Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Educator Preparation and Development
In the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020, the area I have chosen to discuss is the Educator Preparation and Development. In order for teachers to educate the 21st century learners, they must be trained and educated in the best and most up-to date practices of educational technology. This area of the plan is divided into 6 focus areas. They are: Content of Professional Development, Models of Professional Development, Capabilities of Educators, Access to Professional Development, Levels of Understanding and Patterns of Use, and Professional Development for Online Learning. STaR Charts are showing gradual growths in these focus areas but many schools are still rated as developing.
Progress in this area has presented a challenge to my campus as well as to the state and nation. Some of the challenges have been to secure time, resources, and effective models for educator preparation and development. Distance learning has helped in making progress by allowing professional development to take place anytime and anywhere, eliminating many of the time and resource challenges. Once teachers learn how to use technology for their own learning, they will have a greater familiarity with the technological tools available and with the application of those tools in a classroom.
Trends in this area have been to offer more technology courses for teachers to increase technology integration in the classroom. My district has increased the number of technology courses being offered to teachers every year. Many universities are also offering full degree plans through online programs.
My recommendations for improvement in the area would be to continue offering courses and programs that help teachers integrate technology, but also ensuring that the content is current. These opportunities would best be utilized if they were presented through online courses. Districts should also allow teachers opportunities to collaborate with other teachers that are considered Advanced in this area. These are just a few ways to prepare teachers for educating 21st century learners.
Progress in this area has presented a challenge to my campus as well as to the state and nation. Some of the challenges have been to secure time, resources, and effective models for educator preparation and development. Distance learning has helped in making progress by allowing professional development to take place anytime and anywhere, eliminating many of the time and resource challenges. Once teachers learn how to use technology for their own learning, they will have a greater familiarity with the technological tools available and with the application of those tools in a classroom.
Trends in this area have been to offer more technology courses for teachers to increase technology integration in the classroom. My district has increased the number of technology courses being offered to teachers every year. Many universities are also offering full degree plans through online programs.
My recommendations for improvement in the area would be to continue offering courses and programs that help teachers integrate technology, but also ensuring that the content is current. These opportunities would best be utilized if they were presented through online courses. Districts should also allow teachers opportunities to collaborate with other teachers that are considered Advanced in this area. These are just a few ways to prepare teachers for educating 21st century learners.
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