Module 3

What role does the Indiana Government play in EdTe policy?

Indiana's K-12 plan for technology, from 1998, was supposed to be a foundation for leadership and direction. It is meant to support learning environments by working with teachers, agencies, parents, and other community members. By supporting those environments, they will be able to use technology more effectively. 

In order for kids to be heavily engaged, they would need access to technology, content standards, and teachers who are capable of using said technology. It's now 2013, 15 years later, and there are classrooms without "appropriate" technology and capable teachers. However, there are content standards for technology and that's the NETS standards. While there are some school that have become more advanced regarding technology, not every school has those resources. 

There were seven key strategies in this plan. One of the strategies is that all Indiana students will have "equitable access" to up to date software. I don't think that is very true. While schools may be handed the software, not every school has the equipment necessary to run it. There is also another strategy that talks about using different media. I also think that that hasn't happened yet because not every school has video cameras and iPads readily available for every student. 

I would like to know what has changed in regards to the technology plan for Indiana. It will be interesting to compare its goals to what is happening currently in schools.

Citation:

Reed, Suellen. Indiana's K-12 Technology Plan. Indiana Department of Education. December 1998. Web. Feb. 17. 2012.

Module 2

What role should the Fed Government play in the ed tech policy process?

I decided to find an article regarding the Fed Government and its impact on educational technology integration and use. I just used a basic Google search, and I clicked on one of the first few links.

It brought me to a textbook PDF about technology and No Child Left Behind which I found interesting since it was a main topic of discussion in last week’s class.

Here is the website link: http://www.learningpt.org/pdfs/qkey3.pdf

It is entitled “Understand the No Child Left Behind Act: Technology Integration.

It first talks about building a technology infrastructure. It means, basically, integrating technology into the classroom, library, media center, administrative offices, and the district offices. 

NCLB wants technology integration for all students, including those with disabilities, racial and ethnic minorities, low-income students, migrant populations, and English language learners.

I agree with this statement, and I think that, for the most part, this goal is accomplished. Students with disabilities are able to use technology thanks to all the new innovations, like alternative keyboards, talking calculators, audio books, Apps, graphic organizer software, and Braille printers and keyboards.

In regards to low-income students, most school have some sort of computer labs, although it might not be up to date. However, it’s quality time for them to use the Internet and technology if it is unavailable for them at home. 

Module 1

My name is Alexandra Benton. I am 21 years old, and I am a junior here at Ball State. I am an Elementary Education major with a concentration in technology. I applied to student teach in Spring of 2014, and I will be graduating the year of 2014.

I would absolutely love to teach in Illinois, in the surrounding suburbs of Chicago. I live in Northwest Indiana, so I am about a 30 minute train ride into the city. 

I think technology is important because it’s becoming such a well known and well used medium in classrooms. 

I am enrolled in this class because I need it for my concentration. I have always been interested in technology because of my dad. My dad has been working with computers and technology since I was little. I had a computer when I was six, and I have a cell phone when I was in 6th grade. If I ever had trouble with technology of any sort, ranging from a VCR to a laptop, he was always there for me to ask for help.

I would like to know more about the policies regarding technology, as well as the procedures. I would also like to learn about how to determine what is relevant concerning technology and integrating it into lesson plans.