EDLD 5352 Instructional Leadership Week 2 Blog #1

Texas Long Range Plan for Technology 2006-2020: Teaching and Learning

The goal of the teaching and learning plan is to ensure that students are fully engaged in the learning process. There is more of a focus on individualized instruction than on the traditional "one size fits all" approach. The overarching goal is to equalize the learning process.



For Teaching and Learning there are several goals to keep in mind. One, that students "have access to relevant technologies, tools, resources, and services for individualized instruction 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week." Secondly, that students "use information and communication technologies to collaborate, construct knowledge and provide solutions to real-world problems and situations that are encountered. " Thirdly, all learners "use research-based strategies in all subject areas to improve academic achievement." Finally, a goal for all learners is to "communicate effectively in a variety of formats for diverse audiences." (p.16)



Substantial progress has been made in this area since the start of this plan in 2006. Students are receiving more access to technology programs and teachers are better trained to incorporate technology into the classroom. Through careful implementation districts are increasing access to many important resources vital to the 21st century student. Many districts are reporting that their achievement scores are increasing due to increased technology usage. The national plan for technology improvement includes a 7 step process. Leadership needs to be strengthened, budgeting needs to become more and more innovative, teacher training needs to be improved, online learning needs to be supported, broadband access needs to be supported and encouraged for teachers and students, a movement towards digital content, and finally data needs to be integrated. Within this national plan are recommendations for the state, local districts, and schools. For example under the heading of improving teacher training 5 suggestions are made. One of those suggestions is that districts need to make sure new teachers are being better prepared in technology usage.

There is certainly room for improvement in this area. Teachers need to be constantly improving in technology and keeping up with trends as new technology is created. The better teachers know technology the better they can pass it along to their students. It is very important to assess educators' technology leadership knowledge and skills. We have to know what level we are as a state in order to make steps towards improvement. Educators are responsible for teaching the future citizens of our country how to function in an ever-changing technological world.



Texas Education Agency. (2006, November). Texas Long Range Plan for Technology 2006-2020. Retrieved from the TEA website: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/.