Infrastructure for Technology is the area of the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology that I find to be the foundation of technology education. I believe that teachers who are inclined to use technology will find training and utilize it in their classrooms. However, no matter the amount of self-motivated learning and usage they can be held back if they do not have the necessary tools. The goal of Infrastructure for Technology is to ensure that schools have high-speed connectivity along with digital tools and resources for every learner. This infrastructure must be reliable, safe, flexible and accessible. To provide customized technology education the infrastructure is essential in order to support the other areas on the plan. The plan says that there must be equitable access among all campuses. I see this as a challenge because district budgets are not equitable. The state sets this goal but does not necessarily provide the financial means to implement it. Despite this it appears that most districts are meeting the need as this category is considered to be Advanced for the state. Our school is advanced in this area due to the commitment of our district to fund this initiative. I wonder though how equitable it can be when so many districts are struggling with funding and cutting staff. Staff is needed to implement and maintain the technology. Keeping the infrastructure up-to date requires funding that is consistently available and reliable support. Our nation has continued to advance in technology access but there are still areas where students do not have the access or updated tools. I believe that while we are on the right traffic we have weak spots that need to supported and strengthened. Infrastructure is the foundation and the other areas require the tools to implement the teaching and learning that our students require.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Week 2, Part 2
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I agree with you when you say that teachers who are inclined to use technology will find a way. I see in my school teachers who have so many more resources available to them than other schools, yet they do not take the necessary steps to learn what to do with them. Although as a state we are advanced in infrastructure, I think it is sad to see how much more some schools have than others. The budget is a difficult concept to wrap my head around. If we are expected to have students successful with technology by the end of their 8th grade year, then every school and every district should have the same opportunitis, regardless of size, city they are in, and population.
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