Reflection on Technology

At the start of the course, I was hoping to gain insight on different forms of technology and their functions. I wanted to go beyond using computers for online research and paper typing. I wanted this course to be more of a "learning by doing," course instead of a "read and listen" course.

I am one of those people who need to be hands on and go through the steps a concept to really stick. That is why I was delighted that the course not only required us to read about blogs, but to create one. Having to create one and update the blog moved me from a beginner to intermediate in less than five weeks.

My goal for every course that I take, is to learning something that I can apply in my current and future positions. This course held true to helping me reach my goal. As a teacher, I can help educate my students and parents on Internet safety, cyberbullying, and ethics. As an administrator, I would make sure that my campus has a school web site that is up and running.

The course was very intense with the readings and assignments, but the challenge was well worth it. I thought the class would be a lot of readings, lecturing, and analyzing of the readings and lectures. But the way it was designed was far beyond that. The discussion and quote responses was a great way to get people to thinking and collaborating.

My sister has always said that everything is black and white. She is an accountant and like most number people doesn't believe in a gray area. Well things I learned in the course are somewhat in a grey area for me. The things that I learned were very valuable, but somewhat useless in my current position.

I am an English teacher at a school that has very limited resources. The school has many hindrances such as discipline problems, attendance problems, lack of motivation on the part of students and staff, and very little parental involvement. Our school has two computer labs where 18 out of the 30 computers are working properly. There are missing mouse, keyboards, and Ethernet cords. Therefore, even if we as teachers could plan creative lessons for our students there aren't enough resources to successfully pull it off.

However, I did learn enough to share information with teachers who teach computer courses and have working computers. During the past couple of weeks, I observed those classes to what type of activities were taking place. In one classroom, students were typing their essays because the teacher wanted to do her part with TAKS writing. In another classroom, the kids were using a program called Microtype to learn the home row keys. My concerns: (1) How simply typing an essays is helping with TAKS? (2) The first semester is almost over, so why are the students just now practicing home row keys? With what I learned in this class I can introduce the teachers to blogs, podcasts, and online discussions.

The emphasis on the TAKS test and the lack of resources will make it difficult for me to put the things that I learned into effect in my current position. But as a future administrator, the things I learned will surly be put into place. My campus will definitely be a technology enhanced campus.

Overall, I would say that I was successful in completing the course assignments and requirements. At times, the assignments seemed difficult and a bit overwhelming, but I managed to complete them with little error.

The assignment that was the most challenging for me was Week 2. It was also the most rewarding. I had a very difficult time getting my slide presentation to show my blog. But I really enjoyed making the Power Point slide. It required me to think as if I were actually about to present to my fellow.

I was estastic to see that I received 100% on this week's assignment because I put a lot of thought and effort into the opinion piece that we had to write on the areas of the STaR Chart.

I think it is so important to determine what your know, need to know, and what your learned after completing a course. That is why I took the pre-assessments very seriously. It was a must for me to set learning goals for myself. I believe the way the course assignments were designed for optimum learning.

The use of technology in the classroom never went pass the overhead projectors and online research. There are several ways to incorporate technology into our classrooms. There are blogs, podcasts, online collaboration, and so much more.

I realized that I blocked myself from learning new things because I had my mind made up that learning new things about technology was useless. It would be useless because my campus wouldn't have access to the things that I was hearing about.

I had to wake up and realize that I was limiting myself. I will not be at the is school or in my current position for the rest of my career. Knowledge is power and with being educated on anything that could enhance the learning experience would take me so far.

The Power Point slide show and the action plan forced me to think like a leader. I learned how to analyze data, assign jobs, determine needs, and plan for my campus. I believe I can now present an informative staff development on technology that summarizes the the things I learned in this course.

Blogging is not just for entertainment purposes. Blogging is a way to gain immediate access to information on any particular subject. I thought blogs were just a way for teen to communicate with one another. Truth be told the first time I saw the word blog was when I found out my 16-year-old niece had created a MySpace page. I thought of blogs as entertainment pieces that individuals created for their own personal journals or diaries.

Blogs can function as more than a personal diary, but as an information source. Weblogs can contain text, images, and links that display news, information, or opinion on a certain subject. The subject matter on weblogs can be easily changed, edited, and added to.

Another aspect of blogging is that it can be used as a discussion tool. Readers can post questions and comments about a teacher's or classmate's blog. The positing can lead the reader and creator into further learning causing them to do further research.

Blogs can also be used as an aid for teachers, sort of a classroom management tool. Teachers can post assignments and special projects on their blogs for students and parents to see. Teachers could also include links and websites about the current unit of study. Parents could use the blogs as a connection between home and school.

Even though there are a lot of advantages to using blogs in the classroom, there can also be some downfalls. The main stumbling block that one could face is accessibility. Many students in the lower economic areas don't have computers at home. This will make it difficult for parents and students to get the full advantages of using blogs. The same issue occurs in many of schools as well. Our computer labs are filled with non-working computers and Internet connection that move at a turtle's pace.

With anything online, there is always the issue of ethics. Students must be taught the proper why way to use blogs. Information should not be copied and used inappropriately. Comments should be posted in a manner that is non defensive, educational, and in good taste.

Some think that students become vulnerable when they post their writings publicly. Agreeing and disagreeing with a posting can turn into a heated debate or discussion on topics such as religion, sex, or politics. Teacher and parents can't always control the offensive or disturbing language that is being used.

Even though there are some things that need to be taken into consideration when blogging, I think its a great tool. I personally would use blogging to communicate with parents, teachers , and colleagues.

I think it is very important to have an open line of communication with parents. Instead of having to make 120 phone calls, a teacher can easily post information an a blog. I would post things such as upcoming events, areas of study, helpful websites, and assignments. I would encourage parents to past any questions or concerns that they may have about an assignment or their child's progress.

Our school district has incorporated a collaborative planning period into our schedule. During this time each department meets as a group to plan and discuss student progress. We often wonder what other schools and districts are doing to be successful. I would use the blogs as a means of getting ideas and strategies from educators all over. I am a strong believer that teacher should learn from one another and blogging will be a great way to do that.

So often administrators get busy with meetings and the daily runnings of the school, that the staff's needs and wants go unheard. There has also been times that staff members in the same building don't get a chance to interact through out the week. I think blogging will be perfect way share what's going on in the school. There has been instances when things have happened and teachers didn't find out about it until 6:00 news.

This course on technology was very helpful. I can honestly say that there isn't anything I would change about the class. Granted I complained about the work load and the intensity of the assignments, but they were worth their weight in gold. I appreciated the fact that we were not tested over the readings and lectures in multiple choice format. I am delighted to know the reason we complete STaR charts every year. I never heard of the Long Range Plan for technology before taking this course. It's good to know that there is something in place to enhance or schools and prepare our students to become learners of the 21st century.

Texas Star Chart

Texas Star Chart

Infrastructure for Technology

The Texas Long Range Plan for Technology is divided into four key areas that are very critical for the success of our students in the technology arena, Teaching and Learning, Education Preparation and Development, Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support, and Infrastructure for Technology. Although I believe that there should be emphasis placed on each one of these areas, I believe the most time and effort should be devoted to Infrastructure for Technology.

Infrastructure for Technology is the foundation of the educational technology platform. Infrastructure ensures that students and teachers have direct connectivity, that classrooms are fully equipped with technology, along with technical support. Students and teachers should not share computers and there should be a certain ratio of students per computer. Web based learning should be evident in classrooms and supplied with voice, data, and video enhanced technology.

However, this is not happening in most of our schools in Texas. Many classrooms only have on computer and often times that computer is shared by students and teacher. Often times, the schools with computers have slow or stalled Internet connections. Due to lack of funds in certain districts, schools are not provided with televisions, dvd players, cameras, or computers. These things would surely enhance the learning experience but they are not being provided in many areas.

Per the STaR Chart, the schools in Texas have slowly been increasing in the last three years. In some school districts in Texas and even national have begun to make advances in this area by providing teachers and students laptops. However, this is not happening in every classroom across the country. Current trends in technology has really impacted the education circuit. Teachers are now using online grade books. Students and parents are now able to check grades and attendance online. In Dallas, we are now taking attendance on the computer. Without the proper equipment and connectivity we would not be able to do these things.

I would recommend that the administration, school leaders, and school board members do whatever it takes to get the things our students need to advance. They could write grants for money or equipment to be donated. School districts should partner with the makers and suppliers of technological devices and have programs set that are geared just of student's learning. It should be a requirement from state that every school has Internet capability and that every teacher in incorporating technology into their classroom weekly.

Pre-K Leading The Way

Students in Pre-K are not exempted from enhancing their learning through technology, they are expected to lead the way. The Pre-K Technology Applications TEKS, are designed for students to began to use software applications to be expressive and creative through technology. They are to use the software to create their own writings and drawings. Many of the software packages that the students will learn to use will enhance their learning through audio graphics and video. Before students leave pre-kindergarten they are expected to recognize that new information and learning is accessible through technology and various forms of software.

By the time students get into third, fifth, or even seventh grade, they should be expertise on the use of instructional software and the use of technology. The foundation was set for them in pre-k. The should recognize that there is knowledge and information that can be gained for the computer and other forms of technology.

The TEKS are designed like a construction of a house or building. If the TEKS are implemented appropriately in the Pre-K they are the foundation to all student learning. The TEKS for each cluster is designed to build on or extend the prior learning from the previous cluster. For example, in Pre-K the foundation is set that the computer can be a source for information as well as a source to create a new things, input and output. In the K-2 cluster the students are expected to use a variety of input devices such as the keyboard, mouse, and scanner. By the time the students reach the third grade, they are expected not only to identify but describe the characteristics of input, output, and processing. The 6-8 grade cluster requires the students to be a little bit more sophisticated in their learning, the are to compare, contrast, and use the various ways of inputting and outputting. This knowledge and expectation continues until the end of high school.

Long-Range Plan for Technology or Long Term Hope?

The Long-Range Plan for Technology seems to be a well thought out plan for the implementation of technology into our classrooms. Even though the plan is set into three phases that will extend until 2020, I find it hard to see how the plan will be successful. I wonder where are many of the school districts in Texas going to get the funding to prepare the teachers or to provide the students with the technology being discussed. The teachers in some districts don't even have a computer in their classroom, let alone every student having access to high speed connectivity.

However, I think that the plan should be implemented. I also believe that it will be very beneficial to our students, since technology drives our daily lives. As an instructional leader, I will be sure to learn and research the different types of technology that is out there and its uses and functions. I would share my learning with the students and teachers in my building. I would also plan engaging lessons that would allow the students to be responsible for their own learning. I think it would be imperative for me to know the TEKS and education standards regarding technology. I would be able to create school wide thematic units for study that are relevant and engaging to the students. The units should be data driven and researched based. As an instructional leader, I would try to see to it that teachers and classrooms are equipped with the necessary materials.

To Know or Not To Know

Taking the assessments was truly a learning moment for me. If someone would have asked me to rate my knowledge of technology from 1-5, I would have given myself a 4. However, after pondering the items on the Technology Application Inventory and the Teacher survey from SETDA, I know rate myself at 2.5.

According to the results of the Technology Applications survey, my strongest areas are in the foundations and problem solving domains. I am not surprised that I am proficient in the Foundations domain because I learned many things in that category in high school and college. Since then, I have repeatedly used different operating systems, keyboard functions, and used digital images in products and projects.

My knowledge in the solving problems did take me by surprise however. When I think of problem solving my mind automatically goes to troubleshooting. I am very weak in this area. But this section of the survey was more about planning, creating, and applying technological tools to produce a variety of documents.

I think both the Long-Range Plan for Technology and the Technology Applications TEKS are really good guidelines for educators to follow. They both coincide and outlines what should be done in schools as far as technology is concerned. The TEKS are a blueprint that a classroom teacher should follow to ensure that their students are getting the information and learning that standards that is required of them each school year. The Long-Range Plan is just that, a plan to help get classrooms where they need to be. I think it really details the vision, the roles of all the stakeholders, current situations, and the future goals to get the students ready for the 21st century in the educational institutions and at the workplace.

The survey form SETDA was an eye opening and thought provoking task to complete. I realized that my campus is far behind other campuses as far as technology is concerned. There is not much data being collected about the use of technology in our district because there is not much technology use available to our students. The equipment needed to teach my students how to produce power points, web pages, create spread sheets, and complete practice drills are just not readily available to them.

I am a person that learns by doing. I learned to create my own web page, well by creating one. Other things such as working with formulas on a spreadsheet, inserting tables, and cropping photographs, I learned mostly by trial and error. The downfall to this method is that I didn't learn the appropriate terminology or process to many functions.

As a classroom teacher, I would love to be able to show my students some other uses of technology besides typing a paper and updating their MySpace pages. The resources are just not available. I would like to pass the knowledge that I have on to my students. But I would also like to learn more things about other forms of technology use besides the computer. I need to become familiar with terminology, other forms of technology, and more uses to aid in the job of an educator in and out of the classroom.

Both the Long-Range Plan and the Technology Applications TEKS both conincide and detail what the use of technology should look like in the classroom. I believe both of them are good foundations. The TEKS are like a check list for the classroom teachers. They list everything a student should know before leaving that grade level. The Long-Range Plan gives a means and a roadmap on how to get the schools where they should be. It clearly states a vision, defines roles, gives a timeline, and identifies needs. I think with the two of them we can actually prepare learners to be better equipped for the future educational institutions and workplace.