Michael C. Warren

The Educator Preparation category in the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006 – 2020 is the lowest rated category in the Campus Statewide Summary. This key area is for how technology is used by the educators in their classroom and how funds are devoted to training. 75% of Texas educators use technology for administrative tasks and classroom management. The Technology budget only allows only 6% to 24% for professional development.

When a majority of schools are achieving this level then it is going to be hard to increase technology in the other key areas as well. Instructors are also students who need to be taught new technologies and how to use them in their classrooms. Teachers need to be able to give projects that use technology to students in every class that will help the students focus on the learning. More funding would go toward professional development.

A simple way to help improve how well educators are prepared would be to offer online training sessions. Teachers are very busy and it would be beneficial to offer training that they could do during their planning period, or at home or during holiday break. Programs such as Moodle would offer a low cost solution with teachers and administrators developing sessions for each other.  I have been using this with students for the past year and found it very useful. I think other instructors would find it useful for their training and to use in their classes.