By: Button (Senate Sponsor - Seliger) H.C.R. No. 104
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 9, 2013;
May 9, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on
Education; May 14, 2013, reported favorably by the following vote:
Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 14, 2013, sent to printer.)
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Technology has revolutionized the way we think,
work, interact, and play, and in the educational setting, it can
engage learners, promote discovery, and enhance the acquisition of
knowledge and skills; and
WHEREAS, Today, many students are comfortable with and
practical in the use of technology; a 2012 study by the national
nonprofit organization Project Tomorrow found that a large
percentage of Texas students access the Internet through their
personal smart phones, laptops, and tablet computers at home but
are rarely allowed to employ them in the classroom; moreover, 72
percent of Texas parents indicated that they would provide a mobile
computing device for their child if the school would permit the use
of such learning tools, for instance through "Bring Your Own
Device" programs; and
WHEREAS, Outside the classroom, young people are able to use
technology to create personalized learning environments that
directly fuel their passion for knowledge; schools frequently do
not offer such a highly customized experience, causing a growing
disconnect between how students acquire knowledge and collaborate
with others in their daily lives and how they are expected to learn
and participate in the classroom; and
WHEREAS, The use of technology in the classroom can make
education more student-centered and offer the ability to tailor
instruction to serve youths who come from diverse backgrounds and
have different interests and goals; although children may be
"digital natives" with high technical ability, they still need
guidance in developing critical thinking skills that will allow
them to maximize their potential to thrive amidst the rapid change
of the information age; teachers are likewise eager to take
advantage of the vast digital resources available to broaden
horizons and deepen the learning experience; and
WHEREAS, Technological proficiency is a requirement for
success in an increasingly global economy, and the use of mobile
computing devices in schools can better prepare young Texans to
become productive members of society; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby encourage school districts to adopt policies that promote
the use of technology and technological devices in classrooms; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward an
official copy of this resolution to the commissioner of the Texas
Education Agency.
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