EDLD 5352 Week 2 Blog Post 2 Texas long-range plan for technology Reflection

When it comes to the subject of long-range plan for technology in Texas, I had no idea that our state had one in writing. Honestly, I thought the majority of the things mentioned in this plan were localized goals in Texas school districts and learning institutions. I was amazed to see that there is actually a plan. In addition, the thought that vision is actually being carried out is astonishing. The Long Range Plans has guidelines and measures that include budgeting, implementation, and professional development as an on-going and evolving process. The vision provides guidelines for professional development opportunities, budgeting and funding for an implementation and resources, and addressing the needs for individual learners by providing them with a web portal of resources that maximizes the use of 21st Century technology. Another section of the Long Range Plan is the need for change. This section advocates the need for acquiring the skills of collaboration, self-motivation, problem-solving, life-long learning, and a host of other skill needed to succeed in today’s global society. In addition, the plan calls for a sense of urgency due to the increase of societal demands to teach outside of the classroom walls. The third sections address the 21st Century Learner. This aspect of the plan stresses that the content must be relevant and presented in various ways to address the needs of each student and society. In addition, a variety of learning environments must be provided to fulfill the needs of today’s students. The fourth section explains data from a study of teachers expressing how technology contributes to increased learning. The vision of the fifth aspect the plan has a vision of teaching addressing the challenges of teaching to meet the needs of a diverse population. Also, this section emphasizes that students need to acquire the skills of how to gather credible information in a safe manner. The sixth section of the plan outlines the vision and plan of educator preparation and development. Instructional strategies should reflect the current research, engaging content, and effectively measured assessments of student learning. This aspect of the plan insists that teachers must be provided with the tools to transform the teaching and learning process.

Knowing the components of the plan will help me in my quest of becoming a leader on campus. Through out the Long Range Plan, two aspects caught my eye as they were mentioned numerous times. The aspects of being innovative and having the opportunity for 24/7 access to learning inspires me. I feel that I now have a purpose to become more creative and innovative in the use of technology in the classroom. With an evolving and ever-changing global society, the Long Range Plan provides me with a map to achieve student success and learning.