GHS STaR Chart

GHS STaR Chart"
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Blog #3 National Educational Technology Plan 2010

The National Educational Technology Plan(NETP) 2010, calls of the revamping of the educational system to bring it in to the 21st century. The government is insisting on the implementation of "technology-based learning and assessment systems" to put the United States in position to produce graduates who are equipped to compete in ever increasingly competitive global marketplace. President Obama's current administration has placed significant emphasis at the high school level concerning college readiness for all students in order to reach a goal of elevating the number of college graduates to 60% from 39%. Technological development at the high school level will be a first and seminal step in meeting the lofty goals.

The NETP has developed a series of five goals to meet the demands of the Obama Administration.

1.0 Learning: develop and adopt learning strategies that are flexible in and to the power of technology, science, mathematics, and engineering.

2.0 Assessment: design, develop assessments that will give the students and teachers timely feedback on student achievement. Use gaming technology and simulations to engage the learner and measure student learning, while ensuring student privacy.

3.0 Teaching: having teachers that are "skilled in online instruction" . Teachers would design, develop the assessments, and curriculum for the learner to develop skills needed in the business world. Instructors would be supported by data, experience and expertise.

4.0 Infrastructure: All students and instructors with have access to one computer and Broadband Internet access to communicate and collaborate with others.

5.0 Productivity: design, develop and fund technological programs K-16. The intent is to produce business, technologically savvy graduates.

It is my observation that the largest challenge to the above mentioned goals will be the training and development of educators who are aged above the technological boom. These staff members will need the proper training to efficiently and effectively utilize these technologies in the classroom. The second challenge will come from budgetary capabilities and or constraints. In Texas we are currently experiencing educational cutbacks on a scale not seen in recent history. The availability of funds needed to construct the type of technological infrastructure needed is the issue of the day.

I am quite certain there are other draw backs as well however, the message is still clear; in order for our young people to compete in today’s marketplace they sorely need this training. It is our responsibility as educators to overcome any obstacles in our path.  I question I would pose is:  Where is the funding coming from? We all know of the fiscal challenges facing education by the federal government.  As government cutbacks continue, would this be an area that is cut?

Blog #2 Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020

Today's public education is unlike anything ever seen before. I can vividly recall my high school years (1985-1989) when communication from teacher to parent was via letters brought home to parents informing  them of everything that was going on in the school. Sometimes the informational sheets made it to my parents, sometimes they did not.  Definitely not the most effective form of teacher to parent communication.

Today parents do not have to rely on their children to get the information they need from the school. Evidence of this can be found in the survey taken from parents of students K-12 in Texas. Of the 2,338 parents surveyed 83% were mothers and with the majority of parents had children in grades 6-8. 56% stated they had average technology skills, 37% claiming they had above average technology skills while 7% having below average computer skills. Interestingly enough however, was fact that 89% stated they have Internet access on their home, with DSL or cable access. This figure was in line with the national average. That amount of domestic  Internet access in Texas was surprising. 

Further research shows that 94% of parents surveyed claimed that they utilize the Internet to correspond with teachers and administrators at their children's schools. A majority of those polled also stated that they use the web sites established by these schools to get information such as coming events, homework assignments, and student grades. This is a figure that can be felt by the staff members of all schools, who have recently been charged with the task of developing personal websites for each class, posting notes and assignments as well as announcements which are readily available to the parents.

The survey goes on to mention that parents feel more connected with the available information through use of the Internet. This brought the parents closer to the school and the teacher, the line of the communication is open on both sides.

Blog #1 Infrastructure for Technology

Success in any program must always be established and built on a solid foundation.  In order obtain and facilitate the type of technological development prescribed by the Long-Range Plan for Technology by the State of Texas infrastructure is vital in achieving such development.  If properly implemented and maintained, this infrastructure will serve as the foundation on which we can instruct, develop, and assess our students to compete in the 21st century.

Fiscal responsibility in the form of proper budgetary allotment is priority one. Technology is quite an investment especially when you are striving to utilize the latest in instructional technology to assist our students compete in the ever evolving marketplace. Therefore budgets must reflect the goals set forth by school districts. At John Paul II High School, every student is equipped with a laptop computer, making available digital resources to every student and every classroom on a daily basis. This provides all JPIIHS students and faculty with a major tool to facilitate learning at an advanced technological level.

Professional development is also a huge priority at JPIIHS; comprising priority two. The latest technology is paramount, however the capability to deliver the message our students need we must train the staff to efficiently implement these products in their everyday instruction. Listed below is a menu of technology based professional opportunities for February at JPIIHS:

Wednesday, February 1

7:45am

DyKnow Monitor Training

7:45am

DyKnow Vision Training

Monday, February 6

4:00pm

Google - Digital Story Telling Training

4:00pm

Wordpress Training

Wednesday, February 8

7:45am

Google Calendar

7:45am

Google Docs Training

Wednesday, February 15

4:00pm

RSS Feeds Training

4:00pm

Sugar Sync Training

Monday, February 27

7:45am

DyKnow Monitor Training

7:45am

DyKnow Vision Training

7:45am

Twitter Training

Wednesday, February 29

4:00pm

Google - Digital Story Telling Training

4:00pm

Wordpress Training

The 21st century demands fast paced, current, relevant, development in order to compete. We must not only rightly discern the technological times we are facing today, but also understand and accept the challenges we face in developing students with the skills needed to compete other American studetns as well as students abroad. We have a responsibility to our young people to expose them to the latest technologies as well as equip them in their ethical, effective usage. Without this type of infrastructure we will fall behind, and in this world we may never catch up.