week 5 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?

I started this course thinking that I knew my way around computers. I was surprise to find out that I was really and immigrant and not a citizen of technology. I expected more detailed training on how to use basic micrsoft programs like excel, Microsoft word, PP and some publishing. As the course progressed I realized that I knew very little about the new trends in technology for example blogging, wikipedias and RSS feeds. The mentioned applications were news to me and I was not expecting them to be part of the course. As a result of the objective in the course I have started a movement towards becoming a citizen in technology

•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?

This course has proven to be very productive. I now have gained knowledge and the know how on the new technology trends and I have grown professionally. Learning how to blog and better yet to create my own blog could be implemented into my classroom activities and could benefit my students. The assignments thrugout the course have made me a better teacher in the class room and has definitely made me more marketable. I think that as a result my student will be exposed to blogging and I can prepare better lessons if I open up the blog for students to express the dislikes and like of the classroom organization and culture.

•What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them?
I invested time and effort throughout the course and I can honestly say that I am well ahead of technology trends as oppose to not have been enrolled in this course. I think that all my goals were met thanks to the organization of the content and mainly because of the support offered by my coach and professors. The webcast seminars also contributed to the ease of the course.


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

Distance learning has been a challenge for me, but I like it. I have 7 days to complete my assignments and I have completed all my assignments on time. Week four assignment was abit stressful due to the fact that I had to comment on two action plans. It was late Sunday night and I could not find action plans on the discussion board I was worried that I would not get full credit on the discussion part because I had not completed my comments on two other action plans because my classmates had not posted . All my other assigmants have been completed and because online learning has proven for me , I can plan and prepare for my assignments in a way that it does not interfer with my job and personal life.


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

I am an immigrant and I am slowly and effectively moving towards citizen status like Dr. Jenkins said in the round table discussion. I thought I knew technology but all I knew was to make a Microsoft document, make powerpoint presentations, surf the web and fix minor peripheral and hardware problems. I feel more confident about myself when discussing technology with a colleague. The knowledge I have gained for this course has made me a better leader for tomorrow. My skills have improve twofold. I know that the internet is a new venue for students, teachers administrators and parents. I like technology in the class room and have made it a part of my daily lesson cycle.


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

The 21st century learner is different type of learner that we grew up with. I feel that as educators we still have the upperhand over thise fast growing community. We chose the teaching fild because we want to contribute to our community by prepareing fine young members of our community. I believe that blogs and blogging will open up a new way of communication between students, parents teachers and administrators. We are no longer dependent on the telephone or a letter sent home where the two have proven to have faults because the letter does not make it home or the phone number is incorrect. I think tha blogging puts more responsibility on the other end ……the students and the parents to stay abreast of what is going on their student’s educational day.


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

Blogs and blogging that are not used for education can be meaningless and just another way to mud sling. I think that because bloggers do not have to reveal their real names this could pose a threat to the validity of the comments posted. I have read many blogs associated with our local news paper and to this date I have not read one that is positive. I do not take part in blogging because I do not feel confortable posting information that may offend an individual. I feel that we could regulate what is said and posted if bogs required you verify your identity somehow.


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


Bolgs and blogging has open up a new way to stay in-touch with the learning community. Communicating thru blogs is easier and faster than picking up the phone and dialing 150 different numbers to tell the parents of new policy or procedures in the classroom or in the school district. It would also save the school district money because you can reach many more parents on the blog instead of sending booklets and letters home to inform them of new changes. Having a district blog could benefit all the stakeholder and would make everyone accountable. I think that having a blog, more parents would get involve with their childs education because they could blog at their convenience

Action Plan Efrgar

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Action Plan Efrgar

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The Texas Campus S Ta R Chart

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The Texas Campus S Ta R Chart

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STaR Chart Analysis

Educator Preparation & Development in this section on the Texas Long Range Plan educators and leaders must stay up-to-date with the technology trends and changes. Professional development is a major part of this section. Veteran teachers and new teachers must be highly qualified and trained in technology. Classroom teachers must be well informed about new strategies and new trends in the technology world so that teachers can feel confident to apply them in their own classroom and make technology a part of their daily lessons. In the three years surveyed using the STAR chart our campus has improved. In 2006 – 2007 our campus was identified as a developing tech with an area total of 11 over the next two years improvement was noticed. In 2007 -2008 some improvement was noticed but not enough to get out of developing tech with an area score of 12. It was not until 2008 2009 that our campus demonstrated a big gain jumping to advance tech with an overall area score of 17. Compared to state summary we fall into the 19 percentile with only 1520 campuses scoring in the advance tech. Campuses that have demonstrated advance tech show that There is integration of technology into teaching and learning. There is use of online resources regularly. 60% of educators meet SBEC standards. Administrators recognize and identify exemplary use of technology. 25 -29% of technology budget allocated for professional development. The trend shows that we are moving towards target tech and I believe that with a year or two are campus will reach that status. I think that are district needs to allocate more funds for staff development and offer incentives for teachers that do meet all the requirements as outlined by the Texas Long Range Plan. If we want to prepared our students for the 21st century the teachers have to buy into preparing themselves first.

preK TEKS

The Texas Essential of knowledge and Skills for the Pre-K student is a set of objectives that introduces the students to the basic function and operations of computer software. The student must be able to use the different peripherals associated with the computer. The student must be able to operate software programs from start to finish, in addition: the student must learn how to use the mouse, keyboard, recorder and a touch screen. The student must also be introduced to the use of the mouse, keyboard and printer. Finally the student should be able to use an interactive software.
Ensuring that out pre K students have a strong foundation will be of great importance for the future to come. As the student advances in grade school it will be easier for the student to navigate and use computer applications. Scaffolding curriculum would allow student to become proficient and highly qualified in computer application by drilling the student year after year.

Long Range Plan

The Texas Long Range Plan has set in place a set of goals that need to be met to prepare our students for the 21st century in nation that is moving to be highly dependent on technology. These goals are vision, defining need for change, introducing the 21st century learner, teacher voices, teaching and learning, educator Preparation and Development, Leadership, Administration and Instructional, Support, infrastructural fro Technology, and Study needs. These goals by far are extremely important for the new age student. The long range plan must be in place so that our students are prepared and are among the highest qualified members of society.

The assessments

Assessing my strengths and weakness on technology showed me that I have room to grow but on the contrary it also shows that I am very well versed in the technology realm. The first assessment involves the four strands of technology as outline by the state, foundations, information acquisition, solving problems, and communications. After completing the assessment I can conclude based on the yes and no answers that I have a good foundation on technology from identifying the operating system that I am using, work with a network community, identifying the RAM to distinguishing different forms of storage. My knowledge on foundations as indicated by the assessment is good but can have to room to learn. On information acquisition the assessment shows that I am weak and can benefit from professional development in this area. In the area of problem solving for the assessment I can say this is the strand in which I display more knowledge than the other strands. The final strand, communication as identified by the assessment shows there is a need for improvement. Overall I think the assessment shows that I can use and implement technology.
The SEDTA survey assessment I filled out as a teacher shows that I am using technology in the classroom, that I use technology to communicate with my peers and it also shows that I do not use technology to communicate with parents. The survey also identified many areas that I am weak and that I am not doing. Overall the survey not only identified areas in which I am weak but it also help me identified areas that I am good at. Completing the survey made me aware that as leader we cannot neglect technology in our schools, like it or not we are becoming a nation

introduction

hi everyone welcome to leadership in progress