Blog #2- EDLD 5352

Mission of Texas Public Education is based on the idea that “a general diffusion of knowledge is essential for the welfare of this state and for the preservation of the liberties and rights of citizens. It is further grounded on the conviction that a successful public education system is directly related to a strong, dedicated, and supportive family and that parental involvement in the school is essential for the maximum achievement of a child.”

Texas technology standards referenced in the tech plan that teachers must meet the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) Technology Applications standards, and students must meet the Technology TEKS. There was nothing in the SBEC standards which references the need for of requires collaboration. A big goal of the tech plan is extending learning to the home / to parents. Schools should have a way to assess how well they are extending learning to homes. A distributed learning environment is a key phrase.

SBEC technology standards require for teachers: access to technology, quality professional development, time to implement technology infused lessons. Students must show they can acquire information, solve problems, and communicate with technology. Provided professional development must align to SBEC standards, must support lesson planning, classroom management, and administrative tasks. Content focused professional development must be provided schools should budget for TCO (total cost of ownership) as well as sustainability. Key goal is connecting schools, homes and businesses.

Key phrases include: dynamic, diverse learning communities create knowledge... apply it across disciplines, requires management of complex processes. Educators should be mentor, monitor and motivate" students, participate in communities of learning and inquiry, as co-learners and researchers, and leaders provide stewardship for universal education. The Infrastructure should support interoperability and should be benchmarks with exemplary school around the entire nation, not just the state.

Teachers should take advantage of technology to make learning more engaging and relevant. All learners should have access to resources for individualized instruction 24/7.