Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 - Educator Preparation and Development (23-28)

Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020
Educator Preparation and Development (23-28)
Description: There is a vision for education professionals to be proficient in technology to be able to model appropriate use for students and to meet the requirements to deliver instruction in technology. Teacher preparation programs will ensure that beginner teachers will have a broad understanding of technology. There are a list of recommendations to the TEA, SBEC, ESCs, LEAs, Teacher Preparation programs and to the parents, communities and the private sectors to better prepare and support educators to deliver instruction in technology applications.

Teachers need the skills necessary to prepare students to work and live in an environment that is heavily embedded with technology. Teacher preparation programs need to be designed to provide future teachers with the skills needed to pass on to the students. This seems to be a challenge for the state to provide resources and training to teacher preparation programs. With more colleges and universities offering distance learning, it is making it possible for teacher training to be availabe anytime and anywhere. In addition, furture educatiors are using technology for their own learning which means they already have the technological skills. These types of learners will be more likely to use technolgoy in their classrooms.
According to the Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020, “Texas educators and librarians showed slight gains in the area of Educator Preparation on the Texas Teacher STaR Chart when comparing the past two years – from September 2006 to August 2008” (TEA, 2008). Teachers are becoming more and more aware of the significance of technology for both themselves and students. Administrators are also aware of the significance of training in this area as well. Districts need to be aware in terms of budge allocation and integrating technolgoy into the core curriculum.
My recommendation would be that teachers and teacher preparation programs work to meet the standards set by SBEC. This includes using technolgoy in classroom situations as well as evaluating and analyzing data. Teachers should strive to use different applications and programs to meet the diverse needs of students.