Teaching and Learning

“If you don’t use it, you lose it.” I don’t know who originated this now somewhat trite saying, but as it applies to technology use on my campus, it is TRUTH. Consistently, one of our school’s weakest areas in the Texas STaR Chart is the Teaching and Learning area. As described in the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology (LRPT), this area focuses on the use of technology
hardware and software by both teacher and learner.

All learners:
• have access to relevant technologies, tools, resources and services for individualized instruction 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
• use information and communication technologies to collaborate, construct knowledge and provide solutions to real-world problems and situations that are encountered.
• use research-based strategies in all subject areas to improve academic achievement.
• communicate effectively in a variety of formats for diverse audiences. (Long Range Plan for Technology 2006-2020)

The target is for “seamless” and proficient use of technology and facilitation in adapting to emerging technologies. Coop has made only small advances in this area over the past three years, while other campuses in the district are soaring ahead. Although there may be mitigating circumstances due to the recent move into a new building with technology tools novel to many of the teachers, this area needs to be addressed. Our campus is in a good position to take a leading role in developing curriculum integration of technology and online resources with growing and sustainable infrastructure, supportive administrator and on-campus Campus Curriculum Integration Technologist and Campus Network Specialist who support and aid teachers in this area.