Key Ideas of the Long-Range Plan for Technology

The overall plan is for teachers and students to master the use of technology, in an effort to make the educational system more effective and efficient.

The workforce is in a continual state of change and therefore the educational system must attempt to keep up with these changes in an attempt to keep students knowledge base where it needs to be so that the economy does not falter.

The 21st century student must be an analytical thinker in order to keep up with the information that will be required of them in the workplace of the future.

It appears that in Texas schools, teachers have come to a general consensus that more staff development and more access to computers for students is needed. With these two things added it will make learning more engaging for students and teacher will have more opportunities to expose students to learning that would normally be impossible.

The process of teaching and learning with technology evens the playing field for all Texas students. All students no matter the ability level, disability or financial status will be able to see and experience new learning through technology.

Today’s educator preparation programs must work to ensure that they are graduating teachers with the skills necessary to incorporate technology into their lessons when they enter the classroom. There should also be opportunities for seasoned teachers to improve their technological skills through distance education and staff development opportunities.

Administrators must configure a group of stakeholder that will come together to ensure that state technology standards are being met, as well as, come up with a plan to support the vision of the administrator. The group will also need to come up with a plan that will support the technological system in case of an electrical emergency. There must be a collaboration to ensure that the standards and requirement changes are always being considered. The administrators must model the use of technology and ensure that opportunities are available for staff to develop their technological skills.

The infrastructure will ensure the opportunity for all stakeholders to access critical information at anytime of the day or night. The infrastructure will make sure that the material presented is reputable and functional while still allowing room for growth in the students.

The study found a need for funding to maintain and enhance the current technology plan. There is a need to prolong and enhance the current programs and maintain opportunities for teachers and students to continue to progress toward the 2020 goal that has been set forth.