I had no envisioned outcomes when starting this course because I’ve had courses similar to this in the past. I will say that the readings, videos and websites viewed in this course are still relevant to what is going on in my district today. I know that I, and my colleagues, need to stay current with technology so that we all benefit from the convenience and accessibility of technology use and teach our students the same. We are role models whether we “signed up for it” or not, whether it’s “in our job description” or not. We have to be happy, professional, respectful, enthusiastic and loving. We cannot expect those things from our students if we don’t lead them by example to be that way. Students demand more of us. They want relevance, quick delivery, organization and a way to retain information needed without repetitive busy work. They want hands on learning. It is time for us to step up to the plate and provide an education for our students that will help them in college, jobs, careers, etc.. Our work and how well our students learn must be evaluated. As an educator our main job seems to be evaluate/update. We are ongoing learners, evaluators, thinkers and role models. We teach our kids about how to be safe and protect themselves when it comes to drugs, sex & driving. Now, we need to teach them how to Internet responsibly.
It has been reiterated through the readings that we sometimes forget that teens are still kids that need guidance in every aspect in their lives, including what they do with technology (internet use, blogs, forums, etc.). They still need us to teach them and be role models for them and there are some really sick people out there that are ready to pick up where we are lacking and take advantage of children that are impressionable. We, as educators and/or parents have to stay up with technology and stay current with what and how our kids learn.
I was successful in carrying out my assignments for the most part. I was just frustrated in the beginning with all of the updates, changes and emails along with the numbers of readings & posts. I would like for things to be organized from the beginning so I can get started & go full steam ahead with getting the assigned work completed without speed bumps.
We are facing new technology & new options, but are still not caught up with 2003 in 2009 when it comes to wireless in the classroom. I have several students that do not have computers at home and my classroom is the only room that they use more than Word in. To allow them an opportunity to venture outside of their box, we need to provide them the opportunity somehow.
In our department at our school, we have blogs, podcasts and presentations that we share to collaborate and provide new lesson plans for our students. With a department of technology savvy people, it can get kind of crazy sometimes though. There are so many helpful technology tools that can be used that so many of my fellow colleagues have no idea of. We are faced with so many choices and a lot of people end up taking more time choosing the wrong one.
Also, in our department we make our own lessons. These are step-by-step Power Points to follow so the students can complete their work. The district buys books that we never use, but the lessons that we do use, we don’t get any compensation or credit for.
I have learned that the Long-Range Plan states that students can expect higher performance and deeper engagement. Parents can expect to participate more directly in their children’s education and improve their own knowledge. There will be a better collaboration between school, home, and community, with the goal being to empower young citizens to live and learn in a continuously changing environment and to enable this citizenry to effectively interact in a global marketplace. It also states that students require skills that allow them to communicate in a technology-enriched society and need technical as well as traditional reading and writing skills, and analytical skills for accessing and applying information and that the diverse situations that the students come from require that we do not teach a one-sized-fits-all teaching style. Administrators must envision, fund, and assess the use of technology in schools and utilize a robust technology plan that provides effective and efficient technology implementation for students, faculty, administrative and community use and teaching and learning are both impacted through the use of educational technology and classroom experiences are dependent on an educator taking the initiative to increase personal learning. It concludes that The Educational Technology Advisory Committee has identified the immediate issues that need to be addressed such as a dependable funding model, leadership and support in the area of educational technology to districts, continuation of telecommunications discounts and established software interoperability standards.
The Technology Applications TEKS state that the student is to use appropriate computer-based productivity tools to create and modify solutions to problems and uses research skills and electronic communication, with appropriate supervision, to create new knowledge. I have students that range from intro computer users to computer experts and to cater to all, I pair them up to help each other and get my experts to make new lessons and teach the lesson to the class. Instead of getting frustrated, I get creative and provide hands on, real world learning.
I learned that in the Texas StaR Chart, leadership, administration and instructional support communication & collaboration was the greatest strength all three years for my school. I agree with this. Our school administration really tries hard for the kids and for our teachers. Also, currently, according to the StaR Chart, our campus falls short in the area of teaching and learning with technology with core teachers. Our campus needs to do a better job of developing and maintaining technology use and teaching these tools to the teachers that are used to the old ways of teaching. In the category of Infrastructure for Technology distance learning capacity, we had our greatest weakness all three years observed. In our district, we have access for collaboration between school, home, and community, with the goal being to empower young citizens to live and learn in a continuously changing environment and to enable this citizenry to effectively interact in a global marketplace, but we need to step up more opportunities for teachers and students through use of blogs, distance education and better organized online staff development.
In Technology Education at Naaman our students gain knowledge and skills in the application, design, production, and assessment of products, services, and systems. According to the students, the opportunity that they have in technology allows students to reinforce, apply, and transfer their academic knowledge and skills to a variety of activities, problems and settings. Students gain an understanding of career opportunities available in technology and what employers require workers to gain and maintain employment. Students get a chanced to learn Bio-related technology, Computer applications, Construction, Energy, power, and transportation, Communication Graphics, Manufacturing and several other technology related areas in core and elective subjects. The Technology Student Association (TSA), the student organization for students enrolled in Technology Education, is an avenue by which leadership, citizenship and technical skills are provided as an integral part of the instructional program and is offered at Naaman.
Our administrators are aware that they must envision, fund, and assess the use of technology in schools & utilize a robust technology plan that provides effective and efficient technology implementation for students, faculty, administrative and community use & teaching and learning are both impacted through the use of educational technology & classroom experiences are dependent on an educator taking the initiative to increase personal learning. The administrators and students agree that the plan for students should and will be for them to use technology on a daily basis knowing they will be prepared to thrive in a global workforce through engagement in academic, real world endeavors through the use of 24/7 technology. In our department, our educators are able to develop new learning environments that will use technology flexibly in the classroom and incorporates interactive and customized lessons. Our administrators implement and develop a budget funds this.
Our campus needs to do a better job of developing and maintaining technology use and teaching these tools to the teachers that are used to the old ways of teaching. Our school administration really tries hard for the kids and for our teachers. We just need to focus on getting everyone up to speed and utilizing tools that will help our students succeed. The State Plan for Career and Technical Education is based on the premise that a rigorous academic foundation contributes to success, that all students should be provided equal opportunities to succeed, and Career & Technical Education should complement and enhance academic preparation by enabling students to apply academic principles and technology skills to a variety of career situations. Our goal as educators is to offer students skill development that meets industry standards and leads to an industry certification when possible along with dual and Technology Prep credits are available.
I learned through research in this course that the Executive Administrator of Technology is ultimately responsible for implementing technology throughout the district but is supported directly by the Superintendent's Cabinet. This committee considers tactical planning issues such as detail scope, schedule, budget, and precedence, of slated technology implementation projects The Superintendent's Cabinet also directs the Executive Administrator of Technology to survey the district to gather the instructional technological needs of t he students and teachers for the future. An Executive Administrator of Technology, reporting to the Assistant Superintendent for the Division of Business Operations, heads the Technology department. This department, employing approximately 136 staff members, includes an Educational Technology Group and an Information Technology Group, each headed by a Project Director. Community Partnerships include a variety of programs such as Business Education Scholastic Team (BEST) – a partnership between the district and local businesses, which offers mentoring. Campus Improvement Teams – community members, along with teachers, administrators, and parents, work to develop unique plans to increase academic achievement and to improve the school environment. Community Education – the district offers classes ranging from water safety to swing dancing to technology-skill development. School-to-Careers Initiative – a partnership between the district and local business and industries to ensure that students are able to explore a variety of career options.
In the round table interviews Dr. Abernathy stated that we as administrators need to be aware of the technology tools and that it is important for the Leadership program to offer a technology course to introduce these tools. Cindy Cummings stated that we need to provide different levels of what needs to be taught in professional development just as we do in the classroom with the students. Dr. Abernaty stated that “when we are visionary, we think differently”. We have many means to collaborate and use technology to be the village that our children need. Blogging is one of these means. We have to utilize at least simply what the kids have on their phones. There is automatic Q&A, research and collaboration at their fingertips and we need to offer this in our schools.
Throughout the readings we learned of all the dangers out there facing our children in the world of technology. There are predators, placing things or saying things online that should not be said and can come back to you. Our kids need to be taught safety and responsibility for all Internet use, including, online forums, blogging, legal use policies for copyrights, etc..
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