1. What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned?
At the beginning, I envisioned this course would teach me a wide array of elements of Educational Technology. More specifically, I expected to learn about blogs, wikis, and fair use. I am excited to see I got to learn all these things in the first course instead of over the entire 18 month program. I also envisioned learning technology integration tools to use in my classroom with my students. I did learn to use blogs, wikis, and wordle with my students and am excited to have learned some project ideas from the readings on how to teach the kids ethical use of the internet. I did not expect to learn so much on how to teach students to dissect the information they find on the internet. I knew the importance of this skill but have always been confused on how to teach this to students. Thanks to my Technology Leadership book, I learned to teach the kids to “MAP” the information in order to dissect the URL, the author, and the author’s purpose. My internet research unit is coming up in a few weeks and I am optimistic I will be able to do a much better job in leading the students to evaluate the usefulness of the research they find this year.
2. 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?
Definitely! The many things I learned in the past 5 weeks are very helpful in my school. I now understand the importance of the Star Chart and the District Long Term Technology Plan. I understand the importance of having a school technology plan and using it to plan the purchasing of technology tools and resources. I have learned how to use blogs with my students and have now personally used a blog and am no longer intimidated by it. I have learned about the Technology Facillitator standards and am learning how to apply these at my campus and in my district. I already knew about Acceptable Use Policies but will apply what I learned in this course when I work in the district technology committee because I will have the research to back up the importance of updating our AUP to include web authoring. Overall, I have really enjoyed this class because it applies directly to what I do in my classroom, it is the first time in my education experiences that I have read and learned about things I can directly use.
3. What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them?
I can only think of two things I did not fully achieve but I know that with more time in this program both of these things will be achieved. First, we learned a lot about the importance of technology integration and aligning things to the TA TEKS and the grade level specific TEKS but I still need specific ideas and examples. I am an example based person, once I see a few examples I can run with the idea. The other thing I did not fully achieve is understanding this internship. I am very unclear on the expectations of the internship and what exactly I am supposed to be doing. I think one reason for this is because of the mass amount of information given makes me have information overload. Another reason is because I need a example to look at so I can build off of it. A last reason is the online format, I believe if the internship was explained to me in words that I would be able to understand it better. I attended two web-conferences about the internship, the first one confused me more and the second one helped a lot. I wish the conferences were not always on Wednesday nights as it is the one night I’m not available. I know it is still early in the program so I should not fully understand the internship yet so I have hope that I will soon understand it better.
4. Were you successful in carrying out the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you?
Yes, I feel I was very successful in completing and turning in my assignments. The first week was a struggle for me because I thought I had to complete all the readings and all the videos before starting the assignment. The assignment the first week was so long and so time consuming. After learning the first week that I can start my assignment right away, I have been able to successfully manage my time and get all my assignments in easily. I feel like the assignments have been equally split up as far as work load each week which pleases me. I feel like I have learned very well how to manage my time to get my school work done as well as my Lamar school work done.
5. What did you learn from this course…about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes?
So far I have learned a lot about time management in this class. I have also reminded myself of the extent of my passion of technology. After teaching for five years, I have started to become a bit bored in my position. While I still love being a teacher, I forgot that my specific passion is in technology integration more than just teaching. I am glad this class has caused me to remember this. Also I have learned more about the leadership side of the position I am interested in and I know through my internship I will learn a lot more about leadership. I am a natural leader but definitely could use some strategies on how to get people to agree to a goal and work together to meet that goal. I have been much happier since beginning this program as I really enjoy learning and furthering my knowledge and skills, I do not feel so stagnant in my career and life.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Web Conference Reflection – Week 5
Tonight’s web conference was really helpful, I am very glad I was able to attend this week. I have been very stressed with the Internship plan this week, after today’s web conference I have a better understanding of what is required and a clearer understanding of how to “work backwards” with things I am already doing in my classroom and school. I am hoping as I go through my plan I will be able to apply these things and not be so overwhelmed with the plan. Tonight’s conference is the third one I have attended, it was nice to not have technical problems and lose a lot of time getting everyone set up and settled in. I still feel awkward using the microphone and am more comfortable typing in the chat section of the webinar. I also feel better every time I talk to someone else in the cohort and hearing/seeing their struggles, it makes me feel like I’m keeping up and doing better than I think I’m doing! Overall, it was a good and helpful conference tonight, I hope in the future they will not all be held on Wednesday nights so I can attend more conferences.
Monday, September 6, 2010
National Educational Technology Plan Summary/Reflection
Education is the key to success of the American Economy. By 2020, President Obama expects 60% of Americans to have some sort of a college degree and a 100% high school graduation rate. To increase these graduation rates, the National Educational Technology Plan (NETP) calls for our education system to not only provide engaging learning experiences but also to measure student achievement in more meaningful ways and suggest that technology-based learning and assessment systems are the keys to reaching these goals. Students today are surrounded by technology, they are “digital natives” the education system must appeal to this new generation by creating engaging, relevant, and personalized learning experiences to increase student motivation and achievement. Teachers are the biggest contributors to these experiences, it is essential they collaborate together and stay connected in order to provide meaningful learning for students.
The NETP presents five goals that address assessment, teaching, infrastructure, and productivity.
1. Learning - All learners will have engaging and empowering learning experiences in and outside of school that prepare them to be active, creative, knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our globally networked society (p.12). Educators must use things such as the TA TEKS and apply them to all content areas using 21st century technology tools. We must also offer 24/7 access to learners to provide information truly at their fingertips at all times.
2. Assessment –Measure what matters and use assessment data for continuous improvement. The education system must create effective assessments and take that feedback to make changes to aide in reaching these goals. We must also research and be on top of technology in the world and offer the students the most up-to-date tools.
3. Teaching – “Professional educators will be supported individually and in teams by technology that connects them to data, content, resources, expertise, and learning experiences that enable and inspire more effective teaching for all learners” (p.12). To meet this goal, it is recommended that teachers collaborate and have many resources and online learning communities. Also, staff development for integration, assessment, and instructional practices is a key in meeting this goal.
4. Infrastructure – Provide a comprehensive infrastructure to all students and staff offering adequate broadband and wireless inside and outside the school. Ensure every student has internet access to resources inside and outside of school and promote “meaningful use” of this technology.
5. Productivity - “Our education system at all levels will redesign processes and structures to take advantage of the power of technology to improve learning outcomes while making more efficient use of time, money, and staff” (p. 14). It recommends we use technology-powered programs and interventions that promote students completing their education with the skills necessary to be prepared for the workplace and citizenship.
Overall, I feel this National Technology plan is right on track for success. They seem to be right-on with the current times and trends. They realize the importance of technology integration and providing teachers and students resources and tools to integrate and have engaging real-life experiences. I am glad to see students and teachers are the focus of this plan, by focusing on them, the infrastructure will be forced to keep up. I am glad to see they understand the importance of assessment in reaching these goals but feel more specific details as to assessment expectations could allow greater achievement of the technology plan goals.
National Educational Technology Plan: Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology. (2009). Retrieved September 4, 2010, from http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/NETP-2010-final-report.pdf
The NETP presents five goals that address assessment, teaching, infrastructure, and productivity.
1. Learning - All learners will have engaging and empowering learning experiences in and outside of school that prepare them to be active, creative, knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our globally networked society (p.12). Educators must use things such as the TA TEKS and apply them to all content areas using 21st century technology tools. We must also offer 24/7 access to learners to provide information truly at their fingertips at all times.
2. Assessment –Measure what matters and use assessment data for continuous improvement. The education system must create effective assessments and take that feedback to make changes to aide in reaching these goals. We must also research and be on top of technology in the world and offer the students the most up-to-date tools.
3. Teaching – “Professional educators will be supported individually and in teams by technology that connects them to data, content, resources, expertise, and learning experiences that enable and inspire more effective teaching for all learners” (p.12). To meet this goal, it is recommended that teachers collaborate and have many resources and online learning communities. Also, staff development for integration, assessment, and instructional practices is a key in meeting this goal.
4. Infrastructure – Provide a comprehensive infrastructure to all students and staff offering adequate broadband and wireless inside and outside the school. Ensure every student has internet access to resources inside and outside of school and promote “meaningful use” of this technology.
5. Productivity - “Our education system at all levels will redesign processes and structures to take advantage of the power of technology to improve learning outcomes while making more efficient use of time, money, and staff” (p. 14). It recommends we use technology-powered programs and interventions that promote students completing their education with the skills necessary to be prepared for the workplace and citizenship.
Overall, I feel this National Technology plan is right on track for success. They seem to be right-on with the current times and trends. They realize the importance of technology integration and providing teachers and students resources and tools to integrate and have engaging real-life experiences. I am glad to see students and teachers are the focus of this plan, by focusing on them, the infrastructure will be forced to keep up. I am glad to see they understand the importance of assessment in reaching these goals but feel more specific details as to assessment expectations could allow greater achievement of the technology plan goals.
National Educational Technology Plan: Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology. (2009). Retrieved September 4, 2010, from http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/NETP-2010-final-report.pdf
Manor ISD Long-Term Technology Plan
The Manor ISD Long-Term Technology plan is a 3 year plan detailing how the district will progress its tools, staff, and students. I was actually on the committee that did this technology plan 2 years ago. Some important goals Manor ISD is focusing on in this plan include:
In order to reach these goals, our district focuses on professional development that provides training for software, develop integration workshops, sets up a Online Training Module, offers campus-based technology staff development and incentives for attending these trainings. The people in-charge for providing these elements include the Instructional Technology Coordinator, administration, campus technology teachers, and classroom teachers. The budgeting for professional development comes mostly from from Title II Part D funds. The tools used to monitor the progress include Star Charts, staff surveys, informal interviews, and training participation documentation.
- Administrator and teacher proficient in technology applications skills, software, and integration strategies.
- Students technology literate by end of 8th grade
- Focus on technology integration
- Instructional technology specialists employed on each campus
- Technology plans on each campus
- Hardware and network upgrades maintained annually
In order to reach these goals, our district focuses on professional development that provides training for software, develop integration workshops, sets up a Online Training Module, offers campus-based technology staff development and incentives for attending these trainings. The people in-charge for providing these elements include the Instructional Technology Coordinator, administration, campus technology teachers, and classroom teachers. The budgeting for professional development comes mostly from from Title II Part D funds. The tools used to monitor the progress include Star Charts, staff surveys, informal interviews, and training participation documentation.
Manor ensure improved student learning by replacing 100 computers, having laser printers in every classroom, increase bandwidth capabilities, add open computer labs for technology integration, and provide 33% of teachers projectors for instruction. The people in-charge for providing these elements are the Technology Coordinator and Technology Support Services. Local fund, bonds, and E-rate provide the budgeting for networks, hardware, and maintenance. The district Technology Committee is in charge of ongoing monitoring of the technology plan and making corrections to ensure the district meets these goals.
Technology Assessments: Pros and Cons
In my opinion, assessing student technology knowledge and skills is important because it holds teachers accountable for student knowledge. Students are expected to be “technology literate” by the end of 8th grade, by having assessment to measure student knowledge and skills we can measure our progress towards this goal. In my district, we currently have each student take a technology assessment when they finish 8th grade. To support the middle school, as an elementary computer teacher we began assessing our students in 5th grade. The data from this assessment allows me to refocus my teaching to specific areas for my next 5th graders. More specifically, this last year my end of year 5th grade assessment data showed my students were high in internet safety but low in evaluating the effectiveness of websites. As a result of this data, I have begun this year teaching internet safety to get into things and then we are doing a 6 week focus on searching/finding information on the internet and determining its’ effectiveness. A con of these assessments is that my students know how to complete tasks but have a hard time reading and understanding the assessment questions. Not understanding what the question is asking does not show students’ actual ability. For example, if we are in Microsoft Word and I have the kids’ center a picture they can do it yet they cannot answer on the assessment a question like “when using a word processing application what is the correct form of justification for this clip art”.
For educators, we annually use the Texas StarChart to assess their technology knowledge and skills. I feel there are many issues that skew this assessment data although I am thankful for having the assessment because district at least has some form of data that shows them the need to increase technology focus across the entire district. I am in charge of getting everyone on my campus to complete their StarChart, one problem I see is that teachers speed through the survey because they are busy with other things more important to them. They also often do not understand what the question is asking, much like I spoke of for the students. The StarChart only asks teachers questions, it’s an opinion, it does not ask them to show or prove their knowledge and skills and classroom use. The respondent can choose any answer they want whether it is accurate or not. For example, one teacher in my school answered developing tech for everything and did not begin to understand what the questions were asking. On the other side, there is a question about using the TA TEKS, where teachers answered it is not a focus on our campus when in reality there are two teachers (including me) who’s full time position is focusing on these specific TA TEKS and many teachers across campus who integrate technology and use the TA TEKS for their projects but a pre-kinder teacher who answered incorrectly does not know what goes on on the other side of the school with the older kids and does not understand that by having her pre-K students use the mouse and correct technology terminology she IS teaching towards the TA TEKS.
For educators, we annually use the Texas StarChart to assess their technology knowledge and skills. I feel there are many issues that skew this assessment data although I am thankful for having the assessment because district at least has some form of data that shows them the need to increase technology focus across the entire district. I am in charge of getting everyone on my campus to complete their StarChart, one problem I see is that teachers speed through the survey because they are busy with other things more important to them. They also often do not understand what the question is asking, much like I spoke of for the students. The StarChart only asks teachers questions, it’s an opinion, it does not ask them to show or prove their knowledge and skills and classroom use. The respondent can choose any answer they want whether it is accurate or not. For example, one teacher in my school answered developing tech for everything and did not begin to understand what the questions were asking. On the other side, there is a question about using the TA TEKS, where teachers answered it is not a focus on our campus when in reality there are two teachers (including me) who’s full time position is focusing on these specific TA TEKS and many teachers across campus who integrate technology and use the TA TEKS for their projects but a pre-kinder teacher who answered incorrectly does not know what goes on on the other side of the school with the older kids and does not understand that by having her pre-K students use the mouse and correct technology terminology she IS teaching towards the TA TEKS.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Week 2 Web Conference
This web conference about the internship was a bit overwhelming. I’m sure the internship will be a constant work in progress and that the program will direct us as we go - what to do and when to get it done, at least I hope so! I have a perfect candidate to be my mentor, we have a great instructional technology coordinator, and I hope she is willing to help me. The overall web conference format is a bit confusing because the microphones do not work for everyone and there is a delay. I know lots of businesses these days use web conferencing, it seems it would be a difficult platform for communication; I prefer the old conference call so far because technical difficulties are less likely. Although, I enjoy watching people answer on their web cameras by nodding their head. I found myself nodding my head as well, even though I don’t have a camera. Overall, I am glad I have the web conference as a resource, it makes me feel more connected, and I hope I will be able to attend the future Wednesday evening conferences.
Week 1 Web Conference
This web conference was very beneficial because it allowed me to learn how to use the program as well as connect my microphone and adjust my settings. At first I had problems connecting to the program, I could not make my microphone work and did not think a button that “starts camera and voice” would be the solution as I do not have a camera. Another issue I had was when I spoke into my microphone while introducing myself, there was an echo. I’m not sure if this is due to the cheap laptop I purchased (Toshiba instead of a Mac) or if it’s due to the external microphone I am using. When purchasing this laptop, online web conferencing was not on my mind. This gives me a great reason to go get a new toy, a laptop made for 21st century learning. Overall, I am very glad that I chose to attend tonight, I feel more comfortable about my web conferencing abilities for next week’s required conference, although I look forward to being able to join the conference completely after I receive my camera.
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