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.