1/30/12
EDLD5352 EA1270- Blog Posting #1
Instructional Leadership EDLD 5352
Blog Posting #1:
According to the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, Educator Preparation and Development is an area that stresses professional learning and is an ongoing process that provides current educators with the knowledge and skills and classroom strategies to transform teaching and learning. Continuous professional learning is essential for all educators.
This particular area has received a lower rating on our junior high campus as shown on the STaR Chart for three consecutive years. State trends also show most schools to be in the same ranges, Developing (49%) and Advanced Tech (45.5%). I believe lack of options and time in professional development for technology is a significant problem for the campus as well as the state. Trends do show schools increasing slowly in these areas, so at least some progress is being made.
Recent national, state and local budget cuts in education have left teachers unable to travel to valuable “destination” workshops and the district itself does not have many options available for teachers online at this time. While the local service centers provide inservice training online, those also have to be paid for and are not usually free. It would be wise for teachers and administrators to use the options discussed in Burns M. (2002). From compliance to commitment: Technology as a catalyst for communities of learning. Phi Delta Kappan, 84(4), 295-303. Campus or district facilitators lead training with technology-integrated, learner-center approaches, where teachers do not have to feel they have mastered an application, but can use it enough to help students get started and learn the techniques together as they go. To me, one of the most valuable recommendations discussed was for the facilitators to have a “hands-off” approach, (they were not allowed to touch the mouse or keyboard) allowing the teachers to experience firsthand the process of the application. This approach requires teachers to work together to figure out the solution to the problem and remember the procedures to follow when needed again.
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