Discussing Educator Preparation and Development

Educator Preparation and Development is a must for teachers who desire to be successful and effective in the classroom of 21st Century learners. This is true for veteran teachers as well as novice teachers just entering the public school system. Professional learning should be defined as an ongoing process. We have technology as a powerful tool in the classroom to enhance the learning of all students, but it is only as powerful as we allow it to be.

In an attempt to determine the success of meeting goals of the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 1996-2010, leaders were surveyed, additional data was reviewed from state provided tools such as; STaR Charts, Education Week’s Technology Counts longitudinal reports, TEA website, and the2002 Long-Range Plan for Technology 1996-2010. As a result of this survey, progress in the area included the development of a new Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020.

The trends for this new Technology Long-Range Plan for Technology 2006-2020 is that Technology Applications (TA) TEKS are required to be taught. In an attempt to help students master these TA TEKS, it is now required that graduates from educator preparation programs are required to pass exit level test assessing new teachers’ skills in technology. For veteran teachers, ongoing staff development must be provided in the area of technology. There is now a requirement for all students to have mastered the TA TEKS by the end of eighth grade. While these are just a few, there are many standards that are required to assure student proficiency in Technology Applications.

As for my recommendations, I would always suggest more and more ongoing staff development that provides specific new stategies to help students learn subject matter while becoming proficient in the TA TEKS. I would suggest distance learning for students and teachers alike. More training is certainly desirable for new digital tools and software so teachers and students can use programs and tools to their fullest potential.
This emersion into Technology opens the world for teachers and students alike. It allows us to safely travel around the world and meet other people in the comfort of our classrooms. It is so valuable for those visual learners. Technology is the future and we need to prepare our students for that world in which they will be the leaders.