This was the final web conference for the EDLD 5306 course. It is hard to believe that it is over already. Time goes by fast when you keep really, really busy.
The conference was very helpful for me. I had several questions regarding the Internship plan and the Principals Competencies and Skills Chart. Dr. Borel was able to answer them and clear up other concerns I had as well. She provided examples of activities for the Internship plan and explained that we should use as many activities as possible that fall within our regular job duties. This information was very helpful and enabled me to complete my plan after the conference.
The documents that needed to be uploaded to TK20 were clarified and Dr. Borel explained the new summary report we will have to complete during the internship time. She was also able to explain the course embedded hours reflection we are required to complete for each course with embedded hours.
This has been a wonderful experience and I was able to learn a lot about educational leadership and technology. I am looking forward to the rest of the courses in this program.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
EDLD 5306 Concepts of Technology - End of Course Reflection
The outcomes I envisioned for the course were to learn more about the Educational Technology Leadership program, become familiar and more comfortable with the online aspect of the course, to learn more about integrating the Web 2.0 tools into my classroom, and to learn more about the leadership component of education. I believe that I accomplished these outcomes. I am now familiar and comfortable with the online course format. I enjoy the web conferences as well as all of the discussion posts. The few frustrations I encountered with the technology involved were more than worth it, when I consider all that I have been able to learn. I understand the requirements of the program and I have learned more about wikis and blogs and would feel comfortable integrating them into my classroom. I have also begun to learn more about all the leadership aspects involved in having an administrative position. I think that the actual outcomes of this course not only aligned with what I had originally envisioned but also added much more.
The outcomes from this course are very relevant to the work I do at my school. I have always been the tech person to go to if you need something fixed or need to learn how to use something. I can figure out how to use just about anything and teach someone else to use it. I however, do not have a lot of experience in actually integrating technology into the curriculum. I have always taught how to use technology not how to use technology to learn something else. This course has given me a lot of great information and ideas on how to begin integrating technology into the various courses taught at my school. I am already planning a collaborative lesson using a web conference with an AP Geography teacher and an English teacher. This course has gotten me more interested in the integration side of technology and not just how it works.
I feel that the only thing I did not achieve that I had really wanted to, was completing all of the readings. I read the required articles but I really tried to read all of the posted articles. Some weeks it was easy and I was finished before I realized it. Other weeks it was difficult to find the time to read them in between all of my other responsibilities. I found that if I downloaded the articles and saved them in my dropbox, I was able to read them on my iPad while I was waiting at various places; which helped with the time management. Once I got started most of the articles were very interesting and I was eager to read more. There were only a few that I did not find interesting and had a hard time finishing.
I think I was successful in completing the course assignments. I was really worried about the APA format and spent a lot of time researching and even purchased a couple of guidebooks in addition to the required text for the class. Some of the assignments were very lengthy; which caused me to impose some very strict time management rules. The first couple of weeks were overwhelming with the items we had to track down for the assignments. We were halfway through the first week before I accepted the fact that I was not going to be able to obtain a copy of my states technology plan and decided to use the Texas plan. This caused a lot of stress because of the amount of work I had to do with the plan in a very short amount of time. I decided after that to use the Texas information for everything and not waste the valuable time trying to locate information that may not exist.
There were so many things I learned during this course. During the first week we completed numerous self-assessments. The results of the learning styles and technology assessments did not surprise me. The leadership assessments opened my eyes to all I have to learn about school leadership and my aversion to conflict. The second week gave me an opportunity to become familiar with my districts new technology plan and where we stand on the implementation of the plan. I also enjoyed reading and learning about the national plan and the major school reform it would require. After that I got to experience using blogs and wikis. I enjoyed using these Web 2.0 tools and being able to collaborate with my classmates. During this final week I have learned a lot about the internship requirements and the amount of time and work that it is going to involve. These requirements worry me but I am looking forward to the challenge. I think that the most valuable thing I have learned during this course is that I am able to be successful in a master degree program.
The outcomes from this course are very relevant to the work I do at my school. I have always been the tech person to go to if you need something fixed or need to learn how to use something. I can figure out how to use just about anything and teach someone else to use it. I however, do not have a lot of experience in actually integrating technology into the curriculum. I have always taught how to use technology not how to use technology to learn something else. This course has given me a lot of great information and ideas on how to begin integrating technology into the various courses taught at my school. I am already planning a collaborative lesson using a web conference with an AP Geography teacher and an English teacher. This course has gotten me more interested in the integration side of technology and not just how it works.
I feel that the only thing I did not achieve that I had really wanted to, was completing all of the readings. I read the required articles but I really tried to read all of the posted articles. Some weeks it was easy and I was finished before I realized it. Other weeks it was difficult to find the time to read them in between all of my other responsibilities. I found that if I downloaded the articles and saved them in my dropbox, I was able to read them on my iPad while I was waiting at various places; which helped with the time management. Once I got started most of the articles were very interesting and I was eager to read more. There were only a few that I did not find interesting and had a hard time finishing.
I think I was successful in completing the course assignments. I was really worried about the APA format and spent a lot of time researching and even purchased a couple of guidebooks in addition to the required text for the class. Some of the assignments were very lengthy; which caused me to impose some very strict time management rules. The first couple of weeks were overwhelming with the items we had to track down for the assignments. We were halfway through the first week before I accepted the fact that I was not going to be able to obtain a copy of my states technology plan and decided to use the Texas plan. This caused a lot of stress because of the amount of work I had to do with the plan in a very short amount of time. I decided after that to use the Texas information for everything and not waste the valuable time trying to locate information that may not exist.
There were so many things I learned during this course. During the first week we completed numerous self-assessments. The results of the learning styles and technology assessments did not surprise me. The leadership assessments opened my eyes to all I have to learn about school leadership and my aversion to conflict. The second week gave me an opportunity to become familiar with my districts new technology plan and where we stand on the implementation of the plan. I also enjoyed reading and learning about the national plan and the major school reform it would require. After that I got to experience using blogs and wikis. I enjoyed using these Web 2.0 tools and being able to collaborate with my classmates. During this final week I have learned a lot about the internship requirements and the amount of time and work that it is going to involve. These requirements worry me but I am looking forward to the challenge. I think that the most valuable thing I have learned during this course is that I am able to be successful in a master degree program.
Friday, December 9, 2011
EDLD 5306 Web Conference Week 4 - December 8, 2011
This weeks web conference provided a lot of valuable information. Dr. Borel discussed the changes to week fives assignments and we went over the Internship Plan and Principals Competency and Skills Chart. I feel much more comfortable about completing those two items now that Dr. Borel has explained the process and the selection of activities. She also discussed what we are required to submit to TK20 and the deadline for submitting all course work.
We were also able to ask questions about this weeks assignments, including the Professional Curriculum Vita we are to complete. After listening to the questions and answers I was able to edit my vita to be more suitable for its purposes.
I enjoy attending the web conferences because I think that it helps me feel more connected to the other people in the cohort. It helps to see that other people have the same questions and concerns that I do and it is helpful to put faces with the names we always see on the Blogs and Wikis.
We were also able to ask questions about this weeks assignments, including the Professional Curriculum Vita we are to complete. After listening to the questions and answers I was able to edit my vita to be more suitable for its purposes.
I enjoy attending the web conferences because I think that it helps me feel more connected to the other people in the cohort. It helps to see that other people have the same questions and concerns that I do and it is helpful to put faces with the names we always see on the Blogs and Wikis.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
EDLD 5306 Web Conference Week 3 - November 29, 2011
I attended this weeks web conference even though it was a repeat of the last mandatory web conference. I was overwhelmed after the last conference and I wanted a chance to hear and see the information again and to ask any questions I may have had.
Going through the information and listening to Dr. Borel explain everything a second time was very helpful. I was much less stressed and was able to focus much more on the details. After last nights web conference I definitely feel that this is a very manageable program; as long as I keep up with everything.
I think I have a good understanding of the flow of the program and the order of the classes now. The calendar that David posted was helpful (thank you); I remember seeing it before but I had not taken the time to go and look for it again. I feel good about the assignments I have posted and I believe that I am on the right track with my internship paperwork and plan.
Going through the information and listening to Dr. Borel explain everything a second time was very helpful. I was much less stressed and was able to focus much more on the details. After last nights web conference I definitely feel that this is a very manageable program; as long as I keep up with everything.
I think I have a good understanding of the flow of the program and the order of the classes now. The calendar that David posted was helpful (thank you); I remember seeing it before but I had not taken the time to go and look for it again. I feel good about the assignments I have posted and I believe that I am on the right track with my internship paperwork and plan.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Blog Posting #3 - National Educational Technology Plan
Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology
The National Educational Technology Plan (NETP) calls for an aggressive overhaul of the American Educational system. It calls for not only a learner-centered approach to education but also a massive retooling of the foundation of our educational system. It would do away with “seat time” requirements and age level groupings. Students would be promoted when they have mastered the content standards and not be required to attend a class for 180 days regardless of whether or not they need to.
The five areas that NETP focuses on to help close the educational gaps and infuse technology into the curriculum are learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure, and productivity.
Learning: Engage and Empower
Goal: All learners will have engaging and empowering learning experiences both in and out of school that prepare them to be active, creative, knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our globally networked society (U. S. Department Of Education, 2010).
In order to achieve this goal we will need to implement standards and learning objectives using technology for all content areas that reflect 21st-century expertise and the power of technology to improve learning (U. S. Department Of Education, 2010). Schools and states will also have to develop and implement learning resources that exploit the always on nature of the internet and allow learners the flexibility of anywhere anytime learning experiences.
Assessment: Measure what Matters
Goal: Our education system at all levels will leverage the power of technology to measure what matters and use assessment data for continuous improvement (U. S. Department Of Education, 2010).
To achieve this goal states and districts will have to develop and implement assessments that give real time feedback to students and teachers. Using interactive technologies, such as games, will provide both the learner and the educator immediate feedback as to how the student is doing and they will keep the learner actively engaged and motivated.
Teaching: Prepare and Connect
Goal: 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 (U. S. Department Of Education, 2010).
Today’s educators should have access to technology-based resources that allow them to access experts in business and best practices in their content area. Business professionals have been using online communities and resources as an important part of their professional lives for several years. Educators must start utilizing these resources as well in order to be prepared to teach their students to be productive in the 21st century.
Infrastructure: Access and Enable
Goal: All students and educators will have access to a comprehensive infrastructure for learning when and where they need it (U. S. Department Of Education, 2010).
To achieve this goal all students and educators will have access to high speed broadband 24/7 and have at least one wireless device for their use. This goal is going to take a lot of work and funding to achieve. The community and businesses are going to have to get involved to help achieve this goal. Due to the current economic conditions, I am most concerned about the nations ability to successfully implement this goal.
Productivity: Redesign and Transform
Goal: 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 (U. S. Department Of Education, 2010).
Public education has to change to reflect the times we live in to ensure that we are producing effective 21st century learners. Education needs to re-evaluate classroom structure, consider multi-age groups, and allow learners to move on once a standard is mastered not when seat time has been achieved.
Technology can transform the American Educational system, only if the stakeholders commit to the change. In order for this plan to be successful we, as educators, parents, and community members; must open our minds to the possibilities that technology can offer us and let go of our predefined notions of education.
U.S. Department of Education (2010). Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology. Retrieved from http://www.ed.gov/technology/netp-2010
Blog Posting #2 District Technology Plan
District Technology Plan
School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties is made up of 19 schools serving almost 17,000 students. The district implemented a new technology plan on July 1, 2011. District Five is committed to bringing the limitless and exciting power of emerging technologies to the students, staff and community. (2011 – 2014 Technology Plan).
The technology plan has five dimensions or goals that include Learners and Their Environment, Professional Capacity, Instructional Capacity, Community Connections, and Support Capacity.
The first dimension Learners and Their Environment states that the district will provide students with software, hardware, and instruction to be effective 21st century digital users and producers of information. This goal has four objectives. 1) Students will use technology to demonstrate proficiency in research and information fluency, critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration and communication and creativity and innovation. 2) Students will select appropriate technology tools to create individual and collaborative projects. 3) Students will engage in learning activities for core content areas that are aligned with ISTE NETS technology standards for Students. 4) Students will access digital age learning environments to promote research and information fluency.
The second dimension is Professional Capacity states that the district will promote teacher and staff development in the use and appropriate application of technology to the educational pursuits of District Five so that students can grow to become productive citizens in a technological society. This goal has the following four objectives. 1) Teachers will promote effective student use of appropriate technologies in all learning environments. 2) Schools will receive technology integration training and support to promote student learning, innovation, and creativity. 3) Teachers administrators, and staff members are effective and efficient users of appropriate technologies. 4) District will create an Office of Instructional Technology that will model and promote effective use of technologies for teachers, staff members, and administrators.
The third dimension Instructional Capacity states that District Five will use current and emerging technologies to promote digital age learning environments for teachers, students and staff. This goal has the following four objectives. 1) Create an Instructional Technology Department to support technology initiatives, information literacy, ISTE NETS, and South Carolina Curriculum Standards. 2) Provide teachers, administrators, students, and staff with access to current and emerging technologies to boost productivity while lowering overall cost. 3) Teachers, administrators, and staff members are effective users of appropriate technologies. 4) Create a district wide shared searchable resource for teachers and staff to share educational resources and lesson plans.
The fourth dimension, Community and Connection, states that District Five will use district, school, and teacher web pages, Parent Portal, social networking sites, school newsletters and a global telephone system, ConnectEd, to maximize community involvement. The four objectives in this goal are as follows. 1) The district will establish business partnerships to foster real-world career and technical education to maximize student achievement. 2) The district will provide current and up-to-date information to ensure effective and efficient communication. 3) The district will provide after-hours community access to media centers, computer labs and classrooms. 4) The district will promote district and school level technology fairs to showcase student created technology projects, artwork, and presentations demonstrating technology skills.
The fifth dimension, Support Capacity, states that District Five will provide a reliable, secure network infrastructure with dynamic bandwidth to support teaching and learning. The four goals for this dimension are: provide all teachers and students with current hardware and software, ensure schools have network infrastructure that will fully support instructional technology initiatives, continue rotation cycle for upgrading and replacing obsolete equipment, and increase IT staff to accommodate the enhancement and expansion of district technology endeavors.
My district offers a variety of professional development opportunities for technology. We have a Technology Training Center (TTC) located at one of the high schools that teachers can take technology courses at for professional development or graduate credit, the TTC also hosts day long professional development sessions for staff member and administrators, Integration Technology Specialist (INTEC’s) that will come to the schools and host technology professional development workshops for teachers during their planning time or afterschool, each school has a Technology Teacher Leader (TTL’s) who is available to host professional development workshops afterschool and during planning periods, we also have online options purchased by the district from our various software vendors. Currently the school based TTL’s work with the administrators to schedule technology professional development either through himself or herself or with an INTEC or the TTC. Occasionally the district will dictate what is to be offered and when.
Teachers and student currently take a statewide assessment matched to ISTE standards to assess technology proficiency. The state and district has cut technology funding drastically in the last three years. We are seeing less support, upgrades, and new initiatives because of this.
School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties, (2011, June 27), Creating a 21st Century Education System. Retrieved from: http://www.lexrich5.org/files/19707/2011%2D2014%20technology%20plan.pdf
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Blog Posting #1 – Technology Assessments
Technology Assessments
Technology assessments are a vital component to schools and states being able to develop and teach 21st century learners. Teachers need to be assessed to see what their technology leadership knowledge and skills are and where they need improvement. Once their technology leadership knowledge and skill level is determined professional development opportunitites can be developed and implemented. Teachers should then be required to do madatory professional development in order to learn the skills they are lacking and how to integrate the technology effectively into their classrooms. I have seen many professional development sessions go unattended because teachers do not want to take the time out of their busy schedules to attend. If it is not madatory then the teachers who need it the most will be the ones who do not attend. Without assessments districts and states would not know what the skills and abilities of their educators were. They would not be able to put in place effective technology plans nor would they be able to determine if the educators they had were able to grasp and implement 21st century teaching skills. Students need to be assessed to determine what their technology skills are so that teachers will know what they can expect the students to be able to do and what they need to teach them. A technology lesson will not be very effective if the students do not know how to do what is being asked of them and the teacher does not know to teach the skill. We also need to be able to determine if the students are meeting the state technology literacy goals that are in place.
Some cons of technology assessment are that states and districts do not always use the same assessment from year to year. When you do not have consistent reporting the data you gather is meaningless. When a state or district is starting out they may find they need to adjust the assessment but they cannot change it every year. Another drawback to technology assessment is that teachers or students may not perform well on them due to reasons beyond their control. Students who do not have technology access outside of school will most likely not perform as well as students who have access at home. The same applies to teachers. If your district is not able to provide you with adequate access then you should not be penalized for not incorporating technology into your classroom.
Overall, I believe that on going technology assessments are needed in order to help provide all stakeholders with information on where their state or school is, what they should be doing to advance to the next level, and to provide data for effective technology planning.
Monday, November 21, 2011
EDLD 5306 Web Conference Week 2 - November 17, 2011
Wow, talk about anxiety. I was worried and nervous before this web conference about being able to get all of the course work completed and now I am really worried.
I was happy to see all of the information on the Masters program and the Universities accreditations. I have to admit I have been a little apprehensive about doing my masters degree online. Even though I have read that information many times previously, I just feel better seeing it again.
The outline of the program and the internship requirements seem to be a little overwhelming right now. I hope that breaking them down into small pieces makes them much more manageable. I am worried about how busy and how quickly the next 18 months are going to be. I know that I am not the only one with a busy schedule already, so I feel better being able to take part in the web conferences and putting faces to names that I have seen many times online. It helps knowing that I am not alone in this adventure.
I hope that I can not only learn a lot from this program but also be able to help some people out along the way.
EDLD 5306 Web Conference Week 1 - November 16, 2011
This was the first web conference I have attended using the Adobe Connect software. It was extremely easy to get connected and the tools for the microphone, audio, and webcam were easy to navigate.
I liked having the ability to use the Chat window to type questions and receive feedback without interrupting the person speaking and that multiple people were able to answer various questions without having to disturb the flow of the instructor.
Another good attribute of the software was that the instructor could mute all of the microphones when the feedback got to loud. The last time I took an online course with web conferencing the feedback from the various microphones made it difficult to stay focused on the instructor and the content of the lesson.
I find it interesting how quiet everyone was during the web conference. If we were sitting in an actual classroom I am sure we would have gravitated into groups and been chatty. I myself do not mind speaking up and asking questions when in a classroom and face to face with the instructor but each time I take an online course with web conferencing, I tend not to say much of anything. I prefer to sit back and observe.
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