economy and we must be able to provide the technology needs of the 21st Century for these students within the educational system. Learning must be tailored to the students' individual needs and the only way for that to truly be done is through technology. Lack of knowledge towards technology and time constraints were barriers teacher faced when trying to integrate technology within the classroom. Curriculum that ensures the use of technology, flexibility to try new things, and more opportunities to visit classrooms, are all challenges that impact teaching and learning. Professional development must be provided to assure mastery of the technology standards by all educators. It should include new ways to teach that lead to improvements in student academic achievement. Administrators need to be the true supporters of integrating technology in the curriculum and classroom. Administrators must make technology an integral part of their professional activities and assure others do as well. Appropriate instructional support is needed by administrators to ensure teachers fully integrate technology into the curriculum and maximize educational benefits from the investment of technology. Texas must plan for a 21st Century educational environment and will need a truly high-performance infrastructure to take advantage of new technologies that can significantly reduce costs, increase student access, and improve communication with stakeholders. A safe, secure, flexible, and reliable infrastructure must be required by all districts. The ETAC will help the state of Texas overcome barriers within the plan. The new long-range plan will guide districts in Texas in the effective use of technology in a way that will prepare students to learn and work in the 21st Century.

This new learning can assist me as an instructional leader who is guiding technology use in the fact that it needs to be a main priority. I have to work with administrators and staff to push technology as a main focus in the classroom. I must learn to integrate technology use with the core curriculum. The integration of technology and curriculum should be a main focus with all subjects and grade levels on campus. Students must be provided with a profound amount of technology use to meet their own individual needs. I must learn to assess students, not just on what they can do on paper, but how they can integrate technology use with their own personal learning styles and the curriculum being taught.

http://www.tea.state.tx.us/technology/lrpt/lrpt_lrpt.html