Opening Session: TEA Technology Update from Anita Givens, Texas Education Agency:
Electronic Textbooks:
Future of textbooks: Definition of textbooks in Texas includes "electronic textbooks" - anything that contributes to the learning process in an electronic format. This includes "open source textbook." The state must have ownership of the Open Source content, then it shall be licensed to all public schools. If a school district adopts the Open Source they will get a credit for the money they save from choosing other Board adopted books. This means that students can download it from the Internet for free.
The state textbook fund may be used to purchase technological equipment to support the use of electronic textbooks.
HB 4292: The commissioner will adopt a list of electronic textbooks. If a school chooses one of these, the state will pay the district the amount equal to the cost of the ET, plus credit up to 50% of difference in savings from choosing a ET from the Commissioners list, and then money to buy more OT or technology equipment.
This Spring, we will be getting information on our options for selecting textbooks. Before we make a decision about instructional materials, we must include these key individuals: IT, C&I, Business Office, Teachers
We will all have a lot of options.
For the Future Proclamation 2011:
Publishers will have to bid digital and paper formats separately, all teacher and ancillary materials digitally.
New Online State Professional Learning:
Future of Professional Development: The State received a directive for online PL. This summer every teacher has the opportunity to take an online class from TEA. Literacy, New TEKS, End of Course Content/Instructional Strategies Academies PL will be created as online modules/professional learning communities.
There will be Content Academies for teachers in Math, Science, ELA, new CTE courses, Fine Arts training for Math and Science...
Because all
When the SS TEKS are adopted, the Content Academies for this courses will be created and offered.
Targeted assistance and training for schools in need. School Leadership Academies
All of this Professional Learning offered by TEA will be evaluated.
Technology Pilots:
Computer Lending Program (more info coming out in the Spring)
TEA Technology Demonstration Sites - schools doing cutting edge things will be able to apply for this
Project Share: New State Digital Learning Platform
Project Share - online digital platform to provide online textbooks, online professional learning. This is a state-wide district portal that all Texas schools can use student and teacher collaboration, access to online resources, content. This will be rolled out this Spring and Summer. Phase One: using it with teachers in the Academies for PLCs. The PL that the state is building is being done in the Project Share platform.
We will get an invitation to the platform and then we can all build e-portfolios.
The Platform will be EPSILEN. The State is paying the cost for this for all districts.
All NY Times content from 1851 to the present will be available to teachers on this platform.
We need to watch for information/email March, April, May to join the platform. Teachers will receive invitations this Spring. Teachers will be able to log in before they leave school in May so that they can join professional learning communities and have access to the Content Academies Professional learning and resources that will become available this summer. Letters have been emailed to District Leader contacts about this project.
Questions or comments can be emailed to:
Projectshare@tea.state.ts.us
Are we ready for all of these 21st Century changes?
I saw something about Project Share last week, but I did not realize the scope of it. I'm thinking this needs to be an ILT topic soon so that campus leaders will be prepared.
ReplyDeleteThe textbook info is helpful, too. Once the Board approves our choices, I will want to work with your team as we work through the selection of ancillary materials.