Web Conferencing-- February 13, 2012

My very first web conference!  I wasn't sure what to expect or if I could even figure out how to go this.  It was a lot more simple than I had originally thought.  Just click the link and sign in.  So much anxiety for nothing.

As the conference was in full swing, I wondered how I would use this type of technology in the classroom or in the future as an administrator.  I had many ideas. 

As a teacher: Students would love to use this for weekly meetings of any kind.  They can see me and other members of the classroom who are signed in.  If a student is not capable, for any reason, of coming to school, they could participate via webcam. 

As an administrator: Teachers could participate in professional development without sitting in a cramped room. More particpants could attend when there is limited space available.  I feel many more teachers would participate in Professional Learning Communities if they could attend by internet.

In the conference I attended, Dr. Abernathy answered many questions students felt were important to them. We discussed the assignment that was due for the week.  I was also confused on how the finished product needed to look. She cleared this up for all.  The topic of completing and passing the LCE was also discussed.  She gave relevant websites to visit before taking the exam to ensure success. This was indeed helpful information to me and others.  She also discussed a favorite topic: Graduation!  This was important to many students since most have just one class left to complete before we wrap up.  I had not even thought about graduation so this discuss brought the topic to the forefront of my thoughts.  Dr. Abernathy definitely made the festivities around graduation sound like an event not to miss. 

I feel the web conference was a success and a great way to obtain much information in a short amount of time.  The information could have been conveyed via email but I think the live interaction helped understand the information to a greater depth.  There was nothing to lose in translation or misunderstand because of wording that frequently happens in email.

I am hoping to get to web conference again soon.  It was an eye-opening experience.

STaR Chart Presentation

<div style="width:425px" id="__ss_11360515"> <strong style="display:block;margin:12px 0 4px"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/JennBoyd20/texas-s-ta-r-chart-pp-11360515" title="Texas s ta r chart pp" target="_blank">Texas s ta r chart pp</a></strong> <iframe src="http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/11360515" width="425" height="355" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <div style="padding:5px 0 12px"> View more <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/" target="_blank">presentations</a> from <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/JennBoyd20" target="_blank">JennBoyd20</a> </div> </div>

Educators and Technology

The purpose and mission of the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 is to ensure all Texas students have access to a quality education that will prepare them for a future of success in the 21^st century filled with an ever changing world of technology. The plan focuses on four major areas: Teaching and Learning; Educator Preparation and Development; Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Support; and Infrastructure for Technology.

While all four areas are of great concern at my campus, I feel the greatest need is in the area of Educator Preparation and Development. Educators today are preparing students for a world of technology that doesn’t even presently exist. It is important that all educators are kept current through in-going professional development of best practices for technology use in the classrooms and in the curriculum. According to the Campus Statewide Summary, 74.2% of Texas teachers are presently at the developing technology stage while only .6% of Texas teachers are at the target technology stage. Only 40% of Texas teachers are meeting the SBEC standards and 6-24% of the technology budget is allocated to professional development for teachers.  

Distance learning would help provide educators with opportunities to learn and grow. Educators need to look at their individual STaR Chart summaries and begin to make and set goals for becoming more current and literate with the changes in technology. It is important for educators to discover new and innovative ways to bring all aspects of technology into the classrooms to ensure the students are ready for a future of ever-changing technology.