Texas Long Range Plan and Teaching and Learning

The Texas Long Range Plan for technology is a plan developed by the state of Texas that discusses the importance of having technology at schools and what can be done to help the students at Texas' schools become more technologically proficient. "The key to success for all students is the assurance that they are all fully engaged in their learning processes and that there are opportunities in their schools, libraries, homes, and communities that stimulate and initiate this engagement." (p. 17)
The area of the long range plan that I would like to focus on is the section dealing with Teaching and Learning. This section discussed the fact that Texas is becoming more and more diverse. Since this is happening, Texas teachers need to try and meet the needs of all students regardless of where they live, who they are, or what experiences they have had in their lives. The teaching and learning portion of the long range plan expressed the need for all students from all over Texas to be able to have the same experiences and/or knowledge regardless of where they live. This section speaks to equality of education through the use of technology instead of having students that lose out because they are not in a large town with museums or near a zoo.
There has been a great deal of progress in teaching and learning since the long-range plan was created. On the national scene there has been progress towards this goal. We have websites and databases that give students access to information from around the country and around the world. A student in Texas can learn about the Iditarod race on a computer and participate in many activities that make them get a feel for what the race is like and truly understand many of the nuances of the race that cannot be picked up through reading a book on the subject. The state has also come a long way in trying to improve teaching and learning. There are many projects that have been created to attempt to aid school districts in getting technology resources out to all schools. One such example is the R-Tech, the rural technology pilot program.This program is meant to bring funds for technology to rural school districts that might not otherwise be able to afford as much technology. Locally we have just installed a T-3 line in our school district. This T-3 line will help our school district to have more classrooms using technology at once than was previously possible.
As far as recommendations, nationally, I think it would be a good idea for there to be a way for there to be a program that helps with getting all of the instructional sites available on a database that is updated regularly. This would be a place where teachers could find information to help the students experience the world without the expense of travel. As far as the state, I think it would be a good idea to find a way to help fund a program to get computers and technology into every home so that students could use technology at home as practice for what they learn at school or as a resource for learning and experiencing the world. As far as a district solution, I think it would be helpful to get more access to distance learning and better connections to distance learning. This is especially true as students get older. These students that live in small towns can gain admission to a school that is far away and can listen to experts on several topics speak without traveling far away to hear a lecture.

Texas. State Board of Education. Long range technology plan 2006-2010. Texas Education Agency. http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=5082&menu_id=2147483665. accessed March 5,2011.