Long Range Plan for Technology

Educators, administrators, students, and community members will one day be able to communicate and learn in a much more rich way. In order for this to happen, educators must emphasize the new technology TEKS, and participate in staff development to enhance their own abilities and teaching skills. Also, appropriate funds and resources for technology must be available to all schools. In order to accomplish this vision by 2020, a plan has been developed. This plan emphasizes four key areas: learners, educators, leaders, and infrastructure. (The Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020, 2006)

Over the last several years, most parts of our community have become much more technological and modern. This is not the case for most school districts and schools in the United States. This is a problem because other countries are surpassing us in this area, and thus are having more successful students after high school graduation. Additionally, our country’s demographics are rapidly changing and technology must be integrated and applied to instruction on a daily basis in order to best serve all of our diverse students. (The Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020, 2006)

Students are much more familiar and comfortable with technology than they were a number or years ago. They need to be challenged with it on an individual basis. Teachers need to introduce and reinforce key skills, and then tailor assignments to where each and every student is challenged. These technological activities can be independent or collaborative, or both. Educators need to apply the students’ familiarity with and use of technology on a daily basis to their learning in order to make it beneficial to their education and their futures. (The Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020, 2006)

Across the board, the vast majority of teachers agree that technology is both important and beneficial to their students’ education. Most teachers also use email, internet search engines, and news websites on a regular basis at work. Teachers feel that the main barriers to technology in the classroom are lack of time, lack of support at home, and lack of materials. Teachers would like to see additional staff development focused primarily on how to integrate technology into their lessons more regularly. (The Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020, 2006)

Teachers should no longer rely on the “one size fits all” philosophy of education. They need to understand that students need technology to use as tools for different things. Technology should be used to bridge the ability gap between students. Many students need distance learning opportunities for a multitude of reasons, most of which are to help bridge the gap mentioned above. The roles that teachers and students play must change, and they must be equal partners in education. Technology will help to accomplish this by expanding learning opportunities for all students. (The Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020, 2006)

Teachers must be taught prior to entering their first job how to integrate technology in their classrooms. Therefore, all teacher preparation programs should model effective integration of technology. Many programs have already chosen to transition to some classes being distance learning, or online courses, to fulfill this requirement. Teachers must not only understand how to use technology, but also how to integrate it on a daily basis into their instruction to the benefit of their students. (The Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020, 2006)

Administrators must emphasize the importance of technology in a variety of ways. They must budget money for both materials and equipment, and also for staff development as a teacher support. Also, they must set an example of technology use in the school. They can do this by using data in decision making and by relying on technology themselves. Administrators must hold teachers accountable for meeting technological goals, just as they do in other content areas. (The Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020, 2006)

A good infrastructure is imperative to the achievement of all four of the goals above. Schools should have equitable access to all e-learning technologies through ubiquitous broadband resources 24/7 for all users. They should also provide quick technical assistance to support teaching and learning. Also, they should measure data securely and accurately, and set standards for accessibility for all users. If all of these things are there, then students can receive a rich, tailored educational experience within their school curriculum. (The Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020, 2006)

The immediate issues that need to be addressed in order for student needs to be met are a realistic and stable funding model for all aspects of technology, leadership and support in the area of educational technology, strategies to measure the progress of students and teachers in meeting technology proficiencies, and software standards to ensure the proper use of funds for technology. (The Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020, 2006)

My new learning can assist me as an instructional leader who is guiding technology use and integration at a campus. I am now more familiar with specific technology goals and how they must be addressed. I also now have information which will guide me toward addressing teacher concerns and helping them to move past them. Lastly, now that I have a greater understanding of the importance of the integration of technology in a student's education, I will be more supportive and hold my teachers more accountable in this area. (The Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020, 2006)

The Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020. (2006). Texas Education Agency.
Retrieved from http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/technology/lrpt/lrpt_lrpt.html.