Long Range Plan for Technology

The vision 2020 is a set of goals for students, educators, leaders, and infrastructure. These goals include students learning in a real-world setting. They have access to the needed technology for them to be successful. Educators will be prepared to teach students in this type of setting. The teachers will be more knowledgeable of the technology that is available and how to use that technology to support student’s learning. Leaders will support educators so they have the resources they need to implement this type of learning. The infrastructure will support the learners, educators, and leaders to ensure they have the tools they need to implement the technologies. The infrastructure will ensure they have the most up to date information and access whenever they need it. (The Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020, 2006)

The world is changing rapidly. We need to prepare our students for the future. When they need to find a job, they will be expected to be able to use this technology and use it efficiently in our globally diverse society. We need to provide our students with the opportunity to be proficient in technology, so they will have an equal opportunity to find a quality job. We want them to be able to continually learn and change in our ever changing world. (The Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020, 2006)

The 21st Century learner is one that comes to us and questions their learning. They want to know the purpose of their learning, and want to know how they relate it to their lives. We also know now that many students learn differently. As educators, we must be able to teach all students in a way that they can understand the information and in a way that they can use that information. Today’s students have access to many different types of technologies. They expect to be able to use technology in the schools also. (The Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020, 2006)

Most teachers use technology of some kind. Half of the teachers feel average with their technology skills. Teachers found that they had an increase in student engagement and student achievement with the use of technology. Most teachers want more staff development in the area of integrating the technology into their curriculum and instruction. (The Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020, 2006)

Students need to be fully engaged in their learning. With the use of technology, students are able to learn about the world around them, even if they are not able to leave their community. Students with learning needs are able to have their needs met more efficiently with the use of technology. Using technology allows educators to give all students the educational opportunities they need to be successful in school and even beyond. The use of technology allows us to better prepare our students for the 21st century. (The Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020, 2006)

As educators, we need to be prepared to make changes in the way we educate our students. We must be able to meet the needs of all of our students. In today’s society, those needs are becoming more and more diverse between each student. Teachers must be able to incorporate technology appropriately in their classroom, so that students are able to connect their learning to their world, and in order to do this, we must be educated ourselves. (The Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020, 2006)

We need qualified leadership to support our technology efforts in the classroom. We need to have administrators that are knowledgeable of the importance of technology in the classroom. As an administrator, they must find ways to ensure their educators are using technology to prepare the students for their future. Leaders need to ensure all students’ records will be recoverable in case of a disaster. Administration needs to be able to facilitate meetings where all campuses are having input in technology goals and how to implement those goals. (The Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020, 2006)

The infrastructure of a district is the main support for all areas of the technology plan. Some schools are no longer able to maintain the technology communication they once had because of funding. Texas must continue to support those schools, so they can continue to follow the plan and support the students’ learning. You must have qualified, reliable technology support personnel to ensure the technology is always running correctly. A 21st century infrastructure must be able to meet all students’ needs. (The Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020, 2006)

In order to know the technology needs of our students, ETAC has worked very closely with many levels in education to determine the needs of students and educators. All levels of education must work together to ensure our students are prepared to compete in our global economy. The investment we put into our students today will benefit our economy in the future with our students being knowledgeable and capable of using technology in the job market and to run our country in the future. (The Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020, 2006)

As an instructional leader, my learning can assist me to guide my educators in the right direction to teach our students in the most benficial way for them to learn. I will be able to better support my teachers with their technology goals. I will also be able to help support my educators better when they have questions or concerns about the use of technology. I also think as an instructional leader I have a better understanding of the importance of technology in the classroom, so I will be able to hold my teachers more accountable for implementing technology into their classrooms. In holding them accountable, I would want to be able to support those teachers in finding ways to implement technology into the curriculum. (The Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020, 2006)

The Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020. (2006). Texas Education Agency.
Retrieved from http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/technology/lrpt/lrpt_lrpt.html.