Texas STaR chart for Lee Middle School

STaR Chart Presentation For LEE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Texas STaR chart for Lee Middle School

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National Educational Technology Plan Summary

Executive Summary of National Educational Technology Plan

Ricky B. Eades

Lamar University

President Obama has made clear two definite goals.  First, we will increase the college graduation rate from 41% to 60% and second, that all students will graduate from high school.  The NETP contains goals and recommendations in five essential areas: learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure, and productivity.  The goals for each are very desired, yet dreamy in my opinion.  For example, the goal for learning expects for each student to have enriched learning experiences both in and out of school.  Learning experiences must be available anytime and anywhere.  The expectation for assessment is more realistic as we must learn to measure what matters and then use this data for improvement. Most, if not all, teachers would whole heartily agree with the goal for teaching.  It is centered on support!  The teacher is supported by technology that allows them to inspire even the most unmotivated of student.  The infrastructure will demand a system of complete connectivity in which access is available for everyone.  The new goal for productivity will demand better use of time, resources, and money.  The NETP calls for “revolutionary transformation rather than evolutionary tinkering”. (U.S. Department of Education, 2009)  The new plan asks for us to be clear on our outcomes and actively monitor our progress. The learning experiences for students must be powerful and engaging while technology is at the core of every aspect of our lives. According to the plan, students will become critical components of a system in which we create.

References: U.S. Department of Education, (2009). http://www.ed.gov/technology/netp-2010/executive-summary

Progress Report on Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020

Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020

Ricky B. Eades

Lamar University

The progress report for the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 was created in December of 2008.  The data from the submitted STaR charts was used to create the reports.  I was particularly impressed with a few areas of the progress report.  In the report, a question was posed to 6^th-8^th graders of, “Besides not having enough time in your school day to use technology, what are the other major obstacles you face using technology at your school”? (TEA, 2008, p.6) The most prevalent answer was that filters and firewalls blocked web sites needed by students to answer their inquiries.  Other concerns were the restrictions placed by teachers, the inability to access personal emails, and slow internet connections. I must agree that the students do have a point in their complaints.  I have often had problems of my own trying to access legitimate web sites due to filtering restrictions.  Another area that awakened my attention was that of Technology Immersion and the schools involved.  This plan benefitted students as it supplied individual laptops to each and every student.  The data from the project shows positive benefits; however, as the grants run out in 2011, the school districts involved will have to make important financial decisions.  Another aspect of the report shows that distance learning has gained some ground over the past four years. The concept is starting to appear quiet frequently in many Texas secondary schools.

References: Texas Education Agency, (TEA), (2008), Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020, p. 1-180

Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020

Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020: Teaching and Learning

Ricky B. Eades

Lamar University

The area of Teaching and Learning as outlined in the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 is one that continues to place the majority of Texas schools in the Developing Tech category.  Out of 8087 schools surveyed in 2010, over 50% (59.3%) continue to be labeled as developing.  However, there are 3054 schools or 37.8% that are considered advanced and a mere 73 schools in the state of Texas that has achieved the Target level. The stated data is created with the completion of the STaR chart by Texas teachers.  Each teacher and administrator fills out an evaluation of their current campus once per school year.   The state plan for improvement was created in 2006 and has reached its 5^th birthday.  It is disappointing that we do not have more Texas schools at a minimum meeting the advanced stages of development.  It appears that the majority of Texas schools are still following the trend of teacher directed technology as opposed to teacher-facilitated and student directed.  The “one size fits all” approach no longer meets the demands of our Texas students according to the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020. Students must be communicating with their peers, as well as, experts to try and solve worldwide problems.  My local area is for the majority in the advanced range with 14 of 20 schools being evaluated as Advanced, four as Developing, and two as Early Developing. The schools across Texas are making progress and we continue to strive for excellence.

The Concerns of Educational Blogs

The Concerns of Educational Blogs

Ricky B. Eades

Lamar University

EDLD 5352 Instructional Leadership – SP2 11-EA1251

Educational blogs also have some hidden pitfalls that one must be careful to avoid.  First, a person must be aware of their audience and understand that the writings are available to the virtual world and that includes your immediate community.  It has been my experience to be extremely careful when stating information, opinions, or data concerning your own school or district.  The thoughts that you deliver could possibly become ones of controversy and misunderstanding if not delivered correctly.  My uses of blogs are ones for informational purposes and not any type of slanderous or resentful vendetta.  A good rule of thumb is to keep your writing research based and verifiable. The opinionated approach can leave a lot of room for innuendo and skeptic inferences.  One must also remember that blogs are written words which don’t contain the elements of emotion. Thus, the feelings of the writer and those of the reader are not always identical. With all this said the advantages of educational blogging still outweigh the perils and have a tremendous potential for educational reform.

Web Conference 2-27-11

Greetings,

I attended the web conference hosted by Dr. Abernathy and Ms. Cummings from Lamar University on Sunday, February 27 at 5 P.M. The course is EDLD 5352 and section EA 1251

    My first impression was Wow!  There were nearly 100 people in attendance and the chat was scrolling faster than the human eye could focus.  Then we get to the fun part of adding video and audio from the attendees.  To my recollection, we successfully were able to display four video images across the screen and I lost audio several times with the exception of Dr. Abernathy which came in loud and clear.  Our question and answer session started promptly a short bit after 5.  The questions flew in rapidly by the students.  Dr. Abernathy answered in a due process the best possible.  The questions focused primarily on required textbooks, instructions, assessments, and blog spots.  There were a few out of bounds comments made in the process but for the most part they went unnoticed in the confusion. Things settled down to an extent about 30 minutes into the conference and most students received answers to their questions.  At least, I did.  The professors were more than helpful as they juggled email addresses and vast amounts of information. I was happy with the outcome of the conference.

    In my opinion, there are a few things that could make the conferences run smoother.  First, the conferences could be scheduled by sections and eliminate the 100 peep gathering.  Second, the only video and audio transmitted come from the professors and thus opens up neccessary bandwidth. Third, the "Raise Hand" option is utilized throughout the conference assuring each student that they have the stage. With this said, I would like to elaborate on the video and audio portion of my comments.  I think that this type of technology is super cool, however, I have ample experience in dealing with it to know that is there seldom enough bandwidth to run it successfully.  It usually creates more havoc than smooth sailing and especially with a large group of people such as 100.  Please do not misunderstand, I think that this type of media is fantastic given the correct circumstances and equipment.

Overall, I gained knowledge from the conference.  I have a good idea now of what my leaders expect and their philosophies.  The course will be fast paced and definately worth the effort.

Ricky B. Eades

A Minister Of Education

    My  choice of reading for this week is the article Where’s the Ministry In Administration? Attending to the Souls of Our Schools by Paul Graseck.  Graseck writes, “a wise school administrator discovers that those who say education has nothing to do with religion do not know what education means”. (Graseck, 2005, p.378) To listen, comfort, support, and inspire are critical elements of an administrator’s career, that is if they wish to be successful.  A very miserable message or inference that can be given to a learning community from an administrator is “my job is more important than yours”. (Graseck, 2005, p.374) Once the proverbial wall has been erected the administrator loses all connection and ministerial obligations and their fate is directed towards lone survival.

    A much more preferred choice is for the administrator to become the pastor of the school.  One that does comfort and nurtures good feelings to the school congregation.  The writing is not advocating that biblical or religious teachings become curriculum standards, but instead suggesting that “people are spiritual beings, seekers reaching beyond themselves”. (Graseck, 2005, p.374) The fact of the matter is that we are all very curious and inquisitive about our world and ourselves and rejoice in this spiritual uplifting. It is crucially important that administrators not divorce the classroom entirely.  After all, they are still teachers by example and should remain so throughout their career. “Ideally, administrators will not abandon classroom teaching.  Instead, they will, whenever possible, teach a class”. (Graseck, 2005, p.376) 

    The word administrator in its meaning is not defined as “Boss”.  It is actually derived from the Latin administrare meaning to help or assist or in our context “to minister to”. “Imagine if school administrators saw themselves as ministering to teachers, if they saw their jobs as genuine caring for the teachers they supervise”. (Graseck, 2005, p.376)  The administrator often offers a shoulder to cry on, a confident, softy spoken words, and friendship.

    So exactly how do administrators become bosses rather than ministers?  How is it that they are on occasion viewed as teacher enemy number one?  The evidence is overwhelming in reference to the above statements.  Just walk into the teachers’ lounge inside a school where the principal is considered “on the other side”. And, the comments you will hear are not without merit.  Graseck tackles this phenomenon with three observations leading to the development of an ineffective leader. First, “Administrators sometimes become administrators to escape teaching”. Second, “Teachers who enter administration quickly forget the hardships of the teaching life”, and third, “Many teachers become administrators too early in their career”. (Graseck, 2005, p. 376) So in summary, good administrators should never forget the stresses inside the classroom and the many faces the classroom teacher must portray throughout the school day, and, all without a secretary!

    “School administrators who exhibit pastoral strengths with usually emerge from among

seasoned, successful teachers”. (Graseck, 2005, p. 377)  The viewing of administrators as ministers is not one of high popularity nor is it the status quo.  We are all convinced somewhat that our monies are best spent on buildings, technology, and peripherals.  The human factor that builds great communities has become a low prioritized necessity.  If we cannot at least dream of doing things differently someday then we probably will not make change or do anything different whatsoever.

References:

Graseck, P. (2005). Where’s the ministry in administration? Attending to the souls of our schools. Phi Delta Kappan, 86(5), 373-378.