In an age where technology is constantly changing, it is very important that each administrator and teacher be knowledgeable and proficient with the technology available in today’s world. I believe that technology should be available to each child at each grade level. I believe that teachers need to be trained, in order to become proficient and excited about integrating technology into each of their lessons. This being said, I also believe that it is a districts' responsibility to provide teachers with adequate training, support, and supplies needed, to effectively use technology in the classroom. School districts need to be in tune to how the uses of new technologies are constantly impacting teachers and learners. Districts must be willing to frequently change in order to integrate new technologies as they become available.
Districts must develop teachers to become excited and proficient with the use of new technologies that will impact education for the better. I believe that teachers and administrators need to, themselves be, active technology users in order to share their enthusiasm and technological skills with their students. I believe that technology should not be a separate area of education, but become an interdisciplinary link between each subject area and each facet within the learning community. Teachers should use technology as a way to interact with other classrooms throughout the world. Teachers must embrace technology as a way of bringing otherwise intangible, far away experiences right into their classroom and onto the laps of their students.
Students must see a variety of different technologies incorporated into their daily learning experiences. Not only must they see it incorporated into their daily lessons, but they must also be given plenty of opportunities to use the skills they have learned on their own. Students must be able to use the internet as a place for research. Students must be given the skills to judge the validity of the websites they choose to use in their research. Students must also be proficient in word processing.
A commitment to education in the area of technology will provide students with the knowledge to understand what technology can help us to achieve. By becoming active users of technology students will be prepared for their future educational endeavors and future careers. Becoming proficient in technology will make students better problem solvers, and therefore equip them with the skills needed to solve the problems of today, while preparing for the jobs of tomorrow.
In order to ensure this will take place the following will occur:
Teachers and administrators will be provided with up to date equipment to meet changing technology demands.
Teachers and administrators will be educated in the use of these technologies through ongoing professional development.
Training opportunities will be offered to staff members to review, update and extend their technological knowledge in order to build the groundwork for classroom integration.
Teachers and administrators will model the use of technology in their daily lives for their students and coworkers
Technology will be added into daily lessons using a flexible curriculum that will meet the needs of all students regardless of their abilities.
Teachers will help students to become, literate, independent, lifelong, learners capable of using technology to solve problems, research, and word process.
Teachers will be encouraged to keep an up to date classroom website to communicate classroom activities with parents.
Staff will use email as a form of communication with parents and coworkers.
Stakeholders will use an online grade book as a means to keep posted of student achievement.
Parents will be educated on how to use technology to increase their involvement.
Students and teachers will become responsible users of technology.
Students will be able to word process, research, and problem solve using a variety of technological media.