Texas Pre-Kindergarten Guidelines

In Texas we have five domains outlined in the 2008 Texas Pre-Kindergarten Guidelines: Social and emotional development, language and communication, reading, writing, and mathematics. Each domain includes video examples of the specific outcomes filmed in Texas Pre-Kindergarten classrooms. Attending Pre-K is very important for students because it provides a foundation that guide children academically, socially, and emotionally. All of the experiences acquired by the student will influence the rest of the child’s life. Furthermore, in Texas we have a spiraling curriculum in which there is a series of TEKS where students have multiple opportunities to master a certain skill. For example, in k-2 and later in grades 3-6 students are to demonstrate knowledge and appropriate use of hardware components, software programs, and their connections. As one can see, the use of technology terminology and learning how to save and delete files will be seen in several grades.

Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology

I have learned that implementing technology in the classroom is essential in order to have well prepared students that will compete for jobs in a global market. Teachers need to implement as much technology as possible in order for our students to succeed in today’s changing environment. The primary impact of technology is on student engagement and student achievement. Technology brings the world to the classroom by allowing students to interact and communicate with other students from across the globe. Administrators are to model and use technology as an integral part of their professional activities in order to positively influence the use of technology.

A good technology assessment: Technology Applications Inventory vs SETDA teacher survey

When I took the Technology Applications Inventory I realized right away that my foundation was extremely different than the other three parts of the survey. Somehow I scored very high on my foundation due to the fact that I have a very good knowledge about computers. However, the other three part of the survey I answered with a yes to only three fourths of the questions which means that a still need more professional development on technology. I strongly feel that this assessment was very accurate and at the same time this assessment has four domains with questions that I feel really target the technological knowledge of the individual taking the test.

Furthermore, the SETDA teacher survey has far more questions but is not as well designed as the Technology Applications Inventory assessment. In fact, the SETDA teacher survey has many questions that are very similar to each other which in a way it doesn´t make a lot of sense why they would ask questions with such similarities like questions T13 and T14. Also, some of the questions on this test pertain to students and by doing that they are not focusing entirely on the teacher. Therefore, I do not agree with this test at all because it seems to be sort of confusing how they ask some questions.