Dreaming Big at Buffalo Elementary

In order to move forward into 21^st Century learning with the teachers and students of Buffalo Elementary, we must have a vision of where we want to be and a plan on how we are going to get there.  Of course, “there” is a never-ending goal.  As we continue to grow and change, technology and education are being revamped continuously.  In order to prepare our students for this changing world, the leaders of Buffalo Elementary need to pro-actively seek out disruptive innovation opportunities. 

Buffalo ISD leaders need to make a commitment to the 21^st Century skills that students will need to compete and succeed in our changing world.  To launch that commitment, they need to hire a district-level technology director.  This person can be devoted to pro-actively searching out grants and other financial opportunities, providing ongoing professional development to the professionals, and staying abreast of technological trends in education.  I hope to be that person for BISD, but I will continue to work on those same tasks within my duties as Reading and Math Campus Coach until that opportunity becomes available for me.

            In order to best help my organization, I will take advantage of some of the many Web 2.0 tools.  I am a member of the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA), so I receive the latest research and articles from them monthly.  I also follow several Twitter accounts that regularly tweet about the latest trends and interesting articles.  The Horizon report will be one of the many resources that I follow, and I plan to continue with my blog and my plans for the Dream Big group of educators at my school.

            Along with the Dream Big group, I hope to teach other teachers to use the many resources we have available to us now.  Our campus will best be served by the many tools available for free learning tools on the web.  We have a reliable network, at least two student computers in every classroom, and SMART boards with document cameras in every classroom, too.  We have to break down the barrier that teachers think is holding our school and students back.  Technology isn’t just for the big-city kids.  It is available and accessible for each and every student in our school.  Our disruptive innovation is breaking down that barrier and realizing that we can use these tools, too.

Resources:

21^st Century Fluency Project.  2010.  Infosavvy group.  www.committedsardine.com