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Vision Paper

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VISION PAPER 7410

Vision Paper
Sonya Breaux
ITEC 7410

VISION PAPER 7410

Woodstock High School has a technology vision focused on STEM program.


WHS looks to integrate into the different subjects the use of appropriate technology
for the students and teachers. Last year teachers started to work more with
technology coaches. The motto is raising the bar, and implementing the use of
technology as a learning system to flip classes and ir acompaando also traditional
methods. In spite that we often are still based on the oldest learning theory of all,
[}, one-on-one tutorial, with monitor substituting for teacher as the tutor
(Creighton 2003, p. 47). Several teachers in my school are mistaking the real
concept of use of technology in the classroom, they believe that effective
technology integration correlates with how much hardware and software is available
in the classroom (Creighton 2003, pg. 68).
The technology we select needs to embrace students learning objectives and
give us, the teachers, the opportunity to grow professionally and enhance the
instruction in the classroom. Teachers need to re-assess applications and programs
that actually help students to face the 21 st century challenges. Teachers should help
students to build a foundation of learning for the students while letting the students
find their own strengths. Many teachers indicated that they use the computer me
more autnomo who is being able to classify, analyze, predict, and create through
technology (Creighton 2003, p. 50).

Our test scores have been lagging. Students will begin to thrive as we begin
to use technology to increase the levels of engaged learning while incorporating
constructivist learning and teaching. ISTE NETS for Students Essential Conditions
cites shared vision as Proactive leadership in developing a shared vision for

VISION PAPER 7410

educational technology. This needs to be a pact between all stakeholders involved


in the successful learning of students. Teachers, parents, support staff, community
members, and administrators need to work together as a unified front to help
students thrive. This means that there needs to be a vested interest of all parties
and a commitment to help our students be successful engaged learners. This vision
is in line with the Douglas County Technology Plan that states that all stakeholders
must be included in the support of student learning. Teacher-centered instruction
often fails to address individual learner needs (Hirumi, 2002). When constructivist
teaching is paired with technology, students will begin to have more independence
in their learning and an ownership that allows them to be a co-facilitator with their
teacher. As students engage in more and more authentic learning over the next few
years and as the technology implementation becomes familiar, our students will
begin to excel and teachers will have a better understanding of effective technology
instruction. The use of higher-order thinking skills while using technology and in the
classroom in general is critical. Student-centered approaches to teaching and
learning stress the importance of students' past experiences, exploring individual
needs and interests, promoting active participation, stimulating higher-order
thinking, and encouraging life-long learning (as cited by Hirumi 2002, pg. 498).
Interactive White Boards (IWBs) will hopefully become portals into virtual field trips
and tasks that require the student to engage in authentic learning. Computers will
be the tool used for students to become investigators that go on web quests and
communicate with other students and classrooms all over the country and world to
help solve real world problems. The uses of technology for constructivist learning
are endless. With the right training, tools, and feasible implementation plan, this
vision can begin to become reality. In the coming months, I hope to have

VISION PAPER 7410

communication set up from school to home to the community through interactive


websites and blogs. Its important that all of the stakeholders are aware of the
changes along the way. Technology parent information meetings will be held for
parents and community members to ask questions about the technologies being
used in the classroom and to also be introduced to different technology tools and
resources.

School

technology

leaders

will

be

required

to

work

with

and

communicate monthly with district technology coaches to insure the school


technology vision coincides with the district vision and ISTE standards. Teachers will
be required to take necessary training on different technology hardware, software,
and tools and they must also do observations of at least one teacher for each
technology. This will give them the opportunity to see the technology in practice
and allow them to conference with the teacher about their observations and ask
questions they may have. Teachers should reflect on the technology use in their
classrooms and how it is affecting student learning, engagement, and achievement
on a regular basis. These steps will hold the teachers accountable for effective
technology use. References: Creighton, T. (2003). The Principal as Technology
Leader. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin. International Society for Technology in
Education. (2008). Essential Conditions: Necessary Conditions to Effectively
Leverage

Technology

for

Learning.

Retrieved

from

http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students/nets-forstudentsessentialconditions.aspx. International Society for Technology in Education


http://www.iste.org Roblyer, M.D. & Doering, A. (2010). Integrating Technology into
Teaching, (Sixth Edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall Jones, B., Valdez, G.,
Nowakowski, J., & Rasmussen, C. (1994). Designing Learning and Technology for
Educational Reform. Oak Brook, IL: North Central Regional Educational Laboratory.

VISION PAPER 7410

Hirumi, A. (2002). Student-Centered, Technology-Rich Learning Environments


(SCenTRLE): Operationalizing Constructivist Approaches to Teaching and Learning.
Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 10(4), 497-537. Norfolk, VA: SITE.
Retrieved December 3, 2013 from http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Student-centered
%2c+technology-Douglas

rich+learning+environments+(SCenTRLE)%3a...-a096416239

County

School

District

Technology

http://www.douglas.k12.ga.us/Download.asp?L=2&LMID=&PN=Pages&Divisio
nID=1860&DepartmentID=1704&SubDepartmentID=&SubP=Level1Page&Act=
Download&T=3&I=9341

Plan

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