STaR Light STaR Bright

Classroom Technology Integration ST a R Light ST a R at Dorie Miller Intermediate School Bright Illuminating

This presentation will:

Highlight the STaR Chart

Shed light on the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006–2020.

Discuss the 21st-century learner and illuminate the need for advanced classroom technology across Texas

Analysis of * Dorie Miller Intermediate School’s STaR Chart results 2006–2009

Miller Intermediate’s technology strengths and weaknesses

Where do we go from here?

* Ennis Sixth Grade Center was renamed Dorie Miller Intermediate School during the 2009–2010 academic year.

Also covered: What is this stuff ?

What is the ST a R Chart ?

It is an online survey developed by the Texas Education Agency.

It is used for planning and to gauge teacher readiness for technology integration.

All Texas teachers complete the survey once annually.

It is modeled after the four key areas of the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006–2020.

Texas schools are measured in four areas: Teaching & Learning ; Educator Preparation & Development ; Leadership, Administration, & Instructional Support ; and Infrastructure for Technology .

Texas schools are ranked in four categories: Early Tech; Developing Tech; Advanced Tech; and Target Tech.

Texas Long Range

It is a 42-page analysis of the state’s current and future education technology needs.

It is divided into four key areas:

Teaching & Learning

Educator Preparation & Certification

Leadership, Administration, & Instructional Support

Infrastructure for Technology

It is a vital tool used by school boards, businesses, and other education stakeholders for planning.

Plan for Technology ?

Modern students.

Nicknamed “Digital Natives.”

Tech savvy.

Feeling strongly about positive value of technology.

Reliant on technology in their lives.

Constant communicators (email, text, cell phones, and instant messaging).

Unaccustomed to a world without color TV, video games, cell phones, and the Internet.

Growing up in a multi-sensory, multimedia, computer-driven world.

Technical and traditional reading and writing skills.

Analytical skills for a digital age.

Problem-solving and reasoning skills for a digital age.

To learn using engaging methodologies and digital tools.

To be prepared for a future with technologies yet to be developed.

To be able to communicate, to connect with digital content, to collaborate with other learners, to gather real-time data, and to analyze data to fit their personal learning requirements.

Who is the 21st-century Learner ? They are: They need:

How does Miller Intermediate measure up ?

Miller Intermediate

Earned the Rank of:

Developing Tech in Teaching & Learning .

Developing Tech in Educator Preparation & Development .

Developing Tech in Leadership, Administration, & Instructional Support .

Advanced Tech in Infrastructure for Technology .

2006–2007 What did all that mean ?

Miller Intermediate

Earned the Rank of:

Developing Tech in Leadership, Administration, & Instructional Support .

Miller Intermediate

Earned the Rank of:

Advanced Tech in Leadership, Administration, & Instructional Support .

2007–2008 2008–2009

Miller Intermediate’s Strengths Texas STaR Chart data from 2006–2009 academic years suggest Dorie Miller Intermediate School, located in Ennis I.S.D. in Ennis, Texas, demonstrates strength in technology infrastructure. In summer 2009, Miller Intermediate installed interactive SMART Boards in each classroom. Miller has from three to five student computers with high-speed Internet access in each class. The school also has excellent print/file sharing capabilities and district-wide resources on the campus network. Ennis I.S.D. provides at least one technician per 351–500 computers.

Miller Intermediate Areas for Improvement at For the past three academic years, Texas STaR Chart data indicate Dorie Miller Intermediate School has remained at the Developing Tech level in Teaching & Learning and Educator Preparation & Development . Miller Intermediate achieved Advanced Tech status in Leadership, Administration, & Instructional Support during 2008–2009. Work remains in transitioning from teacher-centered learning environments to student-centered, technologically driven classrooms.

Where Do We Go from Here ? The Texas STaR Chart and the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006–2020 , are tools for planning, budgeting, and developing classrooms to benefit 21st-century learners. Teachers can no longer sit on the sidelines and ignore technology. NCLB standards require children to be technologically literate by the end of their eighth-grade year. The task before educators is daunting, but, then again, it always is. Though progress has been made at Dorie Miller Intermediate School, there is still much work to be done. Teachers must transition from using computers as a lecture aid to integrating computers in a learner-centered environment. Ennis teachers, administrators, school board members, and the local community must work together to improve technology integration in Ennis I.S.D.