On March 5, 2010, the U.S. Department of Education, through the Office of Educational Technology published a draft of their National Educational Technology Plan (NETP) titled, Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology. The NETP is a response designed to address two educational goals set forth by the current government administration by 2020: raise the amount of college graduates from 39% to 60% and close the achievement gap so that all students graduate from high school prepared to succeed in college and future careers. The NETP has identified five goals that need to be met: learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure, and productivity.
To meet the goal of learning, the NETP recommends that stakeholders revise and create learning standards and objectives that reflect 21st century technology proficiency. Schools need to develop and adopt learning resources using technology that is accessible by students anywhere and anytime and use these advances to augment the ability of all students to excel in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
In the area of assessment, the NETP suggests that schools develop technologically innovative assessments that provide feedback that improves student achievement. School districts are encouraged to modify policies so that student data can be safely shared to assist educators in designing individualized instruction plans.
Technology integration should be the focus for designing curriculum and improving instruction. This can be accomplished by providing professional development opportunities that focus on collaborative learning, acquisition of information using digital resources, and online learning communities. Technology should be used as a catalyst to create personal learning networks for all educators. By integrating technology into all aspects of education, teachers can help to close the achievement gap between student learning and application of skills.
Another goal of the NETP is to ensure that all teachers and students have access to learning whenever and wherever. To accomplish this, schools must provide the necessary tools such as a computer with relevant software for each student, broadband access and wireless connectivity, and open educational resources that promote creative learning opportunities. All states and local educational service agencies will need to provide the tools for a framework that can meet these demands.
Educators across the nation need to develop a common definition of productivity in education. School districts will have to determine the best way to improve the means by which they enhance learning outcomes while at the same time funding their resources efficiently.
Professional development for educators is essential to the success of the NETP. School districts across the nation will need to develop learning opportunities that focus on collaborative learning communities for educators. By doing this, teachers will cultivate new skills in the same manner as their students. In order for educators to meet the goals set forth by the NETP, it is important that they move away from traditional teaching methods and move toward working with students as collaborators. Students need to develop skills that can be applied to real-world situations. Education can no longer be a delivery system of information. By customizing instruction to meet individual learning needs, educators develop the opportunity for students to compete and succeed in a global economy.
Office of Educational Technology, U.S. Department of Education (2010). Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology. Retrieved from http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/NETP-2010-final-report.pdf
Showing posts with label Technology Plan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Technology Plan. Show all posts
Sunday, October 17, 2010
A Brief Summary of the Technology Plan for Klein ISD
Klein ISD is committed to increasing productivity by assuring that all students and staff meet the standards set by the State of Texas for technology applications. In order to do this, Klein ISD is dedicated to expanding technology throughout the school district to enhance learning and instruction. The technology plan for Klein ISD includes four primary goals: implementation of 21st century teaching and learning strategies; continuation of professional development; increasing productivity through the use of technology; and improving the existing infrastructure.
Klein ISD continues their commitment to incorporate 21st century tools into the classroom. Teachers use data gathered by the district to assess student academic needs so that they can develop individualized student learning plans. This analysis allows teachers to implement 21st century learning skills through the use of technology. Additionally, teachers can use district data to determine critical instructional needs such as credit recovery and remediation for at-risk students. In order for the school district to determine compliance with state mandated curriculum, student progress is monitored by the administration of periodic benchmark assessments. All teachers in Klein ISD are required to maintain a web page as a communication and instructional tool for students and parents.
Over 75% of professional development opportunities in Klein ISD are centered on the use and integration of technology within the classroom. Teachers are expected to meet or exceed SBEC technology application standards for beginning teachers. Each campus provides professional development opportunities based on data acquired from the Texas Teacher STaR Chart and other appraisal instruments that are modified to include mastery of the SBEC technology applications. Klein ISD offers a variety of professional development opportunities that include classes before and after school, and distance learning. Additionally, Klein ISD has increased training opportunities for non-instructional personnel and community members. At least 80% of the technology budget is set aside for professional development. Coordination of professional development for the school district is the responsibility of the Associate Superintendent of Instruction and Student Services, the Director of Educational Technology, and campus principals.
Klein ISD is devoted to increasing student and staff productivity through the use of technology. Teacher websites, email, listservs, and electronic forums maintain communication between the school district and the community. Another key element to productivity is assuring that all systems and databases are interoperable. To meet the growing needs of the school district, Klein ISD has provided a student information and a professional development management system. The school district will continue to provide resources that enhance learning through the use of technology.
In order for Klein ISD to meet the goals set forth by their technology plan, it is imperative that they provide a stable and secure infrastructure that allows for continued growth. As more schools move toward the 1:1 initiative, the district will plan and prepare an infrastructure that meets the needs and demands for new and existing facilities. The increased demand for high-speed filtered access to the Internet will result in a need for new equipment that is capable of maintaining the existing infrastructure. It will be necessary to add additional technical and instructional technology staff to support the implementation of new technology systems.
Klein ISD formally evaluates their district technology plan annually and updates the plan every three years or earlier if necessary. The effectiveness of the plan is evaluated against the district, campus, and teacher STaR charts. Progress is monitored by the amount of teachers that attend technology-related professional development courses, lesson plans, documentation of community access to technology resources, and technical support records.
Klein ISD (2010). Klein ISD Technology Plan for E-Rate Year 13. Retrieved from http://www.kleinisd.net/docs/1-it.TechPlan.pdf
Klein ISD continues their commitment to incorporate 21st century tools into the classroom. Teachers use data gathered by the district to assess student academic needs so that they can develop individualized student learning plans. This analysis allows teachers to implement 21st century learning skills through the use of technology. Additionally, teachers can use district data to determine critical instructional needs such as credit recovery and remediation for at-risk students. In order for the school district to determine compliance with state mandated curriculum, student progress is monitored by the administration of periodic benchmark assessments. All teachers in Klein ISD are required to maintain a web page as a communication and instructional tool for students and parents.
Over 75% of professional development opportunities in Klein ISD are centered on the use and integration of technology within the classroom. Teachers are expected to meet or exceed SBEC technology application standards for beginning teachers. Each campus provides professional development opportunities based on data acquired from the Texas Teacher STaR Chart and other appraisal instruments that are modified to include mastery of the SBEC technology applications. Klein ISD offers a variety of professional development opportunities that include classes before and after school, and distance learning. Additionally, Klein ISD has increased training opportunities for non-instructional personnel and community members. At least 80% of the technology budget is set aside for professional development. Coordination of professional development for the school district is the responsibility of the Associate Superintendent of Instruction and Student Services, the Director of Educational Technology, and campus principals.
Klein ISD is devoted to increasing student and staff productivity through the use of technology. Teacher websites, email, listservs, and electronic forums maintain communication between the school district and the community. Another key element to productivity is assuring that all systems and databases are interoperable. To meet the growing needs of the school district, Klein ISD has provided a student information and a professional development management system. The school district will continue to provide resources that enhance learning through the use of technology.
In order for Klein ISD to meet the goals set forth by their technology plan, it is imperative that they provide a stable and secure infrastructure that allows for continued growth. As more schools move toward the 1:1 initiative, the district will plan and prepare an infrastructure that meets the needs and demands for new and existing facilities. The increased demand for high-speed filtered access to the Internet will result in a need for new equipment that is capable of maintaining the existing infrastructure. It will be necessary to add additional technical and instructional technology staff to support the implementation of new technology systems.
Klein ISD formally evaluates their district technology plan annually and updates the plan every three years or earlier if necessary. The effectiveness of the plan is evaluated against the district, campus, and teacher STaR charts. Progress is monitored by the amount of teachers that attend technology-related professional development courses, lesson plans, documentation of community access to technology resources, and technical support records.
Klein ISD (2010). Klein ISD Technology Plan for E-Rate Year 13. Retrieved from http://www.kleinisd.net/docs/1-it.TechPlan.pdf
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)