Reflections+for+Embedded+Assignments+EDLD+5306+Week+1


 * Week 1 Assignment, Part 1.3: ** ** Reflections on assignments in EDLD 5306 Concepts of Educational Technology as shown in the Course-Embedded Assignment document in the Resource section of the course. See Internship Handbook. (25 Points) **

Joe Ross ET8005  .....From this course, EDLD 5306 Concepts of Educational Technology I learned about the basic plans and mandates that the State of Texas Board of Education expects school districts to follow. The major plan is referred to as the Long-Range Plan for Technology, that began in 2006 and lasts through 2020. They give specific technology skills requirements they want addressed in this plan which are known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skill (TEKS) over this fifteen year period. Most of the new information gained revolved around the increasing technology skills that they expect at each grade level starting from kindergarten. I have not seen these required technology skills implemented in any classroom that I have seen in my district. This is especially true in the EC-4th grade technology content area.

.....Technology time in our school is either non-existent or the time is cut short so that students can be sent away to “retention” for extra reading and math instruction. Science content time falls in the same boat, a sinking boat. The principal demands the retention time in the reading and math. Our school was awarded Exemplary status this year for the first time in 10 years. Rumors were that the principal would not be around next year if we had not made Exemplary this year.

.....I am a rule follower and it bothers me that we have these state mandated and technology standards that are obviously important and required but at the same time the emphasis as we all know is all on the taks testing at the end of the year. My school under examination is a good example where the technology TEKS were not followed and very little effort expended by teacher or administrators at the school other than to do some creative writing on the reporting. The principal has the authority and no teacher will stick up for the need for all the content areas to be addressed properly and this unfortunately includes technology. That attitude from the teachers does not really puzzle me it makes perfect sense. Everyone wants to keep their jobs and stay in good with the principal. I will end with a question, it’s great that the school was named Exemplary for the first time in ten years but did he students really win in the big picture if they have not gained any technology skills that this course and the state have identified that they need in order to be successful 21st century learners and then workers. I don’t think so!