Week 5 Assignment-Reflections

Kay Palmer
EDLD 5352 Week Five Assignment

Reflections
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect of this course when it began. Usually the title of the course is a dead give way as to the content to be cover in the class. Not so with this class. This class was loaded with hands on technology, most of which was new to me. This class was full of new information, and all was information I will use as an administrator. From the ideas to help implement technology on campus to copyright infringement, this class was very useful. Even more, I learned how to write and use a blog! I had no true “outcomes” envisioned for this class, but it was one of my most useful to date in the program.
I achieved all the expected outcomes for this class is a surprisingly easy manner. I think the fact that the use of the technology expected, i.e. creating a slide show, creating a blog, etc. was hands on made it much easier. We were able to get in and play with it, and tweak it until we were happy and satisfied with our results. The outcomes from this course are definitely relevant to the work I do at my school. With the technology that we are integrating now in our classrooms, with our students being much more technology savvy, as well as the parents, the experiences from this class will help me be a more technology savvy as well.
There were no expected outcomes that I did not achieve during this course. I would have, however, liked to have become more adept at other areas of technology, such as how to do a live web cast. (although that was not covered in this course) I think thing such as blogging (covered in the course) and live web casts (not covered) are excellent tools to help keep us current and abreast of the new technology that is extended to our students. For our students to be successful, they need teachers that are delivering their teaching in a way that not only reaches each and every learner, but reaches them in a way that will also be helpful to them later in life. (technology)
Much to my surprise, I was successful in carrying out all of the course assignments. I say to my surprise, because I am not cutting edge, when it comes to technology. I really appreciated this course for that very reason. This course took my hand and walked me through several elements that will help me in my career as both a teacher and administrator, and forced me to implement those elements in “real time” for each assignment. This course also made me more aware of all the issues and troubles that can surround copyright infringement, and really got me to thinking about how I would handle that issue on my own campus.
Through this course, I have learned quite a bit of useful information. I really enjoyed the opportunity to learn how to create a blog. Blogging is just one of the many tools that as both a teacher and administrator you can use to reach parents. I also learned through this course that both my district and my campus are right on track with the delivery and implementation/integration of technology within our classrooms and throughout the district. I also learned quite a bit about copyright infringement, and the need for all campus staff to be aware of the importance of copyrights.
Blogs and blogging are extremely important to the 21st century learner. As our students/children spend more and more time “connected through the web”, blogging becomes a very useful tool for both teaching and discussion. Through blogs, teachers can share lessons, ideas, and upcoming events. Through blogging students can dialogue with each other and the teacher, as well as submit assignments. Blogs can also be useful in “bringing in” students that are shy or that might not engage in conversation/discussion in the face to face classroom situation, and allows those students to be actively engaged without feeling self conscious.
With the usefulness of blogs, also come negatives and concerns. As with any other forum, blogs have negatives. When blogging you are essentially opening yourself up to anyone and everyone that has access to the internet. Although you would hope that what you publish in your blog is safe, as with everything on the internet there are security concerns. When blogging, all educators also need to keep in mind that once they publish their blog, it becomes part of public domain, and is open to criticism, so you must be extremely careful and thoughtful before you post your blog.
Blogging is a very useful tool when it comes to communication within a district. Not only can a district use it to communicate with its campuses, but campuses can also use blogging to communicate amongst themselves. Blogging is a very useful tool for teachers and administrators as well, as both can use blogs to communicate with parents, students, other teachers/administrators, and community members as well.

Week 4 assignment parts 1,2, and 3

Kay Palmer

EDLD 5352
Week 4 Assignment
Part I
Action Plan/chart identifying key stakeholders integrating technology and district and campus organizational leadership.

Job Title/ Roles & Responsibilities

School Board Members
Approve all proposed technology plans, campus and district improvement plans, and budgets to support all these plans.
Superintendent
Shares a vision among stakeholders of where the district needs to move forward and toward in all areas, including technology. This person is the bridge between the board and the district.
Assistant Superintendent of Finance
In charge of developing a financial plan to back the implementation of technology programs for the district, including local, state and federal monies.
*Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum/**Technology Coordinator
*Coordinates with technology coordinator on implementation of technology in classroom. Is aware of district technology needs. **Works closely with Asst. Superintendent of Curriculum to ensure correct technology implementation in classroom. Also responsible for ongoing staff development for all new technology usage.
District Technology Representatives
Representatives install, repair, order and help as support for all district hardware and software. Responsible for ensuring technology is being utilized and implemented in the classroom.
*Campus Principal/**Assistant Principal
*Should budget for technology ; conduct classroom visits that focus on technology usage with students; provide staff development to ensure the advancement of technology on the campus**Should assist Principal with all the duties listed above.
Campus Instructional Technology Specialist
Is in constant contact with district technology coordinator to ensure technology tools and applications are integrated into instruction. Also help to provide support for teachers, conduct staff developments, and ensure proper copyright usage.
Teachers/Campus Staff
Responsible for the implementation and integration of technology and technology tools into their daily lessons/lesson plans.

The Principal is ultimately responsible for what does or does not happen on his or her campus. Therefore it is of the utmost importance that the Principal is active in the monitoring of technology advancement on his or her campus. The Principal is key in actively maintaining technology advancement through trainings, professional developments, evaluation systems, and accountability of all on his or her staff.




Part II
Professional development plan designed to achieve the action plan of integrating technology with instructional and organizational leadership.

Professional Development Goals for Staples Elementary-Through staff development/professional development our staff will:

· Staff will learn how to collect and analyze both student and campus data
· Staff will learn how to use data collected to drive their instruction
· Staff will learn how to integrate technology new to campus in their daily classroom lessons
· Attend grade level appropriate workshops provided by Region XI in technology relevant areas for their course of instruction
· Attend a minimum of one district or region technology workshop that would assist them in integrating new technology and technology processes in the classroom

Again, this is a prime example the campus principal maintaining technology advancement through trainings, professional developments, evaluation systems, and accountability of all on his or her staff.




Part III

This is an important part of the process, as the evaluation component lets both the administrators and staff know what was successful and what wasn’t or needs to be addressed again or in more detail. The evaluation needs to be done through a variety of ways. Feedback is crucial. One way to collect this feedback would be through an anonymous survey, so that teachers could express what they liked and disliked, and also let administrators know what other areas they might need help in, without feeling like they are singled out.
Also, administrators would conduct ongoing evaluations through classroom walkthroughs, to ensure implementation of technology integration.
Another type of evaluation would be done by the site based committee. The site based committee would need to evaluate the technology needs/status to help to better create a focused campus plan that is current.
So, as we all know, the evaluation portion would be an ongoing process. A process revisited frequently to make sure both the campus and the staff are up to date and current in technology usage and integration.

Week 2-STaR Chart/TLRPT Opinion Piece

After reviewing my campus STaR charts for the last three years I noticed that our campus is currently adequately addressing the implementation of technology on our campus. For the 2008-09 school year our teachers rate our campus as "Advanced Tech" in all four areas. This is an improvement over the 2006-07 and 2007-08 school years in which we were still in the developing tech classification in both teaching and learning and educator preparation and development. (in the other two areas we were advanced tech) I think this speaks to the fact that the campus makes sure it is utilizing all resources received to ensure both student and teacher advancement in technology.

After comparing our STaR charts to the statewide campus summary it was also evident that our campus is ahead of the curve when it comes to technology application, as the state majority falls into the developing tech classification on all areas with the exception of infrastructure, where we are a part of the state majority- in the advanced tech classification.

Technology integration is an ongoing process, but with the installation of projectors, whiteboards,
computers on wheels, etc., I can definitely see that my campus is moving forward, and the STaR chart reflects that effectively. At this rate, my campus is well on it's way to meeting their target tech goal in all areas.

STarR Chart by Kay Palmer

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STarR Chart by Kay Palmer

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Pre-K Technology Applications TEKS and Spiraling Curriculum

As a Pre-K teacher, I understand better than anyone the importance of the Pre-K Technology Applications TEKS. The guidelines for Pre-K students helps to ensure their (the pre-k student's) abilty to perform in a technology based classroom to ensure future success. Pre-K is given a set of guidelines to help each 3 or 4 year old student gain basic meaning of age appropriate concepts in technology. The domain has five categories, and uses end of year assessment on my campus to ensure each student has reached their goals. These basic computer, software, application, and devices goals help to set the pre-k student up for future success, as they build and grow on these basic, must have computer skills.

The Pre-K Technology Applications TEKS is a perfect example of spiraling/scaffolding curriculum that helps ensure our student's success. A spiraling/scaffolding curriculum is the most student centered/student friendly curriculum, based on student success. As you spiral or scaffold, the student takes knowledge gained, and builds on it from year to year. It is important to team with your faculty, both vertically and horizontally, to make sure there are no gaps in learning, or there will be a break down in the scaffold method. With the reinforcement of previous skills when introducing a new skill the student sees the value in prior knowledge, and begins to understand the concept of "growing" new knowledge from prior knowledge.

The foundations TEKS for K-2 is an excellent place to look when noting the multiple opportunities students have to acquire/master the basic knowledge and skills needed to implement technology correctly.
When implemented correctly scaffolding is a highly effective curriculum tool.

The Long Range Plan for Technology 2006-2020

The long range plan for technology is a defined set of guidelines for administrators to use as a tool to help them move forward in implementing technology in all classrooms over the next eleven years. The LRPT provides a guide to the four domains that should be upgraded and implemented by the year 2020 to ensure full student immersion in technological advances in the classroom.

With a shift in today's learning, teachers not only provide the technology vision, but also help students to implement the understanding of technology in all aspects of their lives. As we move forward, it is our goal as educators to provide the students with touch with the knowledge and necessary technological tools to become successful in this ever changing climate in which we live. The LRPT helps to guide administrators as they seek to implement the changes, and helps teachers diversify their teaching methods to reach all students thorough both technology and digital advancements.

The advancement into the technology age in the classroom will be an ongoing process. But with improvements to the four domains, teaching and learning; educator preparation and development; leadership administration and instructional support; and infrastructure, we will move toward the goal to promote academic excellence through technology for all students by the year 2020.

My Personal Technology Assessments

After taking two technology assessments, the Technology Applications Inventory and the SETDA Teacher survey, my lack of technology application was confirmed. Altough I have some technology training and have attended many technology workshops, without the tools, the application part(the key factor) falls through the cracks. I am in a small district that has been slow to implement the use of technology in the classrooms. Just this last year before school was out, we were all provided with mounted projecters from which we can project images from our teacher computers. There is also the promise of whiteboards in all classrooms by January, although we have had no training as of yet. I think that my experience with technology implementation is probably being felt by many teachers in smaller/lower socioeconomic districts across the country.

The SETDA survey did bring to light several keys points when it comes to technology usage within my grade level. We are not using the technology resources that we do have equally in all areas of teaching. I also think we are lacking when it comes to the use of data provided to us through technology.

The technology applications survey also confirmed what I already knew. I was at 50-75% in all areas, not due to lack of willingness to implement technology, but due to lack of resources and or lack of training.

I agree with the results of the surveys, I am lacking in the area of technology, both usage and application. To be a better educator and help my students grow, I must seek out both training and resources to help my students not only lean, but to also help them teach each other and themselves. I realize finding the resources will be a challenge given the state of the economy, but it is crucial to the development of our student achievement and success.