Week 5 Reflection

• What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned?


Upon orieneting myself with the premis of this course I was expecting a course in applying and using institutional technology. Perhaps some troubleshooting and understanding a variety of operating systems was what I envisioned. Consequently, my computer suffered a major downfall, and I was left trying to figure it out. After hours of technical support and running scans, and trying this and trying that, I actually did learn a bit about trouble shooting a computer. Just from listening and paying attention to what was being done by the technician I became a bit more advanced in my understanding of the Windows XP operating system.

Many of the things I have noticed with technology integration in public schools is the number of attainable grants available and the money that is being dedicated to assist in this endeavor. However, with this massive financial commitment to make schools more technologically up to date, there has not been a deliberate and obvious training program to facilitate its integration into the classroom. What the content of this course made apparent to me is that the need for technology integration is present and necessary. However, many issues arise with the technology among them being adequate training, infrastructure, and security.

• To the extent that you achieved the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not? I believe it to be very relevant. I use hardware and applications everyday in my classroom. Among the many considerations I have when planning are, How can this be done, and What are the limitations.

• What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them?

Well I don’t believe I was able to address the requirements on the discussion board as I had hoped. The number of articles was high, and what was asked of us was very time intensive and with the computer problems I experienced, I fell behind and wasn’t able to interact as I had hoped. Just to get the opinions of others in the same situation.

• Were you successful in carrying out the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you? As far as the assignments, yes I believe that I was able to get the needed materials and analyze them and make some decisions as to the alignment of our district with regards to the vision the state has for technology. With regards to the articles and discussion boards. No I feel as if I neglected those to a great extent because of the problems mentioned previoulsy.

• What did you learn from this course…about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes?

I learned that a solid foundation with the platforms on which you are working are necessary and vital. I became aware of the vision the State of Texas has for the integration of technology in the public classroom. While plannign the staff development It became apparent to me that I share the same vision that the State does with regards to technology. That shared vision really enabled me to be a valid organizor of the development opportunity. With a passion for the contnet and understanding of the relvance it wa more than a task, it became a crucial part of the educational atmosphere.

• What is the educational value of blogs and blogging to the 21st century learner?

I believe it provides an opportunity to make instructors, and reflection more accessable. When a learning moment occurs blogs make it possible to publish a discovery and offer an opportunity to relfect upon the process. In addition students and professors are no longer limited to the classroom for interacton. Blogs also make it possible for instructors to get feedback from their students.



• What are the concerns of blogs and blogging in education?

Because of the openness of the media security and protecting against innappropriate material is a real concern. Another concern is protection of ideas. It would be very possible for an idea to be taken and used for another benefit.

• How can you use blogging to communicate with school stakeholders?

Blogging would give many a voice and their thoughts and ideas are not fleeting. They are posted on the blog for as long as the moderator would like for them to be. I think this would really give not only active stakeholders but those in the community an opportunity to make their voices heard, in open and honest manner.

Technology Infrastructure and App

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Technology Readiness and the STaR Chart

The recent changes to the technology readiness have had a profoundly positive impact on the exposure to a wide range of platforms for the students.  Some of the notable additions have been a Distance Learning Lab, the addition of three up to date computer labs, and network drops with installed data projects in each classroom.  The case can be made that the campus is headed in the right direction and in line with vision Texas has for its public schools with regards to technology.  Each classroom is prepared to accept smart board technology and has the ability to podcast lectures for students to access off campus.    Teachers and students can also share files, and teachers have the capability to accept assignments and projects electronically.  One major flaw in the planning is the lack of meaningful training on this equipment.  Much of the inservice has focused on strategies, and learning theory.  An organized methodical series of sessions on the available technology on campus would serve both teachers and students well.  This series of technology training should begin with training on windows, and the office suite of programs.  Followed with an orientation on the distance learning lab,and what opportunities are now available with its presence.  On campus are many hand held recording and probing devices for the purposes of gathering data.  A department oriented training I believe would be appropriate for those.

Technology Curriculum

Effectivly instucting students to use hardware and software applications beign with an understanding of the design and construction . A good foundation in computer construction, and coding language not only provides a functional understanding of the equipment but also give the user a sense of autonomy.
Having a framework for evaluating information aquired throuhg digital media must also be modeled. Computers and data probes are information producing machines and often times the overwhelming amount of data can overshadow what is desired or discovered.

Comments on the Long Range Plan

The TEA has long rage plan for technology integration with a very broad scope. I conclude the desired otucome is to have a tchnologically literate populus, which has a solid foundation in software and hardware applications. As a campus leader it is critical to model competent integration of technology.
If Teachers are expected to to increasingly include technology into thier lesson plans, they campus climate, infrastructure and trainging opportunites must be all intact prior to the the push. With a reliable source of financing and a common shared vision of technology use in the classroom, the typical Texas classroom can move forward inthe 21st century.

Technology at my Campus Week 1

Technology is loosely used term that most of us attach to computer literacy. With the continued development of the Internet and file sharing what you know about software and computing today may very well be out of date by tomorrow. Much of the knowledge and many of the skills I have developed are becoming increasingly obsolete. Upon completion of a comprehensive technology analysis I have come to a few conclusions.
On my campus I there is an obvious effort to continually introduce new technology into the classroom. The campus administration is very open and willing to automation in every aspect of campus management as possible. In addition the number of student computer labs have expanded making available workstations for student projects. The infrastructure for a technologically literate campus is in place and updated. However, where I think we fall short is in the area of time and training.
Faculty will integrate this equipment into their daily plans as much as possible if they are sure they know how it operates, and what its limitations are. I have not observed an adequate in service time commitment to facilitate this level of comfort. Often our in service can be boiled down into data analysis and how to improve test scores.
Infrastructure is sound and constantly updated, however a broad competency on this equipment does not exist. Time for training and exploration is what our campus technology plan lacks.