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.