In order to prepare our students for 21st Century careers, our schools need to provide a 21st Century infrastructure that offers high speed connectivity among schools, colleges, medical facilities, libraries, businesses, and homes. They must also be equipped with ample digital tools and resources to support all learners. Districts must have an infrastructure that is safe and secure, flexible, scalable, and reliable. Current connectivity must be sustained through regular maintenance, upgrades, and technical support. Districts must have individuals with the technical and networking skills to ensure that networks remain reliable, secure, flexible and available to meet the ever changing needs of the school. A 21st Century infrastructure is required to provide a quality education to all students.
Some of the goals of the infrastructure area include having a 1:1 ratio of computers to every student, teacher and administrator. 24/7 access for parents and community members would also increase all stakeholders involvement. Assessable and affordable internet access would support learning and involvement.
Texas schools have been fortunate to have the support of the Texas legislature and the federal government in building the technology infrastructure needed. Not all districts, campuses, and classrooms have the connectivity and tools that they need to integrate technology into the teaching and learning process. The loss of funding from the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund has had a significant impact on school infrastructure. Some districts are able to get funding through bonds while others struggle to maintain current connectivity and keep network equipment functioning.
In order to prepare our students with 21st century skills, our districts and sate must make funding for infrastructure a priority.
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ReplyDeleteYour blog is very well written. I could not agree more about how important it is for the investement in a "flexible" infrastructure. After all, what will be the use if we spend thousands for a technology foundation only to have it become obsolete in a few years.
ReplyDeleteI agree Valerie about the funding. The state has this goal, but the funding is not there. We must have the funds in order to accomplish this goal. I would love to see the one-to-one ratio of computers to students, but I think it is a long way from happening. I hope I am wrong in this aspect. I also have a hard time thinking that I am going to give an expensive machine to a student who cannot even keep up with his binder for 8 periods and then bring it back to class the next day. Thank you for letting me comment on your blog even though I am not in your group. Tak it easy!
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