Ennis High School Texas STaR Chart - Lamar Masters

Texas STaR Chart presentation for Ennis High School - Striving for Target Tech!

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The Texas STaR Chart

As I've previously mentioned, I am very impressed with the "Texas Long Range Plan for Technology 2006-2020". My blog entry today will consist of my opinion over one of the four areas of the "Plan" - the Educator Preparation and Development section. I chose this area due to the difficulty of this section because of the differing technology skills of a campus, especially one as big as Ennis High School (This is our lowest scoring area on the STaR chart). Many of the new teachers have been exposed to technology for quite a while; not to mention all of their college studies in regards to technology. On the other hand, many veteran teachers are not as comfortable with different types of technology. At Ennis High School, our staff consists of teachers with a few years of experience as well as many teachers that are a couple of years away from retirement. Those teachers that are quickly approaching retirement are not as susceptable to all of the new technology training that is currently going on in our district. Those educators that are not technologically savvy can have trouble grasping the new concepts, while others only need a brief training session that builds upon prior knowledge. This disparity in learning can make Educator Preparation and Development very tough. Our trainers must prepare to teach to many different types of learners. On my campus, we scored "Advanced Tech" in this area, but it was the lowest score of the four areas. My suggestion to the district is to offer different types of technology training (maybe basic and advance training sessions), so that both the novice and experienced learners can be challenged. Another suggestion would be to offer interactive online training that can be done during conference periods.

Pre-K Technology Applications TEKS

As far as I could tell, Pre-K does not actually have technology TEKS? It appears that instead they have TEA "guidelines". I found a document on the TEA webpage that helped me considerably, specifically section 10, which was entitled the Technology Applications Domain. The five technology guidelines are in place to set outcomes for what a Pre-K child should accomplish during that year.
"Outcome 1"- Child opens and navigates through software programs designed to enhance development of appropriate concepts. Teacher strategies should include: providing time for technology use; model coumputer and software usage.
"Outcome 2" -Child uses and names a variety of computer input devices, such as mouse, keyboard, voice/sound recorder, touch screen, CD-ROM. Teacher strategies should include: provide instruction time to teach technology terminology.
"Outcome 3" - Child operates voice/sound recorders and touch screens. Teacher strategies include: model and discuss the use of voice/sound recordings and touch screen devices; provide a CD to listen to during independent play.
"Outcome 4" - Child uses software applications to create and express own ideas. Teacher strategies: model and discuss software usage; allow for interaction with software.
"Outcome 5" - Child recognizes that information is accesible through the use of technology. Teacher strategy: model and discuss how to access information from websites.
These guidelines are set up to ensure our young children begin obtaining the skills to be technology savvy. These guidelines are the precursor for future technology use by our students. These Pre-K guidelines begin the scaffolding effect for all technology TEKS (Pre-K to Kinder, Kinder to 1st thru 3rd, 3rd thru 5th, 5th thru middle school and finally middle school thru high school). Take one concept, build upon it, and then build upon it again. This is the sucessful guide that all of the TEKS for every subject follow for all grades.

The "Long Range Plan" for Educational Technology

I was so impressed by the "Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020"; I had no idea this was in the "works". The more I read about the program, the more amazed I became. I am not only excited about the opportunity of being an educator during this time of technological growth, but I am more excited to know that I will have 4 children that will be attending school during these exciting times.
Just the thought of having an online 24/7 educational opportunity is incredible. I realize it does not guarantee more parental involvement, but it sure does promote it - and that is a great thing! By allowing our students to be more interactive with their studies via digital platforms, we are promoting future success when they enter the "Real World".
Texas is not always thought of as having the best public school systems in the country, but with the implementation of the Long Range Plan, we are on the fast track to becoming the poster child for education.
Now that the plan is in place, I'm ready to be a part of the implementation. As an educational leader, I will have the opportunity to model the proper uses of technology and provide the proper staff developments to achieve the goals of the plan. I look forward to the many training opportunities that will better prepare me to become a more media-savvy educator!

****An update****
We had a staff development meeting at Ennis High School yestedray morning to inform us of new technology measures that will be going into place. We will be getting school e-mail addresses for all of our students as well as a new website platform that will allow teachers an easy format to create their own classroom websites. It appears the "Vision" is happening now!

Responses/Reflections to Technology Assessments

I was very surprised to realize how little I know about technology. I have always felt somewhat technologically savvy, but after doing the "Technology Applications Inventory", I realize how little I know. When looking at the "Foundations" domain, I noticed that I was only fluent at 6 of the 18 areas (and this was my high water mark on the assessment). On the "Information Acquisition"section I was unable to check yes to any of the questions. On the last two domains, "Solving Problems with Technology Tools" and "Communication", I could honestly only check "yes" to two questions. I am almost embarrased by my lack of technology knowledge and I grew up in the internet era.
The second survey I completed was the SETDA Teacher Survey (survey dealing with technology at school). As an English III and IV teacher at Ennis High School, this survey made me reconsider how little I am currently using technology in my classroom. As much as I personally use e-mail and the internet, I should take a similar approach with my students and their assignments. The survey left me with some other questions involving technology within our school district. I am not familiar with what kind if any data is being collected by our school regarding our students technology literacy. This survey also made me think about digital curriculum. The English department is going through a curriculum adoption and I am going to look at what forms of media come with the text books.
The last survey that I completed was "The Rubric for Administrative Technology Use". I felt like this was the truest technology survey. If I was the Principal at Ennis High School, I would answer "Level 3" to seven of the ten questions. There were three questions that I would give my school a "Level 2" rating ("Communications and Public Relations", "Online Research and Professional Development", and "Student Competencies" . I feel like our school is above average when it comes to technology and is always looking to improve. Our Curriculum Director does a great job of staying ahead of the technological "curve".

I am so glad that I completed these surveys prior to this class. I am highly motivated to learn as much as possible throughout this course and hopefully become considerably more "technological"!