Long-Range Plan for Technology

• Vision 2020
  Vision 2020 is a 24/7 plan for focusing on technology and is divided into two phases in order to better reach the goals. It supplies students with learning opportunities, parents with access to learning resources and student information, and educators with resources and professional development opportunities. The objective for this vision is for students to gain authentic experiences in technology-rich environments, while mastering the technology TEKS.
• Defining the Need for Change
  Because of the constant growth of technology across the globe as well as the large influx of students in Texas each year, educators and educational leaders must incorporate the ability to use information and communication technologies as an essential skill in the curriculum for today’s students. 21st century students are now part of a continuously changing technological environment, thus the goal of educators must be to empower them to live and learn.
• Introducing the 21st Century Learner
  21st century learners are unlike those in times past. These learners are part of an age of constant communication. Therefore, educators must provide them with technical, as well as the traditional reading and writing skills, and must tailor the learning to meet the individual needs of the students through a mass of learning resources.
• Teacher Voices
  After surveying of 5,000 teachers in Texas on their views and opinions of technology in the education system, 57% of teachers stated that the primary impact of technology in education is student engagement. On the other hand, though this is true, 59% of the teachers surveyed also admitted that the lack of time during the school day is the primary obstacle preventing them from regularly incorporating technology in the classroom. In order to use computers for more than just professional purposes, these teachers reported a desire for additional professional development in technology.
• Teaching and Learning
  Today’s students are rapidly becoming part of a global economy. By incorporating technology into the classroom and supplying learners with access to technologies 24/7, the learning environment is equalized, and the playing field is leveled for all students.
• Educator Preparation and Development
  In order to better integrate technology into the curriculum, continuous professional development is essential for all educators. Without it, educators will not have the skills they need to change instruction to meet the needs of all learners.
• Leadership, Administration & Instructional Support
  The Long Range Plan supplies guidelines for leadership, administration, and instructional support. Some highlights of these guidelines include: sharing a vision and expectations, serving as a catalyst for change, providing opportunities for staff development, developing and monitoring a dynamic technology plan, and creating innovative learning environments.
• Infrastructure for Technology
  Infrastructure in technology connects schools to each other, to external resources, & to the Internet. In order to meet the high expectations of technology-savvy students, educational leaders must provide an environment that is safe, secure, flexible, scalable, and reliable, supply access to 24/7 E-learning opportunities, and have technical support readily available.
• Study of Needs
  In order to meet the goals of the long range plan, the following are some of the needs that must first be met: a realistic and dependable funding model, leadership and support in educational technology, strategies to measure student/teacher progress, and software interoperability standards.
• 
  By knowing the ultimate vision of where technology education in Texas is headed, as an instructional leader, I will better be able to create a similar vision for my own campus. This vision will mirror the goals of the state, as well as meets the individual needs and interests of my students.