Texas has implemented a long range plan for technology. They have a vision of preparing students for the future and that future is one full of technology. Teachers need to stay up to date with technology and continue to implement it into lessons across the curriculum. SBEC Technology Standard were created to ensure this.
SBEC feels all educators should enter the field current in technology standards. They should be able to utilize technology in the classroom and integrate it across the curriculum. Learning needs to continue for educators through professional development. Texas has recomended that SBEC, TEA and the regional education service centers continue to help aid educator in doing this through providing support, staff development and continuing to stay current on technology trends.
Local education agencies are being asked to provide professional development, training and strategies for using technology in the classroom. They also are continueing to monitor technology implementation and use through the STAR chart.
The Texas long range plan is even reaching out to higher education, parents, communites and privat business to lend a hand in keeping our schools updated with the current technology trends.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Educational Games
I am a huge supporter of educational gaming in schools. I believe we are in a time an place where we need to relate to our students to help them learn. The technology gap between teachers and students is wide and there is even a wider gap between what students enjoy doing and what our school districts will let us use in the classroom. We need to relate to our students. Educational gaming is a big way to do that.
In my district I have ran into all the excuses. Our big rule is NO GAMES! It use to be a streaming issue. That has since been fixed with fiber optics and new switches. We are now setup to stream video on every students computer but we still can't play educational games.
I do agree that not every game has a place in education, but a lot of games do. Games can help make learning fun. They help with simulation, discovery and memorization. They can allow students to make educated decisions that they would otherwise not have the opportunity to make. Basically they can bring in elements to the class room that are student lead and that the students enjoy doing.
Oregan Trail is one of the oldest examples of this. It brings simulation into children of younger ages that will never have to make some of those decisions. They will only brease by it in a text book. Oregan Trail makes them analyze the situation, realize the dangers, experience the trip taken and adds a dimension of problem solving. Did I mention they are also having FUN!
I do sneek one small game into my lessons. It is a problem solving game that lets students discover top, front and right side views of an object. The students see a puzzle. I see the application that they are about to learn. They love the lesson.
All this only reiterates that when games are chosen correctly and used in proper manner that they are an invaluable resource in the classroom.
In my district I have ran into all the excuses. Our big rule is NO GAMES! It use to be a streaming issue. That has since been fixed with fiber optics and new switches. We are now setup to stream video on every students computer but we still can't play educational games.
I do agree that not every game has a place in education, but a lot of games do. Games can help make learning fun. They help with simulation, discovery and memorization. They can allow students to make educated decisions that they would otherwise not have the opportunity to make. Basically they can bring in elements to the class room that are student lead and that the students enjoy doing.
Oregan Trail is one of the oldest examples of this. It brings simulation into children of younger ages that will never have to make some of those decisions. They will only brease by it in a text book. Oregan Trail makes them analyze the situation, realize the dangers, experience the trip taken and adds a dimension of problem solving. Did I mention they are also having FUN!
I do sneek one small game into my lessons. It is a problem solving game that lets students discover top, front and right side views of an object. The students see a puzzle. I see the application that they are about to learn. They love the lesson.
All this only reiterates that when games are chosen correctly and used in proper manner that they are an invaluable resource in the classroom.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Illistration Software
I am in the unique situation in a Career and Technology field where I teach an Academic Software. I teach courses that lead in two seperate directions, engineering and architecture. I am going to focus on engineering at this point.
CAD has redifined the term Illistration software in the engineering field over the past few years. We started AutoCAD, a two dimensional drawing software with some 3D capabilites. We have evolved to a program Called Autodesk Inventor, a 3D modeling software that allows Renderings, animations and digital prototyping.
My engineering courses spend a semester in each program. AutoCAD teaches the 2D skills still needed to be a successful engineer. We then spend the whole second semester in Autodesk Inventor. This is my biggest draw in my program. Students are visual. The love working in 3D and with rendering and animations. In a high school program like mine the software not only needs to teach the students but the students also need to enjoy what they are doing. That is what gets them interested and that is what gets them back.
Just a final thought on academic software in education. I believe education needs to follow industry with its software and schools who can stay ahead of the industry curve have more marketable students.
Here is an example of what students can do with Autodesk Inventer. This was the winner of last years Autodesk Design Contest.
CAD has redifined the term Illistration software in the engineering field over the past few years. We started AutoCAD, a two dimensional drawing software with some 3D capabilites. We have evolved to a program Called Autodesk Inventor, a 3D modeling software that allows Renderings, animations and digital prototyping.
My engineering courses spend a semester in each program. AutoCAD teaches the 2D skills still needed to be a successful engineer. We then spend the whole second semester in Autodesk Inventor. This is my biggest draw in my program. Students are visual. The love working in 3D and with rendering and animations. In a high school program like mine the software not only needs to teach the students but the students also need to enjoy what they are doing. That is what gets them interested and that is what gets them back.
Just a final thought on academic software in education. I believe education needs to follow industry with its software and schools who can stay ahead of the industry curve have more marketable students.
Here is an example of what students can do with Autodesk Inventer. This was the winner of last years Autodesk Design Contest.
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