Week 4 Evaluation

Evaluation Planning for Technology Action Plan

The five goals of the Technology Action Plan will be evaluated using the objectives described under each goal. Evidence related to the objectives will be collected periodically during a specific time period set forth by a district technology committee.

Evaluation Participants:
Curriculum staff, instructional technology staff, teachers, campus technology teams, media specialists, and campus administrative teams will work with an independent consultant and the district’s Department of Planning, Research, and Evaluation to implement the evaluation process.

Evaluation Strategies:
Direct observations of teacher and student activities in the classroom will be central in the evaluation process. Examinations of classroom work products, various written records, including purchasing and receiving records, will be included. Demonstrations of technology implementation and classroom use will be available.

Teacher STaR Chart Self Assessment:
Throughout the evaluation process, the results of the teacher self assessment will be monitored, and teachers and campuses will be provided with feedback related to their progress. Teachers will periodically complete self assessments relative to the most basic level, Early Tech, and Developing Tech, progressing to Advanced Tech, and finally Target Tech, where students have on demand access to technology and where activities are seamlessly integrated into all content areas. Also included at the Target Tech level, district staff will meet the SBEC standards and all classrooms will be connected to WAN.

Campus Staff Development:
Campuses play a vital role in implementing and supporting the Action Plan. Administrators are responsible for campus-based planning and support for staff development as described in the individual Campus Improvement Plan (CIP).

Campus Improvement Plan:
The Campus Improvement Plan will be a showcase for individual campuses to demonstrate the technology integration that takes place on their campuses. This CIP focuses on the four areas assessed by the Texas Teacher School Technology and Readiness (STaR) Chart: Teaching and Learning, Staff Development, Administration, and Infrastructure.

Dazzlers Utilize Technology

Week 4 Technology Plan

Professional Development Planning
Cypress Ridge High School
December 2009

Technology Action Plan
This action plan is designed to guide the district and campus in the use of technology throughout instructional settings. Our goal is to have increased academic performance and provide professional development to implement technology appropriately, effectively, and efficiently.

Cypress Ridge Campus Goals towards Incorporation of Technology

Goal 1
Provide professional development for teachers, administrators and media specialists to ensure effective use of educational technology.

 Develop and implement a comprehensive professional development plan aimed at improving technology skills.
 Provide the necessary resources and time for teachers to learn how to integrate technology into the curriculum to achieve educational objectives.

Goal 2
Increase academic performance through integration of technology into teaching and learning.

 Utilize and provide training for instructional software that develops skills and content necessary for academic achievement.
 Students will use age appropriate technology to conduct research, to solve problems, to analyze data, and to collaborate and communicate with experts and peers.
 Revise and update curriculum guides to reflect technology integration.
 Develop and encourage the use of the district online curriculum.

Goal 3
Support all stakeholders in the use of emerging technologies enabling collaboration, problem solving, and communication with a variety of audiences.

 Collaborate routinely with curriculum departments.
 Develop campus-level technology teams to mentor and assist principals, librarians, teachers, and staff.
 Provide an on-line forum for group discussion, shared resources, and staff development options.

Goal 4
Assessment will be completed to evaluate the budget and effectiveness of the technology action plan.

 District officials along with the campus principal will ensure money in the budget for hardware, software and professional developments.
 The district will incorporate ongoing technology planning that includes budgeting and professional development in campus and district improvement plans.
 The district and campus will evaluate the effectiveness of the action plan by looking at the STaR Chart, TAKS scores, classroom observations, online surveys, reviewing websites, use of forethought in Eduphoria, Skyward use, and looking at student technology work samples.

Goal 5
Complete technological priorities to guarantee customer satisfaction.

 Maintain district and campus instructional support for the integration of technology into teaching, learning and school operations.
 Provide sufficient technical staff to provide timely repair and technical support.

Star Chart Slide Show

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Star Chart Slide Show

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Week 2 Part 2

Leadership is the area of focus I have dissected for the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology 2006-2020. Since I plan on taking on an administrative role within the next few years of my education career, I figured it would be best to spend time becoming familiar with the demands and expectations in the area of technology. To be quite frank, I was overwhelmed. There has been much time and attention set aside by the Texas Education Agency and State Board of Education (TEA and SBEC) in the area of technology advancement. I found that the following categories fall on the shoulders of educational leaders: vision, planning, instructional support, communication and collaboration, budget, and online learning opportunities. Within these categories I found that the most progress has to be driven from the local level. For example, within a school district the vision, planning and budgeting must be addressed before the students will be able to seek gains from technology. Most students at the high school level perceived technology taking a higher priority in education within the next four years. Once local agencies (districts and campuses) are able to move forward with planning and budgeting, then teachers can begin implementing the technology on their end by integrating instruction. Other trends I discovered was the push from the state level. Governor Rick Perry and TEA Commissioner Robert Scott are prepared to push the technology movement forward. Since the expiration of the 1988-2000 Long Range Plan, SBEC and TEA have made a priority of keeping a vision of how to move technology in a parallel direction with education. Despite having a large task on our hands, discovering more avenues for technology applications will be exciting and rewarding for our students.

Week 1 Part 4

After reviewing the Pre-K requirements, I found students are required to review components of the computer and keyboard. They are able to perform basic technology applications which in turn lays the ground work for future technology applications. Examples of areas students in pre-K will be able to utilize these opportunities extends both in and out of the classroom. As the mother of a five year old and three year old, I am amazed at the level of knowledge young learners have just merely by being exposed to the computer. From seeing their parents use email, Internet, etc. The curiosity is there! Some scaffolding lessons pertinent might be to have students engage in patterning, selections of color, shapes, numbers and letters. These basic principals will not only be building their knowledge of prominent information, but also computer skills.

Week 1 Part 3

In the Long-Range Technology plan, it is imperative that all teachers meet the requirements for the SBEC in the area of technology. In order to help teachers attain meeting this goal (as Department Chair) I would like to offer specific technology trainings or staff development sessions to assist teachers with integrating technology. Our campus technology liaison along with our Academic Achievement Specialist have already been in the process of holding share sessions to make sure teachers are equipped to make technology a priority.

In order to take this to our district level in the content of dance, I plan to integrate technology during our district staff developments. In October we worked to incorporate a video clip showing dance/drill team's history (aired on the "Eyes of Texas" KPRC Channel 2) and progression over the last forty years. This clip began discussions and fused a buy in for how powerful video can be for not only teachers,but also for students. We also set a goal for district implementation of Sound Forge (music cutting/editing) software. This will enable all of the dance educators in our district to be on the same page and give our students equal opportunities for growth in technology.

Week 1 Part 2 Reflection

The two technology assessments were very informative and gave me quite a bit of insight on where I stand as an educator in the category of technology. In the first assessment there were four areas- foundations, information acquisition, problem solving and communication. My two most prominent areas were foundations and problem solving. I feel like when I am approached with technology challenges, I am able to outsource answers and find ways to become more proficient. Even if it means teaching myself as I go along- I find that when I don't know the answers or method of remedy; I will do my best to find out and learn solutions along the way. In the area of communication, I definitely feel like I have been able to explore technology. Primarily when dealing with parents, I am able to utilize my school 'teacher web page' as well as my website for my dance team. I have also been able to send attachments via email and make sure to direct parents to navigate through our school site for additional information.

In the SETDA survey "the Teacher" portion was quite extensive. We had completed a similar survey to this on our home campus. Again, the results told me familiar tendencies. I am willing to seek answers when I have technology challenges. I also will do my best to find answers. For example, when I opened my campus in 2003, each classroom was issued a large television and VCR. DVD players and projectors were hard to come by and now the demand is certainly on the rise for projectors to be installed in every classroom. In fact, we are currently looking for storage for the large televisions and AV carts!

I feel like I still have much to learn in the category of technology. My strengths would be my willingess and attitude to want to learn. My biggest weakness would be my comfort level with the 'old' way of doing things. At first I don't feel comfortable trying new strategies, but I am willing to practice so that 'it' becomes second nature. I also find my students know the answers most of the time! They dabble in technology every day- it is part of their common language. As teachers, we must do our best to keep up. I am a life long learner, so whatever it takes.