Vision
Today, technology is an integral part of our daily lives. In Marietta City schools we are tasked with the mission to prepare each of our students through academic achievement, for college, career and life success (Marietta City Schools 2013-2016, 2012, p.3). As educators to meet this mission, it is our responsibility to prepare our students for their future and their future absolutely will include technology. In order to accomplish this we must not only model effective use of technology for learning but we must provide our students with classrooms that allow them to be active seekers and constructors of knowledge with their own goals and curiosities (Creighton, 2003, p.45). The use of technology needs to become common and natural. Technology will become a ubiquitous part of education. It will become as common place as chalkboards, textbooks, and pencils. Technology is a tool to be used for learning, but it is not an end in and of itself. There must be a seamless presence of technology in our schools that strengthens existing curricula and supports communication, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. We will produce students that have effectively learned to use technology as a tool to construct learning, while in our schools under our facilitation; but they will have also developed skills to continue this journey for life success.
Walking into school that is actively implementing this technology vision, you will observe:
STUDENTS will be in classrooms with access to strong wireless networks and either school provided technology or their personal technology. They can, at any given time be seen using technology to explore and supplement the authentic curriculum driven lesson the class is currently completing. Some students may be working independently, while others may be working in small groups, and still others working online with others globally. There will be a low buzz among the students respectively and socially interacting with one another. The students will be actively involved in their own process of learning. It will be student driven with best practices, higher order thinking skills, and differentiation at the center of all instruction.
Students will be blogging, collaborating with peers, creating new learning on WebQuests or sites like Khan Academy, creating presentations, emailing experts in the fields they are studying, and communicating with their instructors online.
TEACHERS will also have access to necessary and current technology, such as laptops, SmartBoards, iPads, etc. and a strong wireless network. The mission and vision of the school, to prepare each of our students through academic achievement, for college, career and life success; will be at the forefront of the learning the teachers facilitate. They will be co-learners with their students, who help students construct their own learning by providing authentic instructionally designed lessons and projects. Teachers will be skilled in the appropriate use of technology and digital learning resources. On any given day, a teacher can be circulating around a room of grouped students using technology, answering questions or asking questions. Teachers will use different online platforms such as Weebly, Wix, Edmodo,or Aspen to create learning challenges for students. They will be seen modeling at the front of the classroom on their SmartBoards how to access a website and use it correctly. Or they will at the back of the room with the wirelessly tethered iPad doing math equations as directed by the student groups. They will be trained in the use of communication tools, in the school information system, and will be well versed in the use of technology to supplement learning. Ongoing professional learning and peer support from coaches in data, content and technology will provided when needed and requested. Teachers will also continue their professional development on line with their PLN’s on Edmodo, Twitter, or the various blogs they subscribe to.
PRINCIPALS will also be strong users of technology for learning and to support learning. They will take on the active role of head technology leader in their school. Their leadership will help guide the technology strategic plan. The plan will include effective uses of technology in the classroom, strong evaluations of teachers’ use of technology with their students, appropriate staff development programs that are aligned with school mission and goals, providing time and support staff for sustained technology use in classroom, and securing funding for technology needs in the school. “Successful principals will be those who decide to focus and concentrate on how best to intersect technology with teaching and learning.” (Creighton, 93). Administrators will model use of technology for authentic learning and for communication and collaboration by utilizing such sites as Edmodo, Aspen, Twitter, Skyp, and the school website.
PARENTS with technology now have the opportunity to move from their role as parent as a supporter to parent as a participant (Saxena, 2014). Parents can utilize online resources such as Aspen and Edmodo, to monitor their students’ grades, to view their teachers’ webpages and current assignments, and to email conference with teachers when needed. Parents now have the opportunity to learn more quickly and more intimately what their students are working on at school and can become active supporters of their learning.
References
Creighton, T. B. (2003). The principal as technology leader. Thousand Oaks,
Calif.: Corwin Press.
Marietta City Schools 2013-2016 Strategic plan (Matthews Consulting Group,
Comp.). (2012, November).
Saxena, S. (2014, February 21). What New Role Does 21st Century Learning Create
For Parents?. Retrieved June 25, 2014, from EdTechReview website:
http://edtechreview.in/trends-insights/insights/ 992-what-new-role-does-21st-century-learning-create-for-parents-part-1