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.