Focusing on Teaching and Learning

The STaR Chart area that is our area of focus this year is Teaching and Learning. The other areas are important, but the purpose of the technology Long-Range Plan is to ensure that our students acquire the technology skills necessary to compete and succeed in the 21^st Century. Without the teaching and learning of the required technology student expectations, our students will not be proficient. We can ensure that essential technologies are available, that professional development is appropriate and needs based, that administration provides appropriate support, but it is impossible for us, as instructional leaders, to be in every classroom all the time. The target tech level for Teaching and Learning requires that:

· The teacher to serve as facilitator, mentor and co-learner.

· Students have on-demand access to all appropriate technologies to complete activities that have been seamlessly integrated into all core content areas.

· All technology Applications TEKS are met K-8.

· High school campuses offer all Technology Applications courses ad teach at least 4 courses.

As I analyzed our campus’ STaR Charts from the last three years, it was disappointing to see that our level of progress in Teaching and Learning had decreased from Advanced Tech to Developing Tech. This does not correlate with state and national trends. As I compared the 2007-2008 and 2006-2007 Campus Statewide Summary, it showed that the number of schools at Early Tech and Developing Tech levels had decreased while the number of schools at the Advanced Tech and Target Tech levels had increased. As I read the descriptors under the Target Tech level for Teaching and Learning, it was quite obvious where our campus is lacking. We have worked diligently on acquiring the needed technologies to ensure that our students have the essential learning opportunities needed to demonstrate proficiency. We have increased the number of COWs, Smart Boards, LCD projectors, etc. in an effort to eliminate the popular excuse, “I can’t integrate technology because we do not have the resources.” The resources are now available, but ironically, the level of progress in the area of Teaching and Learning has decreased. The problem is that our teachers have difficulties integrating technology into the content areas. Our students do spend a great deal of time on the computers, but they are usually working on skills practice or tutorial software.

In order to address this teacher need, I think it would be beneficial for our campus to create a Technology Learning Community. We could invite teachers who successfully integrate technology into the content areas to be a part of this learning community. We could then model lessons and provide examples of lesson plans that effectively integrate technology. I think providing a model would be an effective first step in the right direction.