Environmental Scan

 Environmental Scan

    In researching, it was learned that my district Laredo Independent School District (LISD) located in Laredo, TX serves an “average of 25,000 enrolled students and over 4,500 employees” (Laredo Independent School District, n.d.-c). Throughout the city, the climate is known to be semiarid with humid temperatures from time to time. Our district consist of 20 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 6 high schools, and 3 specialty schools. (Laredo Independent School District, n.d.-c) Within the district it is learned to have a majority population that is Hispanic. According to Data USA, it recorded 261K population in Laredo TX with “Office & Administrative Support Occupations, Sales & Related Occupations, and Management Occupations” are the most common workforce that are seen throughout the community. (2020)

                                                                           Photo 1                                                                          

                                     

Photo 1 Citation: Race and Ethnicity. (2020). Data USA. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/laredo-tx                                                                           

 

 Photo 2

                                               

Photo 2 Citation:  Occupations. (2020). Data USA. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/laredo-tx

In reflecting and observing district, it was understood that they have made a plan to keep students connected with technology devices. With all the students enrolled, LISD is “dedicated to ensuring ALL students have equal access to technology regardless of economic status” which entails a “1:1 students to computer ratio” (Laredo ISD Instructional Technology - 1:1 District-Issued Device Program, n.d.). In expanding this motion to schools of all ages throughout the district, it shows great initiative in striving to have academic success through technology. In addition to the students receiving a technology device, so do all educators, administrators, and staff members. These devices are allowed to be taken to and from school where students and staff members can use to complete daily activities.

            As for the broadband connections, all students who are enrolled and staff members employed have access to the internet to utilize on a daily basis. The broadband connection is spread throughout the schools where all can use it freely. All that is needed to access the connection is the credentials provided by the district. For the most part, the majority of students have access at home with their own connections and for those that do not most schools within the district help provide a broadband connection. This helps lead to the utilization of technology and internet connection to help strive for success in their academic journey.

            Throughout the district, technology is used on a daily basis for instructional purposes. The goal of the district is to move from a teacher centered classroom to a student centered where students are capable of a variety of learning modes. Based on the different learning modes, it  helps promote collaborative learning, blended learning, and hybrid learning classes. The use of the technology helps display instructional materials as well as tasks, projects, books, etc. In addition to the use of technology in the classroom, it is also used for communication purposes. The district and schools all have a Facebook and Twitter page which helps communicate different announcements to the community. Along with the social media pages, most schools in the district especially elementary utilizes the app of ClassDojo to help reach the community population of the school.

            In helping students, staff members, and parents to stay updated with the different technology updates and opportunities my district also provides a variety of professional developments. There are different learning hubs on the district site that are available to anyone to view and they are categorized based on the audience. In the hubs, there is one for educators, parents & students, digital learning resources, etc. (Laredo ISD Instructional Technology, n.d.) Keeping all staff members along with students and parents updated with the technology is a goal for the district in order to help meet all learners needs with the accurate information.

            Overall, I believe that the technology plan put into place throughout the district is developed fairly well. It provides all staff and students with equal opportunities in utilizing technology devices and the internet. If this is going throughout the years to come, I see the district meeting their goal of achieving success throughout the academic years of all students and staff members.

 

Resources

Laredo, TX | Data USA. (n.d.-b). Data USA. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/laredo-tx

Laredo Independent School District. (n.d.-c). https://www.laredoisd.org/page/about-lisd

Laredo ISD Instructional Technology. (n.d.). https://sites.google.com/laredoisd.org/lisdit/home

Laredo ISD Instructional Technology - 1:1 District-Issued Device Program. (n.d.). https://sites.google.com/laredoisd.org/lisdit/11-district-issued-device-program?authuser=0

Occupations. (2020). Data USA. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/laredo-tx

Race and Ethnicity. (2020). Data USA. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/laredo-tx

Pedagogy Before Technology

 

Pedagogy Before Technology

            As the world continues to evolve so does technology. Now a days, technology has improved so much from when we were younger compared to what students are using in the present. Before it was considered that the teachers were the experts in the classroom; however, with the integration of newer technology, the students are known as the experts. Therefore, it is crucial that teachers take the time to understand their students and the time to learn new applications that can be beneficial for everyone in the classroom.

            In looking at the technology through time, it is clear that most views have been the same when it comes to technology. Growing up, we had the simplest phones which were flip phones. These phones were used to make simple phones calls and take pictures if you were lucky to own one with a camera. Students nowadays do not know what a flip phone is. As the use of phones began to evolve, students began seeing that phones such as the Iphones could take pictures and move away from phone calls. In continuing to evolve with the times, I see myself moving more and more away from phones like the students. Instead of phones calls it has evolved to text messaging along with Skype, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, etc. Technology has changed including the different apps used to educate others while finding ways to communicate and connect with others. (Schrock, 2011)

            In the classroom, teaching students will not go back like the old days with physical books, paper, and pencil. Technology will always be a major role in helping students learn. If the technology was not used teachers would be struggling to help meet the needs of students. It is clear that technology helps reach learners in a different way which helps meet their individual needs. In viewing the different technologies, it is seen that it helps implement the different strategies for the different learning styles. It helps present content information in unique ways which allows learning to happen in multiple ways rather than just one concrete way. (Churches, 2008) Just like the collaboration between teachers and librarians, that is what technology does. It is a form of collaboration that teachers implement with the use of Bloom’s Taxonomy. Although collaboration is not a required part of teaching or ones learning, it is a beneficial skill to use to help enhance one’s learning. As read my Andrew Churches, “Collaboration is a 21^st Century skill of increasing importance and one that is used throughout the learning process.” (Churches, 2008, pg. 5) Integrating different skills along with technology is a strategy that students can relate to.

            Technology can be seen as both a tool for learning and the foundation to help build on students learning. In the world today, the students have not seen a world without technology which would be a shame not to use it. Integrating technology can encourage students to be the best learners they can as well as add room for improvement. With all the new technology there is, the students have the ability to portray their learning using the different tools. After all as teachers integrate Bloom’s Taxonomy and technology tools, they are helping students to strive towards higher order thinking skills. (Bloom’s digital taxonomy) It is best to use the tools students are comfortable with and build on it rather than limit their abilities.

            In today’s world, librarians roles have had a major shift compared to the old days. Before librarians were known to be helpful in finding books and that was about it. However, nowadays librarians are seen with a very different role which include finding books, collaborating with staff, and incorporating technology to name a few. Just the way teachers need to stay up to date with the constant changes in curriculum the librarians must stay current with the updates on books, curriculum, and technology. As they stay current with these changes, it helps provide the best instruction and support one can provide. After all, “the continuous shift in knowledge creates an opportunity for librarians to be digital age mentors, cultivating digital skills, online learning, and understanding of the information age.” (Miller & Bass, 2019, pg. 15) The librarian is able to help students in learning the different aspects of technology that can help guide them to becoming independent learners. In continuing to learn the impact of technology with curriculum it can help teachers transition to upcoming librarians with proper usage of modern resources. The world of education and technology will continue to evolve so the more knowledgeable a teacher and librarian are with everything it can benefit everyone. As learned, the revised Bloom’s Taxonomy helps show the integration of technology and how it plays a vital role in one’s learning. (Bloom’s digital taxonomy) Librarians help provide the extra support for learning which can be met with engaging activities which include STEM activities that lead to personalized learning along with the transformation of technology. (Clarity Innovations)

            The incorporation of technology in the classroom can create a major impact on instruction. Technology is an integral part nowadays which can help reach students in ways that sometimes teachers or librarians cannot. By incorporating what we know and the use of technology, we can help learners retain content as well as allow them to make connections with what is being taught in creative ways. Rich learning experiences can be created with technology which can help teachers, librarians, and students reach success. So, why try to fight the use of technology if it is learned to enhance learning.

            Overall, librarians are an additional learning support system for students as well as teachers and staff. In order to provide the best support, librarians should also stay current with the changes to share information that is accurate with curriculum and technology. After all, “everyday there are new tools, websites, and services jockeying for our attention, offering fantastic new ways to accomplish tasks, learn content, or simply be entertained.” (Miller & Bass, 2019, pg. 15) Therefore, it is crucial to provide professional developments for librarians that can help them learn about the new changes with technology that can then be turned around for teachers and staff. After all the best way to reach success is to stay current with all the updates made to curriculum and technology while making efforts for collaboration which can help learners reach their learning potential.

 

 

References

Bloom’s digital taxonomy. Common Sense Education. (n.d.). https://www.commonsense.org/education/videos/blooms-digital-taxonomy 

Churches, A. (2008, May 26). Bloom’s digital taxonomy. CCCOnline. http://www.ccconline.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Churches_2008_DigitalBloomsTaxonomyGuide.pdf 

Clarity Innovations. (n.d.). Tools and resources to drive your technology initiatives. K-12 Blueprint. https://www.k12blueprint.com/toolkits 

Marist News: The First Marist Mindset List is released. Marist College. (2019, August 21). https://www.marist.edu/w/marist-news-the-first-marist-mindset-list-is-released 

Miller, S., & Bass, W. (2019) Leading from the library: Help your school community thrive in the digital age. International Society for Technology in Education.

Schrock, K. (2011). Bloomin’ Apps. Kathy Schrock’s Guide to Everything. https://www.schrockguide.net/bloomin-apps.html