Web Conference Reflection

Through reading the web conference notes from February 12^th, I quickly discovered that I am not the only one that has concerns about TK20 and all of the requirements for that program before graduation. I also learned valuable information regarding the LCE exam and the ILD classes, which I was unaware of the ILD class before reading this web conference. I have gained some good study resources to prepare for the LCE.  I feel that somewhere along the way we should have been made more aware of the proper usage and expectations of TK20, because now I realize I am not the only one who has had some confusion. There are many of us, even looking at other web conferences as well; it is always a topic of conversation.

Technology Action Plan

Action Plan for Technology
Goal: Increase the amount of technology that is being used across the campus, which will in turn prepare students for their future endeavors in a society that has an ever evolving technology base.
Integration and Implementation of technology	Person Responsible	Principal’s    Role	Professional Development	Evaluation
Students in grades three through five will be using the science program Gizmos to increase engagement and higher level thinking in the area of science.	Third through fifth grade teachers will be responsible for developing a schedule for students to engage in the program.	Support the teachers in developing the plan for implementing the program.	Third through fifth grade teachers will participate in a professional development course to better understand the program in order to support students.	Data will be gathered from testing results before the implementation of the program and then after six weeks use to see if any progress has occurred.
Adding additional wireless technology across the campus. (laptop carts for each grade level)	Technology liaison for the campus will be responsible for keeping track of the progress of the addition provided by the district.	Aid in finding the necessary funds for the addition of the laptop carts.	Teachers will be brought into a professional development that will give direction on how to add programs, instruct students on proper usage, and how to maintain the laptop carts.	Data will be gathered from various teachers and instructional  programs that are used on the laptops to check for additional usage on the programs.
Analyze STaR chart data that is received each year.	Technology liaison for the campus will receive the data and meet with the administrations to analyze it.	Meet with technology liaison to decide what action should be taken in the professional develop-ment.	Data will be presented at the professional development and teachers will be shown strategies to improve the areas that were lacking.	The areas that needed improvement will be assessed quarterly, as opposed to waiting an entire year for results.

Texas STaR Chart

<div style="width:425px" id="__ss_11359332"> <strong style="display:block;margin:12px 0 4px"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/lauren0613/the-texas-s-ta-r-chart-11359332" title="The texas s ta r chart" target="_blank">The texas s ta r chart</a></strong> <iframe src="http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/11359332" width="425" height="355" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <div style="padding:5px 0 12px"> View more <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/" target="_blank">presentations</a> from <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/lauren0613" target="_blank">lauren0613</a> </div> </div>

Texas Long Range Plan for Technology: Teaching and Learning

Teaching and learning through technology is a valuable tool for creating experiences. Technology can also be used to aid in differentiated instruction through distance education.  This way a student can work with students across the state that have the same experiences and are on the same level, as opposed to everyone in one classroom doing all of the same work. Technology and distance education can help ensure that students are graduating and being properly prepared for their future careers. Many learners that use technology can be learning on a level that is appropriate and of their interest.

Challenges in teaching and learning include curriculum alignment, more time and opportunities for teachers to instruct with technology and for students to have hands on time with it. There is also the lack of time in the instructional day for students to be doing these things along with all of the other curricular requirements of the state.

 Progress includes schools across the state gaining access to more technology resources to be used in teaching and learning. Teachers are implementing technology into their classrooms more frequently. Students have more opportunities to grow as learners and increase the rate of graduation across the state, therefore helping students be more prepared for their careers.

 Recommendations would be to have checkpoints before grade eight for teachers to get an idea of what areas that students need improvement and get them on track.  Instituting a state wide initiative would get everyone on the same track and provide all students with the same opportunities.