My Web Confrence

I made everyone in my family mad because I had to stay home from church to attend a web conference. This would have not been bad, but this was the only one that I could attend. I have been busy with school or church for every other one that was scheduled. I coach baseball and its tourney time so I have games way to much, but anyway. I logged on at 7:20 the first time. I then realized that I logged in with my middle name. Opps. After sitting here for about five minutes I realized my mistake. I then closed everything and logged on at 7:28 (yes I made it in time I was thinking) and was greeted by what sounded like a ghost dying. Both my boys and dogs ran to the computer wanting to know what in the world was going on. I said I am at a meeting for school to which my oldest replied I don't want to go there if it sounds like that dad. I did not have a web cam or a mic because I was too cheap to buy one and I was hopping I was not the only one. I was right there had to be 50 or 60 people that were logged on. There were some comments about the Texas games and there were a few comments about homework and how to post it. That was really what I needed. I then saw Dr. Abernathy post her email address at gmail. Then she shut down the conference saying that there were to many people. I think that was around 7:40 or so. I must say that my first web conference was a dud. I like the idea, but the whole reason I took online course is because I am busy and it is hard to find time during the week to attend one and on Sunday I go to church, play with my boys and try to get ready for the school week. I think it might work better if it where more like virtual hours where the instructors set a block of time each day and answered questions. Students could then come and go as they pleased.

Smithville technology plan

Smithville technology plan

Smithville technology plan

View more documents from biggin93.

National Educational Technology Plan

This is part of the National Educational Technology Plan. This plan calls for a dynamic transformation in the way that we use and integrate technology in the classroom. This plane calls to get more technology into public education by communication, innovation and research. Technology plays a major role in today's society both at home and in the workforce. If we are going to keep up with a changing world and a changing workplace we must incorporate more technology into our classrooms thereby improving student learning.

Now that many students have access to the internet 24/7 schools must find ways to keep students both active and engaged in lessons at school. We must find ways to maximize our student's potential through new and innovative technology options. The use of technology opens up doors to the outside world that previously had not been opened to our students. We must still teach the basics, but it is becoming imperative that we teach collaboration and the use of multimedia communication.

We should be teaching the same technology that students are going to use in the professional world one day. Examples of the technologies include: the World Wide Web, wikis, blogs, research, office programs, etc. The truth be told our students often have a lot more technological knowhow than the average teacher. We as teacher must embrace technology rather than being scared off by it. We should allow students a variety of means and ways to complete and turn in assignments. The use of technology allows us to reach more kids, keep them engaged longer and expose them to a wider variety of topics.

Texas Long Range Progress Report

The Texas Long Range Plan for Technology is a yearly progress report for state of Texas ISD. This very detailed report is completed by districts throughout Texas by completing the STaR Chart. The report contains progress that is being made by districts and campuses throughout the state in the area of technology. The report also contains new programs that are being piloted throughout the state. Project Share is one new program that is being implemented. Project Share is currently being used by some regional service centers and educators. Project Share allows for educators to gain professional development hours by creating learning communities from across the state to collaborate on different projects. Project share also allows for personalized or individualized staff development at the campus level. Project Share can also be used much like social media such as Facebook, or my space. When you create a user account with the Share Project you set up a portal that you can use to send and receive email, keep a calendar and notes. Teachers can also join your portal and add links to resources that can be used in the classroom.

The Long Range Plan has four areas including: Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development, Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Support, and Infrastructure for Technology. The progress report gives a detailed description of the status for each area. Across the state districts are in the developing or advanced stages. This shows we are headed in the right direction.

Week Two Part Three

The Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020: shows that infra structure is quickly advancing in classrooms in the state of Texas. The infrastructure looks at everything from connnectivity of the campus; how many computers per student; to how big of a help staff each district has. Currently over half of the districts in the state of Texas are rated at advanced tech or beyound in this category. This rating means that there is on demand access for every student and that all classrooms are connected to a wide area network. It is imperative that Texas keeps pouring money into the infrastructure area of education. As laptops become cheaper and books more expensive it is not unresonalble to think that the state will stop buying books and provide money for digital curriculm instead. We must stay advanced in this to keep producing the best students possiable. After all the ratings are given for the state there are examples of how different districts are using technology. Many districts have laptop programs going, some have even started IPOD and IPAD curriculims. We must find ways to accomindate new technologies into the classroom to grab the attention of every student that walks in the door. At the current district I am in we do not have the funds to have the latest and the greatest, but we have several smart boards and elmos. The kids really like using the smart boards.

Texas STaR Chart Powerpoint

Smithville high school star chart

View more presentations from Wayne Childs