Over the last few years, I have been required to complete the STaR chart on an annual basis. Like other teachers in my building, I completed it as best I could but with no real knowledge of its outcome. As I move into this new frontier (for me) of online education, the importance of the STaR chart comes into focus. The state has required this information to force school districts to look at and evaluate, budget and reform so that the 21st century students might have access to cutting edge technology. Not only will the students have the technology to play with, but they will also have it to learn with. “Resisting today's digital technology will be truly lethal to our children's education” (Prensky, 2008). Technology assessment is a necessary, ongoing process. Our technology is moving ahead at whirlwind speed and we must keep up with it. It gives needed information for district administrators to process as they budget and review their technology needs.
The problem with the assessment is that many teachers do not take it seriously for various reasons. Some do not assess their school or district accurately because they don’t care or because they do not like or agree with their administrators. An example of this is my own district where there has been recent turnover in administration and staff. Staff is leaving because of administrative decisions and the chart scores have fluctuated widely as a result. So, as important as technology is, so is the assessment cycle. It is, however, flawed.
Prensky, M. (2008). Adopt and adapt: shaping tech for the classroom. Edutopia: The George Lucas Educational Foundation.
About Me
- Pam Mahalec
- I'm a late bloomer...going back to school after my children are grown. I have 1 precious grandson and 3 children. I teach Homebound Students (too sick to attend school, but can work at their own pace). I hope to earn my Master's Degree in Educational Technology Leadership in order to move to the college level at some point.
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