EDLD 5352 Web Conference

The web conference experience on March 28, 2011 at 6:00pm was successful.  I attempted at least seven previous conferences and I was not allowed access.  The conference was exciting and informational.  The collaboration and conversations amongst the participants was exciting.  I found that I had to type fast in order to keep up with the conference.  In the beginning of the conference, the participants were communicating with one another and Dr. Abernathy in text form.  Later, Dr. Abernathy used her webcam and microphone to communicate; making it easier and less stressful for the participants.  Dr. Abernathy responded to typed questions by verbally answering or commenting on them.   Dr. Abernathy recommended a useful website to explore free Web2.0 tools.  The website is www.cooltoolsforschools.wikispaces.com.  The participants took a moment to find the website and list some examples of Web2.0 tools.  Participants also listed other Web2.0 tools they have found useful, as well.  Some questions were submitted during the conference concerning the TK-20 requirements.  Dr. Abernathy explained the usefulness of the TK-20 and encouraged everyone to purchase it if they have not already done so. There was discussion of how to submit the summary of the conference in order to recieve credit for the course.  There was discussion of how to contact Dr. Abernathy concerning any questions or comments in the future.  The conference was successful and informational.

Technology Action Plan

Action Steps/Tasks	Responsibilities	Resources	Timeline	Evaluation
Survey teachers to determine technology integration readiness and professional development needs.	Sunny Lee - Campus Teacher and Jacque Fitzhugh - Technology Director	Survey Monkey	This survey must be done in April.	Surveys results will be submitted to the SBDM for professional development decisions concerning technology.
Survey students to determine the level of proficiency.  This information will be used to gain insight and determine the professional development needs of teachers. Students will do this survey during their assigned computer time.	Sunny Lee - Campus Teacher and Jacque Fitzhugh - Technology Director	Survey Monkey	This survey must be done in April.	Surveys results will be submitted to the SBDM for professional development decisions concerning technology.
The district will purchase mimios for the remaining classrooms.  Professional Development regarding classroom implementation of the technology must be presented in a "hands-on" format.	Jacque Fitzhugh - Technology Director; Lori Henderson - Campus Principal & Sunny Lee - Campus Teacher	This training will be conducted in one of the computer labs on campus with a mimio set up for practice and software installed on computers for training.	This half day training will be required for all staff during "in service."	Teachers will produce a lesson with their teaching partner illustrating proficiency in mimio technology.  They will present their lesson to the participants.  Paricipants will fill out a survey to determine the level of readiness to incorporate this technology into lessons.
The district will purchase ipads for all elementary classrooms.  Professional Development must be presented in a "hands-on" format.	Jacque Fitzhugh - Technology Director; Lori Henderson - Campus Principal & Sunny Lee - Campus Teacher	This training will be conducted in the computer lab with wireless access.	This half day training will be required for all staff during "in service."	Teachers will use their ipad to search and download content apps.  Teachers will share the apps with the participants.  Facilitators will monitor and assist participants.  Particpants will fill out a survey at the conclusion of the training to determine the effectiveness of the training in preparing them for classroom integration.
The Campus Improvement Plan indicates a need for Professional Development on all DMAC components to ensure teachers are familiar with the possibilities of the program.  Teachers will learn to obtain data and generate reports.	Jacque Fitzhugh - Technology Director; Lori Henderson - Campus Principal & any SBDM committee members with knowledge in the	The computer lab and DMAC usernames and passwords for teachers to access their accounts.  The presenter will use a projector to demonstrate navigational techniques in the program.	This training will be held during teacher in service.  This training will be mandatory for all teachers to attend.	Teachers will print sample reports and work with partners to summarize data.  Teachers will fill out a survey at the end of the training to determine the level of comprehension and usefullness of the training.
According to the STaR Chart results, teacher are in a developing stage.  This indicates the need for training on how to  increase the use of technology by students.  Professional Development will be discussed and determined by the SBDM.	SBDM will determine if this training will be done "in house" or contracted.	SBDM will determine the resources needed.	This training will be held during teacher in service.  This training will be mandatory for all teachers to attend.	The SBDM will determine the evaluation method for this topic.
The SBDM and campus administrators  will determine the need for a technology section on the current lesson plan template.	SBDM and campus administrators will determine if adding a section to the lesson plan template will encourage teachers to implement technology more often.	Eduphoria lesson plan template.	The decision must be made by May to implement the change for the following school year.	The campus administrators will analyze the technology component to determine the percentage of time spent integrating technology according to lesson plans.
A professional development blog will be set up for teachers to read articles focusing on cyberbullying, ethics and copyright laws. Students will post in the blog and respond to at least two co-workers posts in the blog to receive credit. An online quiz will follow the articles to assess understanding.  This can be set up on www.classmarker.com or quizstar.4teachers.org .	Jacque Fitzhugh, Technology Director will set up the quiz and blog.  Lori Henderson, Principal will analyze the quiz and blog results to determine if more training is necessary.	Online computers available in any classroom, lab or at home.	This professional development will be available for teachers to complete during the first six week of the school year and may be counted as one of the comp days.	Lori Henderson will evaluate the online quiz results with the help of Jacque Fitzhugh.  Lori will also review the blog to determine which teachers have satisfied the requirements.

GES STaR Chart

Texas STaR Chart Presentation

GES STaR Chart

View more presentations from sunny_lee.

The National Educational Technology Plan

The National Educational Technology Plan endorsed by Obama and his administration is intended to improve education standards by increasing the number of college graduates and by ensuring learning is equitable for all students.  Teaching must change to meet the needs of the all learners regardless of race, economic status or sex.  Technology is one key component needed to reach these students.  Classrooms must advance to become 21^st century meeting the needs of 21^st century learners leaving traditional classrooms in the past.   Holding schools accountable for the shift to 21^st classrooms indicates a need for assessment in the level of technology integration.  The data obtained from the assessments will be used to determine the training and development needed to continue growth.  The 21^st century teacher becomes available 24/7 in a connected teaching capacity.  Building the knowledge base of the educators in the technology arena is one obstacle.  However, there is another larger obstacle of providing and aquiring the infrastructure needed to harvest the 21^st century classroom.  Broadband and wireless internet along with the servers and software must be aquired.  Technology in the homes of students has increased over the past few years and there is a large number of homes that are ready for the 21^st century classroom.  In order to meet the needs of all learners, all homes must have equal access to this opportunity.  The productivity component of this plan identifies the budget restraints in public schools.  Businesses have experienced similar restraint for years.  School districts can learn a great deal from the the method businesses handle their shortfalls. 

The 2010 Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology

The 2010 Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 communicates recommendations to prepare our 21^st century learners.  The needs addressed are based on 24/7 access to appropriate knowledge for students, parents and educators.  The plan is assessed through the use of STaR charts.  The progress report shows the Teaching and Learning component of the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 is in a developing stage of development.  This means the use of technology is mainly teacher directed.  The goal of the plan is for teachers to become facilitators – allowing students to take control of their learning.  The other developing section of the report is Educator Preparation and Development.  Technology Applications is a course intended to get students ready for the shift to 21^st century classrooms.  There are other programs and plans included in the Long-Range Plan intended to increase student and teacher fluency in classroom technology implementation.  The following are programs the Long-Range Plan implements to move campuses forward toward 21^st century learning. These programs and plans include:  the Technology Literacy Pilot, Technology Immersion Plan, Vision 2020 Grant, Target Tech in Texas (T3) Grant,  Connections Grant, Rural Technology Pilot Program, Distance Learning, Texas Virtual Schools Network, Electronic Course Program (eCP), Interactive Videoconferencing,  Digital Content and Instructional Materials, K-12 Databases,  Online Tutoring Pilot, Project Share, The Intel Teach Program, Technology Applications Teacher Network (TATN) Best Practices Event, STAR Grants, and Educational Technology Advisory Committee (ETAC).  The other sections of the Long-Range Plan including Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support and the section Infrastructure for Technology are characterized as Advanced according to the results of the STaR charts.  This is good news for schools.  The focus of the plan must turn to the teachers and students in order to increase the Teaching & Learning and Educator Preparation and Development sections.

The Texas Long-Range Plan

The Texas Long-Range Plan includes a section titled Teaching and Learning.  This area refers to the level of technology integration into the classroom.  However, the measure is not meant to measure the teacher’s use; it is meant to measure the student’s use.  This is extremely important in complying with the paradigm shift in education of the 21^st century.  Learners must be active participants and teachers must be facilitators of the learning.  Many teachers integrate technology in the classroom by using projectors hooked up to computers to give important notes or information.  Also, many teachers use document cameras in place of overhead projectors.  These are improvements; however, this is teacher directed learning.  Students need to get their hands on the technology in order to satisfy the Teaching and Learning component.  Taking this one step further is the intent of the No Child Left Behind, Educational Technology Program.  Students should create and direct their learning through the use of technology in all classrooms.  My campus is in line with the rest of the state of Texas in the progress of the Teaching and Learning area.  The current status of this area is “Developing”.   This indicates teachers on my campus and across the state are utilizing technology to instruct and enhance the curriculum in a teacher led capacity.  The teacher is at the front of the room “controlling” the environment.  The learning possibilities are limited to the teacher’s knowledge in the area.  The goal is to move toward teacher facilitated instruction where the students utilize technology to enhance their learning.   The “Developing” status in this area is not surprising; teachers have been trained to keep control of the classroom.