Educational Leaders and Blogs

Through the use of blogs, educational leaders can access the collective knowledge of a wide variety of people.  New and innovative practices can be explored and debated.  As stated by Ferriter (2009), “Specifically, thousands of accomplished educators are now writing blogs about teaching and learning, bringing transparency to both the art and the science of their practice. In every content area and grade level and in schools of varying sizes and from different geographic locations, educators are actively reflecting on instruction, challenging assumptions, questioning policies, offering advice, designing solutions, and learning together. And all this collective knowledge is readily available for free.”  Blogs bring a real time aspect to the learning process.  Information and ideas are updated on a daily basis allowing a continuous exposure to professional growth.

Ferriter, Bill (2009, February). Learning with blogs and wikis. Educational Leadership, 66(5), 34-38.

National Educational Technology Plan

The National Educational Technology Plan (NETP), Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology, was released by the U.S. Department of Education on November 9, 2010.  The plan recommends incorporating technology used in daily life and the workplace into all aspects of the educational system.

Goals of the NETP

The National Educational Technology Plan (NETP) contains goals and recommendations in five areas:  learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure, and productivity. 

Learning

All learners will have engaging and empowering learning experiences both in and outside of school that prepare them to be active, creative, knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our globally networked society.(NETP 2010)

Learning must engage and empower students.  This can be accomplished by using technology to improve learning across the curriculum, provide 24/7 access to learning resources and 21^st century expertise, and meet STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) objectives.

Assessment

Our education system at all levels will leverage the power of technology to measure what matters and use assessment data for continuous improvement.  (NETP 2010)

Assessment should be technology-based.  The collected data can be analyzed for needed improvements in the learning process.  Technology should be used to improve formative and summative assessment materials and uses.  Various techniques should be developed to motivate student learners.  Gaming technology, simulations, collaboration environments, and virtual worlds appeal to students and can be incorporated into student learning and assessment.  All of this technology integration must include student privacy and information protection while allowing data sharing to facilitate continuous improvement.

Teaching

Professional educators will be supported individually and in teams by technology that connects them to data, content, resources, expertise, and learning experiences that enable and inspire more effective teaching for all learners.  (NETP 2010)

Opportunities for teacher collaboration through technology-based content, resources and online learning communities will provide for increased teacher retention, more effective teaching skills and attract more people to the profession.  To effectively increase educator knowledge of technology, technology based professional development will be provided to pre-service and in-service educators.  Learning should be a career-long experience for educators with support networks that include schools, educational institutions, and professional organizations.  Technology will provide educators with access to numerous teaching and learning resources.  The ability to facilitate online instruction should be achieved by all educators.

Infrastructure

All students and educators will have access to a comprehensive infrastructure for learning when and where they need it.  (NETP 2010)

Students and teachers should have at least one Internet access device and have broadband access to the Internet and wireless connectivity both inside and outside of school.  Software and resources for research, communication and productivity should be available at all times.  Open source programs should be utilized and technology tools should be improved and added as these become available.  Educational and information technology goals should be established by states and districts.  A learning infrastructure should be developed by state and local education agencies.

Productivity

Our education system at all levels will redesign processes and structures to take advantage of the power of technology to improve learning outcomes while making more efficient use of time, money, and staff. (NETP 2010)

Educational productivity must be defined and improved to facilitate more efficient use of all resources. Technology is used to measure and improve learning outcomes and all costs including procurement.  Funding is provided for the development of interoperability standards that will enable the collection, analysis and sharing of data that is used to improve decision making for all aspects of the education system.  Realign our education system to include the use of technology to improve learning as opposed to more traditional methods.  Ensure that students are prepared for the workplace and citizenship upon completion of the K-16 education system.

All of these goals are important but let’s expand on the learning, teaching, professional development and training aspects.  Technology should be utilized to provide each learner with a program tailored to their specific educational needs.  Learning is not limited to the classroom but occurs 24/7 and includes resources that are only possible because of the worldwide reach of technology.  Students should learn to use critical thinking and problem solving skills.  They should also learn to use tools and techniques that are used for real-world applications.   These could include blogs, wikis, graphic design, and collaboration.  Assessments should be technology-based and include a variety of skills and real-world topics.  The collected data can be analyzed for needed improvements in the learning process.  The most appropriate techniques can be customized for individual students.  Teaching must shift from an isolated teacher-directed model to a connected teaching model.  In a connected teaching model, educators use a team activity approach.  Online learning communities are developed to provide students with 24 hour access to their peers, educators, professional experts on topics studied, community members and parents.  This approach uses data collection to constantly improve the learning experience.  Teachers become facilitators, mentors and co-learners.  Students have the advantage of online learning systems and self-directed learning opportunities. Teaching will be supported by technology both on an individual teacher basis and in team teaching situations.  Technology will be used to connect teachers to data, content, resources, expertise, and learning experiences that will help improve teaching techniques.  Professional development and trainings should be effective and continuous.  In-person courses and workshops, online activities and collaborative opportunities will provide a broader range of trainings.  Educators should have the opportunity to learn 24/7 just like their students. The development of career-long personal learning networks will allow educators to achieve a level of expertise in technology as well as other aspects of education.  These networks will consist of teacher preparation institutions, professional organizations, schools, educational peers and experts.

All of the goals and recommendations of this plan are worthwhile but several concerns emerge.  Technology integration requires money.  Providing internet access and an internet access device 24/7 to teachers and students that are not able to provide their own is a monumental undertaking.  This is made even more difficult with the economic downturn we are experiencing.  There is also the issue of parents who do not want their children to have unlimited internet access if any access at all.  Before this plan can be fully implemented, funding and parental concerns must be addressed and resolved.

Resource

National Educational Technology Plan 2010.  U.S. Department of Education.  Retrieved from http://www.ed.gov/technology/netp-2010

McCullough Junior High School Technology Plan

McCullough Junior High School has a detailed technology plan which includes the Technology Applications TEKS.  The plan’s stated objective is ‘to ensure that all students and staff utilize technology as a tool for learning’.  The plan can be divided into 5 sections:  telecommunications and information technology, professional development, assessment of telecommunication services, hardware, software, and other services needed, budgeting and continuous evaluation of the plan.  There are numerous strategies involved to meet each of these goals. 

Telecommunications and Information Technology

Students are given the opportunity to take several different computer based courses to increase their understanding and knowledge of technology.  All students have a school email account and domain access that provides online space to store files.  The Student Access Center and the Parent Access Center provide students and their parents’ personal information including grades, absences, tardies, disciplinary actions, evaluation data and lunch account balance.  Internet safety is emphasized to students as well as research and analysis techniques.  McCullough has two 30 station Library computer labs and 6 WOW (Web on Wheels) carts that contain 28 computers each.  Teachers are encouraged to utilize these computers in their curriculum and for assessment purposes.  Classrooms contain 1 – 4 student computers.  Students may utilize these computers to complete school assignments before school, after school and during advisory.  Each classroom is equipped with a teacher computer.   There are several wireless access systems available at McCullough including a guest system, student/staff system and administration system.

Professional development

Professional development is an ongoing process.  Trainings have been scheduled on a monthly basis and occur during teacher conference times.  During the current school year, trainings have been held on Eduphoria, and eschools Plus.  Future trainings will include a refresher on the use of the WOW carts, INOVA Plus, Edmodo, Moodle, Quizlet and various ESL related tools.  Additional trainings will be determined utilizing surveys completed by staff members. As these trainings are provided by district or school staff, the only expense incurred is the salary of a substitute for the staff member presenting the program.   Coordination of professional development is provided by a team consisting of the principal, assistant principal in charge of technology and the technology liaison.

Assessment of telecommunication services, hardware, software, etc.

The STaR Chart survey is used to evaluate the current telecommunications services.   Additionally, staff members are surveyed as to their observations and needs to increase technology use in the classroom. 

Budgeting

Technology related budgeting is included in the campus budget. Current funds are limited due to the cut backs that all school districts are experiencing.  There are no plans for major technology purchases.  The current equipment will be maintained and repairs made as necessary.  McCullough is undergoing a major construction project.  Included as part of this project are a few technology related items including additional wireless access points to improve service, and internet connections and electrical outlets required for the use of technology in classrooms. 

Evaluation

The evaluation process has various components that utilize data from students and staff members.  A technology literacy assessment is administered through the science classes to determine areas of improvement needed within computer courses.  Campus and staff formative assessments occur in November and January.  The formative assessments utilized are technology professional development records and reevaluation of the campus and district technology plans to ensure these align with the technology strategies.    Campus and staff summative assessment occurs in July and uses the performance indicators of the STaR report. 

Technology planning is a fluid process because of the continuous development of new technology and improvement of current technology.  McCullough’s technology plan focuses on meeting these ever changing needs.

Resource:

STaR Chart.  Campus Statistics Statewide Annual Summary.  Retrieved from http://starchart.epsilen.com/statistics.html

E-Rate and McCullough Jr High Technology Plan

E-Rate and Mccullough Technology Plan

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