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National Education Technology Plan

            The goal of the National Education Technology Plan incorporates the advanced technology that is used in our everyday life and applies it to our education system.  The purpose is to improve the student learning and to expand the implementation of effective practices in the classroom.  Additionally, there is a methodology of data collection and information sharing for continuous improvement to the education process (www.ed.gov, p. 1).   

            The plan calls educators to be supported individually and collectively by technology.  This support connects the educators to content, resources, expertise, data and shared learning experiences.  The use of the National Education Technology Plans will empower and provide educators with more effective teaching for all learners (www.ed.gov/technology/nept-2010/teaching-prepare-and-connect, p1).

            Since many of the students’ lives are technology rich outside the classroom this plan calls for bringing the same technology inside the classroom to enhance their learning experience.  This plans calls for our education system to provide for all learners, including the students with learning disabilities, low-income and minority students, English language learners, and others.  By applying this technology it will prepare the students to enter the modern day workforce.  As society changes from an economy based environment to an information based one, students must be able use technology to develop skills that make them resourceful, creative and inquisitive. 

            This plan calls for the continuing professional development at all levels of education.  The plan calls for the continued use of online professional development on a 24-hour basis.  The use of Open Educational Resources is a source of information that resides in the public domain.  This resource permits accessing, sharing, repurposing and collaborating with others for educational purposes.  This openware is provided free of charge and can be accessed from anywhere. 

http://www.ed.gov/technology/netp-2010

http://www.ed.gov/technology/netp-2010/teaching-prepare-and-connect

District Technology Plan

            The goal of the Killeen Independent School District Technology Plan is provide students with a full, innovative, rigorous, and comprehensive education program.  The goal is to provide a superior learning experience so that upon graduation, the students will be prepared for success in the 21^st century world and enter the workforce or higher education ready to succeed.  In order to do this there has to be a technology support package the will allow the students to reach their maximum potential. 

            The goal is to have 100% of the district’s campuses with direct connection to the Internet.  Within the classrooms, the goal is to have one computer for every five students and that all teachers have a dedicated computer for administrative and classroom instruction purposes.  Additionally, students will have the availability of software programs that will maximize learning.

            Within the district, the technology division gives training as part of the Acceptable Use and Operating System programs.  This training ensures that the newly hired teachers have the basic understanding of the computer and its software.  This program is also for all teachers when a new computer allocation is given within the district for the Lifecycle Management Plan, where older computers are swapped out for newer ones.  This is also part of the Classrooms Technology Package where educators are briefed on the operation and capabilities of new software and other technologies as they are introduced to the educators.  The technology plan has been developed so that the district’s vision for personnel is based on the ISTE/SBEC standards.  The plan gives vision and direction to the infrastructure, professional development and technology acquisition and replacement to ensure effective integration of technology to every classroom.

Each year the district requires the teachers at all campus levels to complete the Texas STaR chart.  This document, among its other uses, helps to identify areas to improve the level of technology integration in the classrooms and what is needed to further the learning for all students.  The chart allows for information to be used for applying for grants for additional technology and educational needs.  This assessment of needs helps to determine funding priorities for technology and where to allocate funds. 

            The district has budgeted over $37 million dollars to support technology over the next three years.  The areas budgeted are: Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development, Leadership, Administration and Support, and Infrastructure for Technology.  The total technology expenditure for each student throughout the district is approximately $939 per student.  The largest expenditure of monies over the next 3 years falls into the Infrastructure for Technology budget.  This is to ensure that the support to provide all members of the learning community with the resources to integrate technology into the learning process.

The Texas Campus STaR Charts were used to analyze and determine the technology development level of proficiency for teachers and staff.  This data assessed the proficiency of technology, professional development, technical support and infrastructure throughout the district.  Currently, 48% of the campuses have completed the Texas Star Chart. Additionally, throughout the year teachers have the opportunity to give on-going assessments of technology issues within the district through committees at campus level.     

            Currently the budget is sufficient for the vision of the district.  However, as new technologies emerge there must be a contingency for purchasing and allocating it within the district.  As budgets tighten within all areas of the government and the district, it will become harder to purchase and obtain this new technology so great care must be utilized when allocating and sharing of technology. 

Killeen ISD Technology Plan: 2011-2014

Technology Assessments as Tools

Technology assessment is a valuable tool to determine the direction of a district technology plan for both students and educators.  This assessment determines the feasibility of specific programs and determines who should be mentors within a certain area and who needs to have more computer training.

            The assessment of an educator’s technology skills and knowledge is valuable for the district and the educator’s personal information.  The advantage to the district’s overall knowledge of technology skills is beneficial when planning, coordinating and executing continuing education and professional development.  This allows the district to save time and money that could be spent elsewhere.  The district will also be able to determine the type of continuing professional development and adjust schedules accordingly.  Once educator’s skills are collated district wide, educators can be placed in groups according to their skill levels.  Additionally, by identifying those educators with advanced or more in depth knowledge in specific areas, they can act and serve as mentors either within the district or at campus levels. 

            The educator can benefit from a technology assessment.  They can discover areas of weakness or areas that need reinforcing as well as strengths.  Understanding the areas needing improving or enhancing, the educator can then begin to work more with other teachers with the same desires and goals.  With the new technologies available and an ever-increasing emphasis on using technology in the classroom, educators need to have an understanding of what their strengths and weaknesses are.

            Students can also benefit from a technology assessment.  Many students come into the classroom already understanding some basic technology while others come in with an advanced knowledge.  Many times the students may have an understanding of technology more so that the teacher.  By giving a student a technology assessment it allows the educator to assess the student’s skills from basic typing and computer to using the Web 2.0 technology skills.  Once the student level of expertise has been identified, they can be placed into study groups for further enhancement of their skills.  Many may be able to serve as mentors to other students or as leaders for collaborative learning experiences. 

            As with any assessment there can be downfalls to a technology assessment.  In lower social economic status areas, students may not have the availability and access to technology that other students may enjoy.  This will put them behind when it comes to dealing with technology.  This may not be a fault of the student but merely a shortcoming.  Students in the lower social economic status group could be a high level learner but do not have the opportunity to experience this technology outside the school.

Students with learning or language disabilities may also be at a disadvantage.  Through no fault of their own, they may not have the capability to understand the technology if it is above their learning level.  Those with English language learning difficulties assessment may be skewed if not in the parent language.  

Web Conference 8 pm (2000 hrs) 25/26 Jan 2012

The Web Conferences this evening was very informative. The main focus of this conference was to layout the internship plan, the competency chart and the reflections. Main emphasis was on obtaining a site mentor, usually and most preferably, a member of the administration on campus. This person could be either the principal or technology director within the district. An additional emphasis was placed on the application for internship, which must be turned in by Week 3. During the conference we also talked about the technology-based activities from the IST along with the 8 standards and the 38 competency skills. Something I didn't know nor did I realize was that some of the leadership competencies are the same as the principal competencies. It was strongly recommended that I get my principal certification during this time and through the course. Overall conference was excellent and I received very valuable information towards the degree.