LSSL 5391 Environmental Scan

    Laredo, Texas is a city in Webb County and is along the Rio Grande in South Texas.  Its population is estimated to be over 256,000. (U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Laredo City, Texas, n.d.)   Laredo is a city which borders Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas Mexico.  It is the nation's largest inland port of entry.  “The Port of Laredo is the number 1 inland port along the US-Mexico border and the nation’s third-busiest port among more than 450 airports, seaports, and border crossings with $299.4 billion in total trade with the world in 2022.” (International Trade – Laredo Economic Development Corporation, n.d.)  Because of this, our city has thrived in the area of importing and exporting goods, while blending the two cultures of the U.S. and Mexico.  Over 95% of Laredo’s population is Hispanic.  Both English and Spanish are spoken, with the majority of the population being bilingual.  Undoubtedly, technology plays an important part in our community.  It helps our city continue to function on a daily basis.

There are two main school districts in Laredo, along with several private schools and charter schools.  I work for one of the main school districts in the city.  My district is big on technology.  Like stated in their mission statement, the district’s “Instructional Technology Department is committed to providing students, teachers, administrators and staff with an exemplar technological learning and working environment.” (Technology Services, n.d.)  Every teacher and student is issued a device.  Teachers are issued laptops, while students are issued chromebooks or ipads.  Devices are regularly updated to newer versions.  All district buildings provide high speed internet access.  When the pandemic hit and students were learning virtually, the district provided students with internet hotspot devices to take to their home and use, if needed.  Since each child has a device, teachers incorporate technology in their daily lessons.  Students are taught to log in to their devices using district credentials.  They then log in to Classlink, in which they are able to access all apps and programs provided by the district.  For daily lessons, teachers sometimes use videos to introduce concepts.  They also use Nearpod lessons to practice skills.  Our district requires two Nearpod lessons to be completed every six weeks.  Other educational programs that are used to reinforce skills taught in the classroom, are also included in Classlink.  Students use their devices to complete assignments, practice concepts taught by their teacher, and complete homework.

For the past three years, our campus has had a full time Digital Learning Specialist (DLS).  A DLS is a professional who takes care of technology-related professional development.  Since teachers are required by the district to have a total of 20 hours of technology professional development, the DLS offers plenty of training throughout the year.  They are also in charge of handling and keeping inventory of devices.  Our teachers are pretty well trained and equipped when it comes to technology and its use in the classroom.  Unfortunately, this position is funded by a grant which will be ending soon, so it has been said that school librarians will now have to take over part of this role.  Librarians integrate technology in lessons as well.  It makes it so much easier when the students are familiar with using devices and can easily transition their knowledge to the lesson the librarian is offering.  At times, our librarian will co teach or visit the classrooms to offer lessons dealing with coding or other fun technology activities.

Without a doubt, technology is essential in our city and our schools.  It is a crucial part of our every day.  On rare occasions, I have witnessed how lack of technology has hindered the city.  When systems are down in our bridges, it’ll cause a halt of incoming or outgoing freight and this ends up having serious effects.  When it has happened at our schools, some things have come to a stop as well.  Sadly, it’s like we freeze without the ease technology provides for us.    Nevertheless, I feel that exposing our students to all this technology from such an early age will positively impact their future.  It will not only help them with their education but will better prepare them for jobs around our city and the world.  

References

International Trade – Laredo Economic Development Corporation. (n.d.). Laredo EDC. Retrieved September 7, 2023, from https://www.laredoedc.org/site-selection/international-trade/

Technology Services. (n.d.). Laredo Independent School District. Retrieved September 7, 2023, from https://www.laredoisd.org/page/technology-services

U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Laredo city, Texas. (n.d.). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2023, from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/laredocitytexas/PST045222