Teaching and Learning with Technology

Teaching and Learning is one of the four areas in the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology. I feel as if this is the second most important aspect of the Long Range Plan after Infrastructure. The Infrastructure for Technology are the tools and the Teaching and Learning aspect is using the tools and using them properly. Teaching and Learning with Technology is successfully integrating and aligning technology with curriculum. It is being able to teach students with technology and have students use technology responsibly to learn and prepare students for the workforce and college.

The progress in this area is not great. According to Texas data, from 2002 to now, there has not been a lot of progress. The numbers are pretty similar throughout the different tech levels. I have been in and out of classrooms as a teacher for several years. I have been at the elementary, middle, and high school level and in schools of all backgrounds. I have seen a slight progression of students learning from technology. I have never been on a campus where every teacher has not had a computer and internet access in their room.

For the area of Teaching and Learning I would recommend that the best way to improve this area is to focus on the area of Administration and Support. I believe that the teachers can be empowered to use technology more in the classroom with the support behind them. I also believe that the Administration is the one that leads a vision on a campus. The leaders on the campus cannot only be the support but they can be the ones to find great professional development for on going learning and stratigies.