Every year I am amazed at how the technologies physically change in our world. Sometimes it seems a bit overwhelming with the enormous amount of choices we have for Internet capabilities such as cell phones, laptops, ipods, now and the latest ipads. People are instantly connected within minutes with these devices as well as all the Web 2.0 authoring tools and the social networking environments of MySpace, Twitter, and Facebook. These tools provide users with the powerful capabilities of generating and sharing online content, creating on-line portfolios, and tagging photos.
The purpose of educational technology is to establish information literacy among administration, teachers, staff, and students that is the foundation of building life long learners. It is imperative that the technology available to the administration, teachers, staff and students will be the latest innovative technologies available, as well as, increasing their technology competency to meet the needs of the ever changing technical world.
The educational technology learning process will prepare students to function adequately in a technology-centered world where technology is seamlessly integrated to solve real world problems. Student use of innovative technologies enhances the instructional methods that develop higher-level thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. Technology assists students in becoming independent, active and creative locators, evaluators, and users of information to solve problems in society.
Teachers must participate in a multitude of professional development opportunities that support the integration of web-based lessons, research strategies and database use for students; most importantly the integration of a technology-centered curriculum. Teachers must embrace the vision for the future of education through technology and be enlighten leaders of our future. Campus leadership and vision facilitates the planning, instructional support, communication, and collaboration to support online learning to increase student achievement and the technology literacy of staff.
I am currently working on building our school media centers with the latest technology, software, and online database resources for student and teacher research and curriculum integration. The National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers and Students and the School Libraries Standards and Guidelines for Texas will be a few resources used to understand and reflect on the important role that technology plays and the influence that it has on every school throughout the world, these standards reflect what is happening now and what will be happening in the future. Electronic learning resources including video conferencing, distance learning for dual credit college classes, streaming video, and pod casting are a few of many innovative technologies available to students for their educational needs.
Collaboration, organization, acquisition, managing, maintaining, and flexibility are just a few of the skills I work on continually in order to run successful media centers. It has taken two difficult years, but finally, I have an attractive, welcoming, physical environment in both media centers; as well as, well-equipped facilities with the most advanced resources and technological equipment. Our staff is knowledgeable, energetic and enthusiastic in trying to be of assistance to all students and staff.
So, as a media manager, it is imperative to attempt to develop plans for the future. Through reading, research, and predictions, it is essential that we look to others for examples of the latest cutting-edge use of innovative technologies and new strategies to develop plans for the media centers to improve services to our patrons.
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