Texas Star Chart Opinion

The Texas Star chart is divided into four areas. One of those areas is Teaching and Learning. The area of teaching and learning is further divided into Patterns of Classroom use, Frequency/Design of Instructional Setting Using Digital Content, Content Area Connections, Technology Applications TEKS Implementation, Student Mastery of Technology Applications, and Online Learning.



Locally my campus is in the stage of Developing Tech in this area. This means we have regular access to computers at least once a week, students are able to utilize technology applications, most teachers utilize technology to support learning, teachers are aware of the TEKS and 25% to 50% of the students have mastered the TEKS.



Statewide 70% of the campus fall in the developing stage in this area. This shows that a majority of the state needs to improve in this area. According to Texas's Long Range Plan we are striving for a Target Tech. Only .9% of schools are in the desired target area. Although we fall in the norm nationally in this area, we still have a long way to go to reach the target by 2020.



To increase in this area I believe we can increase professional development. This will give teachers ideas that they can utilize in the classroom. I believe that teachers lack the time to directly teach technology TEKS. Giving teachers an opportunity and time to plan in this area will help teachers colloborate and implement teaching strategies that will move students to the target mastery. Also, having a technology showcase each year will ensure that teachers are utilizing and implementing technology in the classroom. This will also help inform parents and get community involvement in the teaching and learning of technology. Having the accountability to produce products will give a measurable assessment of what students are mastering as well.

Star Chart Power Point

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Pre-K Technology Applications TEKS

Beginning as early as Pre-K students begin to cover the basic functions of computers. They are expected to be able to identify the basic computer parts and are able to use appropriate software programs. This lays the foundation for the technology TEKS that will be introduced in higher grades.

For example, On K-2 level students are expected to use a keyword search. By grades 3-5 students are expected to apply Boolean search strategies. Grades 6-8 searches expand to include other software, and by high school students are expected to use all available and appropriate electronic resources for searching.

The technology builds upon each other as the student becomes more proficient at each grade level. The spiral begins small and grows giving the students multiple opportunities to master their skills.

Long Range Plan for Technology Reflection

I was shocked at how ambitious this plan is and how far we have to go to reach the goals outlined in this plan. I really had no idea that Texas had a long range plan for technology. I think many teachers are unaware of the goals established for Texas in the area of technology as well. I now have an idea of the direction Texas is headed. Considering where we currently are it amazes me that students will eventually have 24/7 access. Our schools C-Tech even stated that for that to happen a city wide infrastructure would have to be established. It truely is amazing when you ponder what that would be like and how it would effect my job as an educator.

This sort of plan will have a huge effect on me as an instructional leader. I know I need to continue with my professional development endeavors as well as encourage my colleagues to learn more in the field of technology. An instructional leader needs to be able to model and create the vision of technology that others can follow. I will have to learn a lot more in order to do that. I will also strive to integrate technology in my classroom as much as possible to begin meeting the needs of the 21st Century learner.

Reflections on Technology Assessments

Based on the Technology Applications Inventory, I feel I have a strong foundational knowledge of technology. Information Acquisition was another strong area for me. I did agree with this assessment. I am able to do many things in technology and try to implement as much in my classroom as I can. A run a class blog to promote writing and last year we did a book reports in podcast format. The one area I could work on is communication. I think I have a strong working knowledge in this area but little time to implement and put these strategies to use therefore my answers on this assessment were "no". Also, I could use some additional training with databases. I have worked with databases some but my knowledge is limited.

Upon completing the SETDA survey, I feel our campus has a long way to go before we have successfully incorporated 21st century skills. We, however, are working toward that. We have this year implemented campus training sessions to incorporate and integrate technology in the classroom. We also have a campus technology representative available that can come to our classrooms and teach lessons on technology integrating a subject area. I am not aware of any tracking that we do on technology or how my campus tracks technology growth other than the STAR chart. This is an area I would like to explore further.

I feel I am a forerunner on technology at my campus. I am the grade level technology representative. Often, I am sought out to help troubleshoot technology issues. I believe this is the case partly because technology does not scare me and partly because I am just tenacious. I believe as an administrator I could be a good technology leader because of these qualities.