Reflections

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

At the beginning of the course I envisioned different ways to incorporate technology into the content of the classroom. I also wanted to strengthen my own technology skills. I thought we make look at the principal’s role in improving technology for the staff and students. The course did met those expectations and exceeded them. The data, resources and excercises provided me with a well-rounded look at technology challenges we face in Texas. It gave me guidelines, laws, and procedures at a state, district, and campus level. I think these are things that a principal and administrator needs to have knowledge of and would value. It is not necessary for an administrator to know it all, but to be able to locate the answer and provide timely feedback. I believe this course has helped me with those skills. Overall, I feel I learned a lot about technology and using it for educational purposes.

· 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 that the outcomes I achieved are very relevant to the work that I do in my current school assinment as a fourth grade teacher. Every year I have filled out a Texas STaR Chart, but I did not realize how important it was to our state and federal standards as well as funding. As an educator I am faced with many challenges on a daily basis, one of which is integrating technology into education and using it wisely. Not only do I have to prepare my students academically, I have to make sure they prosess the ability to tackle challenges they will face to reach the work force. Technology is what will set them apart. Our students are technology citizens and I know I need to make sure I am leading fellow teachers to move from technology immigrants to citizenship. Also, I have learned a great deal about how important an administrator is in the implementation of technology. I believe the goal for me now and as an administrator is to be a lifelong learner in technology and aspire others to do the same.

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

For me personally there just needs to be more time. Technology offers so much, it just seems that there is not enough time to look at all of it and absorb it. As educators we are expected to adopt new skill and integrate technology into our practices, yet we are not provided the time to fully welcome it. Technology comes easy to me yet I am still reluctant to implement the new technology we are learning this year on my campus because I do not have enough time to sit down and explore it. With technology there is always more to learn, include, and add to the classroom and it is frustrating at times not to be able to have the time to do the first thing we learned about. The only other thing that prevents me from achieving my goals is I often find myself being blocked at school from completing tasks that would be beneficial for the students. It would be helpful if my school and other schools changed their accepatable use policy. Blocking so many sites can be very frustrating when trying to integrate lessons into your content area. Finally, I would say that sometimes technology does not work. While I am a good trouble shooter this sometimes prevents me from trying a certain thing especially if I have had repeated issues with a particualar piece of technology.

· Were you successful in carrying out the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you?

One thing that was frustrating was the web conferencing. I was able to get on the first one but their where too many people on, it was heard to follow the discussion, and we were not given instructions prior to the conferencing. I feel like this would have been a useful tool to be able to actually meet with professors and have questions answered but it was extremely confusing getting conflicting information. I would like to see this implemented with smaller groups. However, I could see the benefit of using this in the classroom and possible with parents. I would just need to practice a lot more and become proficient so I could help parents troubleshoot issues. Also, the amount of articles we were suppose to respond to and discuss with fellow classmates was too much. I feel like we were not really able to utilize the last word protocal because there were too many articles and the discussion board was so busy it was hard to follow. I think to actually get more in depth discussion the number of articles should be limited. I feel I would have gotten more out of it that way.

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

During this course, I learned that I already know a lot about the types of technology that can be used in the classroom. I feel that my background knowledge of blogs and social networking helped me to better understand the course material. I try to incorporate technology into my classroom and I am not afraid to use technology. I feel I am a good trouble shooter in regards to technology. Many colleagues come to me and ask me to fix a problem. I am not afraid to go in and play with the program or computer to get the results I want. I love technology and find I use it relatively easy. The course offered some helpful suggestions and tools that I can use to help become a technology leader on my campus. I know when I become an administrator I will be able to lead my team of teachers in developing and shared vision and incorporating technology into the classroom.

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

The 21st Century learner is well versed in technology. They are able to communicate and collaborate with others near and far. These students already utilize social networking sites such as My Space and Facebook. These are a form of blogging because they are posting information about themselves. Turning this loved habit into an educational lesson is taking what the student already does and integrating it into an educational setting and content they are learning. Blogs are a way for students to share information and collaborate on that information. This allows for students to learn much more than they could from one teacher. This also allows students to read and have to decide what is relevant to them. This is an important skill that must be developed in students and blogging is a wonderful place to start this development. This is also, a good place for students to get and receive feedback on their work. Student are able to get responses from their posts that require them to develop critical thinking skills. Sometimes requiring the student to evaluate their own response. This creates an ongoing lesson that could continue long after the teacher is finished teaching the content. Being able to work and collaborate with people across the world is also something that a blog enables. This will help students in the competitive job market in their future.


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

I know that privacy is a concern with blogs and blogging in education. I run a classroom blog and I know this has been an issue for me. I have had to send home permission slips for the students so that the parents are aware of the blogging that is going on in the classroom. For example, we are able to post a student photo but not a student name that goes with that photo. If we share student work we are able to post first names but not the last names of the student. Some parents have also denied the option of student photos. I have to be very careful when working on my blog. Also, there can be concerns about who is following your blog and what comments are being made on it. Even if a school run site for blogs this could be a place for students to inappropriate with one another. Sadly, there most be monitor of the sites.

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

One was is to keep stakeholders informed. For example, I use blogging to let my parents in on what we are doing in the classroom. I post my blog site in a paper newsletter that I send home with the students. I remind the parents to go and check out what we are doing in the classroom. This allows them to see into my classroom and be informed of little bits of things we are doing. Sadly, I have yet to have parents or even students set up a blog and start following mine. I would like to see that happen. It is also a good place to collect feedback on an idea or policy change. I know that my district’s superintendent has a blog where she offers advice to parents and parents are welcome to respond. She also illicits feedback on proposed policy changes that may be taking place. She responds to parents and teachers comments that are posted on the blog. This is a very nonthreatening way to get feedback from stakeholders. I believe by doing this she is able to get some buy in and support for policy changes of the district as well.

Action Plan

Based on the data collected from interviews and analysis of campus data the first thing I would need to do is meet with the staff presenting campus Star Chart Data. I will utilize the power point created to present to the campus the strengths and weaknesses identified from this data. I will also educate my campus on the purpose of the Star Chart and present Texas Long Range Plan. I feel many on my campus have not even heard of this plan nor are they aware of the goals that are established within it.

I will also have a staff development to introduce my teachers to the Project Tomorrow Program. I will educate them on the findings and encourage teachers and students to participate in the program in order to establish benchmark data for our campus.

I will allow my campus to meet in grade levels to discuss the top three goals and needs that they see are hindering them from integrating technology into the classroom. Based on this data, I will design professional development that will be ongoing throughout the year to meet those needs. The technology facilitator will be available to implement these staff developments during each teacher’s planning periods.

To aid in the professional development I will assign teachers a mentor. Mentor teachers will have strong skills in the area of technology. They will be able to help collaborate with their assigned teachers in implementing technology in the classroom.

I will also have the technology facilitator sign up with teachers to come and model a content-based lesson that integrates technology in the classroom.

To ensure the teachers are getting the support they need from the professional development I will be providing, I will set up WIKI for the basis of online discussion and troubleshooting for my campus. This will be an area where the teachers can post a question and the Campus Technology Education Contact, facilitator, and fellow teachers will be available to answer and assist teachers throughout the year.



My first assessment will be gathered by walk through data. I will be looking for the technologies we will be learning to be occurring in the classroom. I will compile this data monthly and give feedback to the teachers on how we are progressing throughout the year.

I will also be utilizing a Technology Showcase during the month of May. This will be open for teachers and parents to view the technology that has occurred throughout the year on our campus. I will know if we have done a good job on implementation based on the number of teachers and students that participate in this. I will be looking for 80% participation from the classrooms.

My next form of assessment will be through an online survey that I gather from my teachers and students at this campus. I will be sending this out the last six weeks of school. I will be looking for an 80% response from my staff and students.

I will also be looking at assessment from the Star Chart Data. I will be looking for the campus to improve on the areas that we showed needed improvement.

Finally, I will gather the Project Tomorrow data to use as a benchmark for this years technology goal.

Texas Star Chart Opinion

The Texas Star chart is divided into four areas. One of those areas is Teaching and Learning. The area of teaching and learning is further divided into Patterns of Classroom use, Frequency/Design of Instructional Setting Using Digital Content, Content Area Connections, Technology Applications TEKS Implementation, Student Mastery of Technology Applications, and Online Learning.



Locally my campus is in the stage of Developing Tech in this area. This means we have regular access to computers at least once a week, students are able to utilize technology applications, most teachers utilize technology to support learning, teachers are aware of the TEKS and 25% to 50% of the students have mastered the TEKS.



Statewide 70% of the campus fall in the developing stage in this area. This shows that a majority of the state needs to improve in this area. According to Texas's Long Range Plan we are striving for a Target Tech. Only .9% of schools are in the desired target area. Although we fall in the norm nationally in this area, we still have a long way to go to reach the target by 2020.



To increase in this area I believe we can increase professional development. This will give teachers ideas that they can utilize in the classroom. I believe that teachers lack the time to directly teach technology TEKS. Giving teachers an opportunity and time to plan in this area will help teachers colloborate and implement teaching strategies that will move students to the target mastery. Also, having a technology showcase each year will ensure that teachers are utilizing and implementing technology in the classroom. This will also help inform parents and get community involvement in the teaching and learning of technology. Having the accountability to produce products will give a measurable assessment of what students are mastering as well.

Star Chart Power Point

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Pre-K Technology Applications TEKS

Beginning as early as Pre-K students begin to cover the basic functions of computers. They are expected to be able to identify the basic computer parts and are able to use appropriate software programs. This lays the foundation for the technology TEKS that will be introduced in higher grades.

For example, On K-2 level students are expected to use a keyword search. By grades 3-5 students are expected to apply Boolean search strategies. Grades 6-8 searches expand to include other software, and by high school students are expected to use all available and appropriate electronic resources for searching.

The technology builds upon each other as the student becomes more proficient at each grade level. The spiral begins small and grows giving the students multiple opportunities to master their skills.

Long Range Plan for Technology Reflection

I was shocked at how ambitious this plan is and how far we have to go to reach the goals outlined in this plan. I really had no idea that Texas had a long range plan for technology. I think many teachers are unaware of the goals established for Texas in the area of technology as well. I now have an idea of the direction Texas is headed. Considering where we currently are it amazes me that students will eventually have 24/7 access. Our schools C-Tech even stated that for that to happen a city wide infrastructure would have to be established. It truely is amazing when you ponder what that would be like and how it would effect my job as an educator.

This sort of plan will have a huge effect on me as an instructional leader. I know I need to continue with my professional development endeavors as well as encourage my colleagues to learn more in the field of technology. An instructional leader needs to be able to model and create the vision of technology that others can follow. I will have to learn a lot more in order to do that. I will also strive to integrate technology in my classroom as much as possible to begin meeting the needs of the 21st Century learner.

Reflections on Technology Assessments

Based on the Technology Applications Inventory, I feel I have a strong foundational knowledge of technology. Information Acquisition was another strong area for me. I did agree with this assessment. I am able to do many things in technology and try to implement as much in my classroom as I can. A run a class blog to promote writing and last year we did a book reports in podcast format. The one area I could work on is communication. I think I have a strong working knowledge in this area but little time to implement and put these strategies to use therefore my answers on this assessment were "no". Also, I could use some additional training with databases. I have worked with databases some but my knowledge is limited.

Upon completing the SETDA survey, I feel our campus has a long way to go before we have successfully incorporated 21st century skills. We, however, are working toward that. We have this year implemented campus training sessions to incorporate and integrate technology in the classroom. We also have a campus technology representative available that can come to our classrooms and teach lessons on technology integrating a subject area. I am not aware of any tracking that we do on technology or how my campus tracks technology growth other than the STAR chart. This is an area I would like to explore further.

I feel I am a forerunner on technology at my campus. I am the grade level technology representative. Often, I am sought out to help troubleshoot technology issues. I believe this is the case partly because technology does not scare me and partly because I am just tenacious. I believe as an administrator I could be a good technology leader because of these qualities.