Educator Development and Texas STaR Chart

The Educator Preparation and Development section of the Texas STaR Chart warrants a closer look, since the success of the plan depends on the effective transfer of adequate technological knowledge and skills from educators to students.
Surveys and polls, nation-wide, show that a large majority of educators consider themselves either novices or developing in acquiring the skills required to teach the Technology Application TEKS. Many are not even proficient in the technology applications domains of ‘foundations’, ‘information acquisition’, ‘solving problems with technology tools’, and ‘communication’- a clear sign that more needs to done to help educators meet the standards of the Texas Long Range plan.
No amount of lofty purpose, well-laid plans, state-of-the-art technology equipment, and availability of resources can replace properly trained teachers. They must be able to model technology use in ways that not only teaches the content, but done in such a manner that the learning styles of the diverse students in the classroom is taken into account; as well as making it relevant to their unique, individual needs. This is no small task, especially when the diversity of the staff body is taken into account; from veteran teachers, who shun most innovations like technology use, to newly-hired inexperienced teachers who may have a fear of technology use.
It is therefore very important that enough time, money, resources, and adequate hands-on technology training is provided on an on-going basis, to promote and produce truly skilled and technologically-savvy teachers, who are then well-prepared to pass their models to the students.