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.