Week 5 Reflections

What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned?
As I started this course, I was hoping to learn a lot of new ways to use technology in my classroom. Before I become an administrator, I want to be able to experience the latest and greatest tools available. I learned more that I thought I would. By reading the many different articles, I learned that I am way behind the curve. There are teachers that have been pro-active in creating different software programs and activities that utilize the computer to its full potential. This course required me to really question my beliefs of cell phones in the school. I am currently still opposed to allowing kids to use cell phones for educational purposes in the classroom, but I was made aware of how much of an immigrant I am in the technology world. I am not sure how long it will take me to actually put into practice some of the things I learned, but I am eager to participate in more professional development sessions that will help me change the way I teach today’s kids.

To the extent that you achieved the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not?
To the best of my ability, I accomplished most everything that I set out to do in this course. Everything that I achieved was and is still relevant to how things operate at my school and in my classroom. I have learned a great deal about the possibilities that are out there in the technology world, but I am not sure how to get funding and resources necessary to make some of my expectations a reality. I really enjoy the opportunity to blog and wish that I could use that tool more often in my classroom. What a great way to have students turn-in assignments. I will still work on refining the assignments that I currently give to my students to help them use technology in more ways. I have learned that if I give my students the opportunity to complete and assignment using technology, they are more likely to give me a more complete and comprehensive result.

What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them?
As a result of this class, I really wanted to be more computer literate. I don’t feel as if I am ready to take on some of the things that I learned about. My biggest fear comes from the unknown or ignorance that I still have. I did learn that most things or tools are fairly easy once you get your feet wet, but diving in head first seems a little scary right now. I know that I need to submerse myself in technology, but I am still testing the waters. I will have to take baby steps to achieving my goals of teaching with technology. As a new teacher, I am still trying to figure out how kids learn and the different ways that I need to present the material to them in order for them all to have a chance to learn. I will try to learn more specific tools and concentrate on mastering a few assignments or activities that the kids can do that will give me the confidence to attempt more challenging feats.

Were you successful in carrying out the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you?
As I attempted the assignments in this course, I feel fairly confident that I was successful on most of them. I know that I was unable to put my full effort into the week 4 assignment due to the death of my grandfather last week. I was trying to complete the assignment around too many other things that were going on in mine and my family’s lives. I found it really hard to concentrate and focus on exactly what I was trying to write and accomplish. I was also out of town for most of that week and not around my campus mentor. I really could have used some guidance on the assignment for week 4. Other than that week, I feel really good about the work that I turned in and completed. I really enjoyed all of the discussion board readings and communication with the other people in my group.

What did you learn from this course…about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes?
As a result of this class, I was able to realize that I am a true technology immigrant. My 11 year old son probably knows more than I do about computers. I know that I have a lot of learning to do before I can start teaching the natives how to use the latest and greatest technological tools available. I still have a reluctant attitude about some of the suggestion with cell phone usage in the classroom. I still don’t think that our students are mature enough to understand the responsibility of using a cell phone in school. I am also very concerned about internet safety with our kids. I know that most kids don’t realize how much danger they put themselves in when they start putting their personal information out there on the web for everyone to see. I do agree that we need to continue to learn at the speed of technology so that we can continue to produce computer literate graduates.

What is the educational value of blogs and blogging to the 21st century learner?
Blogging is so new to me. My sister uses it all the time as a missionary in Venezuela. I am learning a great deal just from her use of blogging. The educational value of blogging is almost indescribable. Using blogging to communicate with fellow teachers and even students opens the doors to so many different avenues. When I or somebody else finds something that is working in the classroom, it is so easy to share it with the world. Just like a disease, that information is spread throughout the world. It is a resource that uses personal experience to educate the others of us that need and want to know what works. Blogging is fast and easy. I didn’t know that much about how and why people blog, but when my sister left the states, I learned how valuable it can be. She can post things that she wants to share with her friends and family without calling each one of them individually. What a time saver!

What are the concerns of blogs and blogging in education?
Blogging in education has a few concerns that have to be addressed with all students. Of course there are always copyright infringements and plagiarism concerns when it comes to computers and technology. There are some ethical issues that students need to be taught at an early age. We as educators cannot always trust that parents have taught their kids good ethical and moral beliefs. Blogging has to be monitored closely, which in itself, takes time and effort. Once a blog is posted, it is there for the world to see. If there is false information or damaging information posted, there are many issues that could follow. Teachers have to be aware of these possibilities and educate their students on proper use and the consequences that will result if there are violations. I feel that there needs to be very strict guidelines and signed contracts by students and parents before teachers start utilizing blogging in their assignments.

How can you use blogging to communicate with school stakeholders?
The use of blogging to communicate is a very fast and easy way to get information to a large audience. When parents, students, and various other people need to be informed, a simple blog can be posted. You can even use a blog to post assignments, homework, and the date of an upcoming test. I would use blogging to post my classroom discipline management, syllabus, and any other important classroom related documents. I could use blogging instead of trying to send out a bulk email to all of my parents. If the school had a program that my parents and students needed to be aware of, I could post that information as well. I could go on and on about blogging to communicate with the school stakeholders. I will probably start utilizing blogging with my students next school year. I just think it will make life a lot easier when it comes to communicating with a large number of people.

Technology Action Plan

In order to gather the necessary to data, I would develop a survey and have the entire faculty fill it out. I would then look at the assessment and other data gathered from the STaR chart, AEIS, and AYP to begin the development of a plan for Comprehensive Professional Development. In order to assess the plan, I would develop an evaluation that would provide feedback on its effectiveness.

Goal 1: Create a committee that will gather and analyze all available data. This committee will be responsible for coming up with ideas for a technology action plan.
Objective: Gather Data from the survey given to Administrators, Teachers, and Instructional Staff.
1) Things on the survey:
(a) Funding
(b) Software
(c) Hardware
(d) Facilities
1. Labs
(e) Personnel
1. Availability
2. Knowledge
Objective: Gather Data from STaR chart, AEIS, AYP and technology plan.
Objective: Create committee that is made up of Administrators, teachers, and instructional leaders.
1) First committee meeting
i) Analyze gathered data
ii) Determine what areas to focus on
iii) Split into focus groups
(a) Need to include other stakeholders
(b) Decide when to meet again
iv) Second Meeting with focus groups
(a) Discuss strength and weaknesses
1. Ideas to improve weaknesses
2. Ideas to maintain strength and use them
2) Third meeting as a committee
i) Suggestions for Professional Developments
ii) Time Frame Suggestions
Goal 2: To develop a plan for comprehensive Professional Developments that would enhance the instruction in a classroom to promote active engagement from the students.
Objective: Offer Professional Development for Technology
1) Technology for beginning teachers
i) New Teacher Orientation (August)
ii) Teacher Web Page
iii) Grade Book/ Attendance (Lynx)
iv) Nova net Student Sheets
v) Euphoria
vi) Projector
2) Technology for returning teachers (August)
i) Refresher courses
ii) Web page
iii) Euphoria (benchmark tests and data)
iv) Nova Net
3) Technology for all (Throughout the year)
i) New technology or activities
ii) Anything new the district purchased
iii) Interactive whiteboards, etc
iv) Curriculum based activities involving technology
v) Old technology or activities (throughout the year)
vi) Opportunities for teachers to learn or review
vii) Excel, power point, word, outlook, etc.
viii)Ethics, copyright laws, and safety
Goal 3: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Professional Development offered to all Administrators, teachers, and instructional staff.
Objective: Technology use in classroom showing Improvement
1) Gather data for evaluation at semester:
i) Administrators, teachers, and instructional staff take an evaluation
1. Needs being met
2. Knowledge base grown
3. Comfort level grown
ii) Teacher Web pages being maintained
iii) Technology being integrated into instruction
1. Shown on lesson plans
iv) Student engagement
1. Fewer referrals for classroom behavior
2. Student improvement on benchmarks
2) Use all data gathered
i) Make any changes to Professional Developments
1. Offer more or change what is being offered according to needs
3) Gather data for evaluation at the end of the year
i) Administrators, teachers, and instructional staff take an evaluation
ii) AEIS
iii) AYP
iv) STaR chart

Conclusion:
With proper funding and support, putting more technology in the classroom will keep the students better engaged. Providing meaningful professional development to the faculty will allow them to be more comfortable in teaching with technology. The more teachers that are using technology, the more likely the entire campus will buy-in to the mission statements and goals of the campus and district. Grants and funding will be easier to obtain and keeping up with technological change will be simpler.