Reflection - Week 5

As I began this course, I was a little excited to learn more about technology and how as an administrator I can help my campus and staff integrate technology within the classroom but more importantly, how students could utilize the technology. In one of the first readings I read, the author talked about how we have to prepare students to be global citizens in the 21st century and that technology is the bridge for our students to connect worldwide. I think the students already know this, but I recognized that I am really behind the curve when it comes to technology. I think for the most part the course achieved its outcomes and helped me see the importance and benefits of staying abreast of what is happening within the technological world and helping my staff do the same. I think we have a long way to go, but I know personally I am trying to be more willing to try technologies that I have felt far exceeded my capabilities. That is definitely not true and there is a lot for me to learn.
I believe one of the most relevant outcomes was looking at professional development and thinking about and finding different ways to help teachers and students have more mastery over the programs, applications, and devices in technology and using them as a means for instruction, understanding, and connections in their quest for real world success. As I look at what the administration and staff are doing on our campus, I feel much of what I learned through this course is relevant in moving school districts forward and in being competitive in the global marketplace. We are headed in the right direction, but it takes time and money to move forward so sometimes we have to be OK with the pace at which we get there.
I do not believe I achieved the whole blogging practice. I felt good after my first two attempts and succeeded in posting my blog; I even uploaded a power point I created, but after that, when my document was too big, I became very frustrated and just gave up. I related to students in my classroom as they get frustrated and give up as well. I also would like to work on designing and implementing strategies for teachers in integrating technology within the classroom. The biggest compliant I heard these past few weeks as I asked around campus about technology in the classroom was that there is not enough time in a 50 minute class and the frustration when the technology doesn’t work. These are variables that must be addressed if the district wants their technology goals to be met.
For the most part I was successful in carrying out the course assignments, but I became very frustrated after week one when I felt the rules changed in regards to the discussion boards. I know it was poor timing, but between Thanksgiving and Christmas, there is so much going on within the schools and then to have the enormity of the assignments, the readings, and the discussions all combined was a bit over the top for me. I did not achieve all I could have achieved within the discussions; I cut corners and did what I had to do to get my posts done, but I feel like I could have been more successful and gotten more out of the readings if that pressure wasn’t there every week. I understand the importance of the discussion boards, but the requirements were a little too much for me given the time of year this class fell.
I did learn a lot from the readings and will take away much information regarding the technology that is out there to shoot for as an administrator. I think that the schools must find a way to lessen the rules in regards to technology and allow more access of the students and their technological devices. That is their gateway to the world and educators can truly use them in a very engaging and educational way for students to connect to the world. I also learned that I can learn about technology without being so intimidated. It is a matter of trying, exploring, and asking for help along the way. I had several colleagues at my campus that helped me throughout this course, and they didn’t hesitate to show me how to upload a power point. I also learned that to be an administrator I really do need to know more about technology and to set the example for the staff; I have to step up my game and lead as I would want my staff to lead their students.
Blogs are very interesting and something I have given much thought to over this course. I see blogs as a means of communication for very specific reasons. It is a way to connect a group of people without being present face to face. They can take the form of journaling or reflecting; I see blogs as a fundamental piece of the 21st century education to come. And I see ways in which school districts across the nation to utilize blogs as a way to stay connected to the community, teachers, and students. For example, I can see school board members blogging about certain issues that arise within the district and communicating with their constituents. I can see students blogging about a book they are reading and posting comments about their thoughts and reactions to a certain theme or character and having the teacher respond with his or her thoughts as well. Blogging is definitely a tool I would like to use more of as an educator.

Scaffolding Curriculum

The Technology Application TEKS for the elementary and middle grades are divided into clusters. Within these clusters, K-2, 3-5 and 6-8, student are afforded the opportunity to build upon their basic skill set to achieve mastery by the eighth grade. In looking at the technology TEKS, there is a definite spiraling of objectives. Considering just the Foundations TEK of demonstrating knowledge and appropriate use of hardware components, software programs, and their connections, children in K-2 develop and use basic computer as well as network terminology, demonstrate file and program manipulations and remotely access networked peripherals. These same TEKS as evidenced in the grade 3-5 cluster incorporate expanding the understanding of digital processing and resolving software compatibility issues. The cluster for grades 6-8 expands the TEK by developing students’ ability to compare and contrast between input, output and storage devices; the ability to appropriate select software applications based upon their efficiency and effectives as it relates to a task; compare and contrast the difference between analog and digital technology; expands their use of network terminology; and defines the similarities and differences between LAN, WAN, Internet and Intranet.

Pre-K Technology Summary

The TEKS for prekindergarten give students a chance to become familiar with the hardware and age-appropriate software applications. These children begin to expand their ability to acquire information, build problem-solving skills, and enhance communication skills through regular accesss and exposure. More specific, students in prekindergarten will learn to start, use and exit software applications; use a variety of input devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, touch screen, or voice recorder; begin developing proper use of technical terminology; follow basic oral or pictorial instructions for computer operations; access electronic storybooks and information texts; and utilize age-appropriate software packages containing audio, video, and graphics. K-2 teachers are afforded the ability to integrate technology as an effective learning tool at the onset of the school year through foundational exposure and experiences received in prekindergarten.

Long Range Plan response

I acquired a bit more information in reading the different components of the Long-Range Plan. I understood the timeline for the plan and familiarized myself with the different phases. In the next few sections, I felt like there was a lot of repetition from all the readings we have done over the last two weeks. I felt like I had a good grasp of these key ideas reflected in my assignment summaries. I did understand more in dept the infrastructure system and what it will take for schols to really be ready for the 21st century learner. I feel we have a long way to go! Finally, I felt the Educational Technology Advisory Committee is a source that can help the state and districts fully develop these long-range goals. I feel just knowing this information and getting a better grasp of what these goals are for our schools will help me as a leader to guide technology use and integratioin at my campus.

S Ta R Chart PPT

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

S Ta R Chart PPT

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I feel the area that our campus, and probably campuses across the state, needs to work on significantly is the area of Teaching and Learning. Teachers do not integrate as much technology as they can into their curriculum and that has been supported by our campus STaR Chart and in the reading material that we have read so far. They are lacking in designing their curriculum to include different components of technology so that students can have more hands on experience, and I am not talking about using a laptop to research and then make a presentation, but more advanced applications that they can learn and use every day. I think that our classrooms today are not ready for the classrooms of the future and teachers definitely are not ready. Teachers need to engage their students more using technology but they also need planning time and professional development to help in the designing of their curriculum to include technology. Online learning is part of that futuristic approach to learning and I have not seen any approach to that in the high schools or across the state and across the nation. I do think globally, other countries are getting the head start on us. I think as our nation, states, and local school districts plan for the next 10 years and beyond, they must plan with technological advancements in mind. We will only see ourselves continue to lag behind more and more if we don’t.

Well, I did it! It wasn't as hard as I thought. I guess I am off and running now. Yea, me!!