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.