The web conference this week was great. Professor Borel reviewed information we needed to know about completing the class. She provided detailed information about what will be expected during the program. For instance Appendix F of the handbook is what we use to submit our monthly reports to our wiki and when we complete an activity we complete Appendix G and upload it to our wiki.
Professor Borel went over the assignments due this week. On the Reflection paper she said we needed to write 150 words for each question. We needed to complete the Internship Plan (and get it signed) and the Principal Competencies Chart. Opportunity was given for us to ask specific questions and receive examples we could use on the Internship Plan and Principal Competencies.
The web conferences have been very informational. I hope we will use this technology in the rest of our classes because it provides a way for students to interact with each other and the professor.
Friday, August 12, 2011
EDLD 5306 Course Reflections
When I first started the class I thought it was going to be a class about how technology was defined and how it could be integrated in the classroom. I really did not know what to expect, but hoped it would allow me to integrate more technology in lessons for my students. As I was participating in the discussion groups I found myself reading every article to see if I had the same perspective that my classmates had of the quotes they used. In reading the articles I learned a lot about technology integration and web tools that are available.
It was amazing how much information was covered in this class and how much we learned during the five weeks. In thinking back over the class I found that I had been exposed to numerous web 2.0 tools – some of which I had heard of but never used and others I had never heard of. I was amazed by the amount of technology I learned in such a short time.
The outcomes of the course are definitely relevant to my work at school. The web 2.0 tools I learned can easily be integrated into the lessons for the students. I have already thought of ways to utilize them.
I can use blogs and wikis to improve collaboration between teachers on my grade level and parents. When we learned how to use ‘Wordle’ I immediately came up with a lesson plan where the students could be assessed using ‘Wordle’.
The web conferences were great. Not only did I learn about another tool to use (AdobeConnect) but the conferences were very informational. Professor Borel had a Powerpoint and went over information pertinent to the assignments we were doing at that time as well as ones we were going to do during the class. The chat feature was great.
While I learned a lot about making a video, wiki and blog, I feel I need to learn more about the intricacies of making them. There was not enough time to actually investigate all the features of blogs and wikis. Time was precious during this course.
I would like to further investigate RSS feeds and podcasts and study some ways to include them in my lessons. While I have been exposed to RSS feeds and podcasts through my husband I had never considered it as something I could use for my classroom. However, after reading the various articles and researching things on my own I think I can use them in my classroom.
After completing the class I feel I was successful in carrying out the course assignments. It was rather overwhelming the first two weeks. It has been a few years since I had to study, so I had to get back in the mode for studying. At first I intended to over think what was wanted for the assignments.
The APA style of writing was not familiar to me and I was not comfortable doing the citations. It seemed to take a lot of time to do the writing because I had to learn the new format and I would continually question whether it was correct. Hopefully as time goes on I will become more comfortable with the APA style.
I learned I am persistent and everything needs to be perfect. If I feel something is not perfect, I hold off submitting it until the last minute. When working on uploading the Powerpoint presentation I spent many hours to ensure it looked perfect. Finally I had to admit that I had done the best job I could and leave it as it was. I tended to over think what was expected from the assignments.
Improving my technology knowledge and skills is one area I would like to improve. Even though I am exposed to technology daily with my family, there are so many skills that I still need to learn. I found myself reading more information about technology in education where before I did not take the time to read it. This course was a great start to learning technology. While I still need to learn more about RSS feeds, podcasts, wikis, and blogs I feel I now have the knowledge to start integrating more technology.
Overall my experience in this class has opened my eyes to what technology is available. I am looking forward to the other classes in this program and learning more about the technology we touched on in this class.
It was amazing how much information was covered in this class and how much we learned during the five weeks. In thinking back over the class I found that I had been exposed to numerous web 2.0 tools – some of which I had heard of but never used and others I had never heard of. I was amazed by the amount of technology I learned in such a short time.
The outcomes of the course are definitely relevant to my work at school. The web 2.0 tools I learned can easily be integrated into the lessons for the students. I have already thought of ways to utilize them.
I can use blogs and wikis to improve collaboration between teachers on my grade level and parents. When we learned how to use ‘Wordle’ I immediately came up with a lesson plan where the students could be assessed using ‘Wordle’.
The web conferences were great. Not only did I learn about another tool to use (AdobeConnect) but the conferences were very informational. Professor Borel had a Powerpoint and went over information pertinent to the assignments we were doing at that time as well as ones we were going to do during the class. The chat feature was great.
While I learned a lot about making a video, wiki and blog, I feel I need to learn more about the intricacies of making them. There was not enough time to actually investigate all the features of blogs and wikis. Time was precious during this course.
I would like to further investigate RSS feeds and podcasts and study some ways to include them in my lessons. While I have been exposed to RSS feeds and podcasts through my husband I had never considered it as something I could use for my classroom. However, after reading the various articles and researching things on my own I think I can use them in my classroom.
After completing the class I feel I was successful in carrying out the course assignments. It was rather overwhelming the first two weeks. It has been a few years since I had to study, so I had to get back in the mode for studying. At first I intended to over think what was wanted for the assignments.
The APA style of writing was not familiar to me and I was not comfortable doing the citations. It seemed to take a lot of time to do the writing because I had to learn the new format and I would continually question whether it was correct. Hopefully as time goes on I will become more comfortable with the APA style.
I learned I am persistent and everything needs to be perfect. If I feel something is not perfect, I hold off submitting it until the last minute. When working on uploading the Powerpoint presentation I spent many hours to ensure it looked perfect. Finally I had to admit that I had done the best job I could and leave it as it was. I tended to over think what was expected from the assignments.
Improving my technology knowledge and skills is one area I would like to improve. Even though I am exposed to technology daily with my family, there are so many skills that I still need to learn. I found myself reading more information about technology in education where before I did not take the time to read it. This course was a great start to learning technology. While I still need to learn more about RSS feeds, podcasts, wikis, and blogs I feel I now have the knowledge to start integrating more technology.
Overall my experience in this class has opened my eyes to what technology is available. I am looking forward to the other classes in this program and learning more about the technology we touched on in this class.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Web Conference - 8/4/11 Reflection
The web conference on August 4th was awesome. Professor Borel explained how to complete the Internship Plan draft and the Principal Competencies Chart. It was overwhelming to think of writing the internship plan this week. However, after Professor Borel explained about ISTE and the Principal Competencies Chart, I feel better about getting started. I am still unsure what I will put in every area of the plan, but at least I have an idea of how to complete it. I asked a question about where a specific activity would be put and was able to get an answer immediately. This is a great way to talk with others and get feedback from others.
In addition to reminding us about the deadline to upload the internship application and Assignment 1, Part 1 to TK20, Professor Borel went over what is expected next week. I look forward to the web conference on Tuesday when we can ask questions about our internship plan draft.
In addition to reminding us about the deadline to upload the internship application and Assignment 1, Part 1 to TK20, Professor Borel went over what is expected next week. I look forward to the web conference on Tuesday when we can ask questions about our internship plan draft.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Web Conference Reflection - July 28, 2011
The web conference this week was very good. Professor Borel went over some information about the TK20 requirement, Internship handbook, and the class website.
I think the web conference is a great way for us to clarify the instructions on upcoming assignments and get answers to our questions. It is also good to be able to chat with others from the class. While reading the comments in the chat area, I realized I was not the only one feeling overwhelmed by the assignments. Earlier in the week I had asked myself if I could keep up with the assignments once school started. I had talked with Professor Borel about my concerns on Tuesday. After attending the web conference this week and talking with Professor Borel I believe I can complete the program.
I am looking forward to the web conference next week when Professor Borel said we would go over the Principals Competency Chart.
I think the web conference is a great way for us to clarify the instructions on upcoming assignments and get answers to our questions. It is also good to be able to chat with others from the class. While reading the comments in the chat area, I realized I was not the only one feeling overwhelmed by the assignments. Earlier in the week I had asked myself if I could keep up with the assignments once school started. I had talked with Professor Borel about my concerns on Tuesday. After attending the web conference this week and talking with Professor Borel I believe I can complete the program.
I am looking forward to the web conference next week when Professor Borel said we would go over the Principals Competency Chart.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Blog 3 - National Educational Technology Plan
According to the National Educational Technology Plan, “technology based learning and assessment systems will be pivotal in improving student learning and generating data that can be used continuously to improve the education system at all levels.” (U.S. Department of Education)
The National Educational Technology Plan lists five essential areas - learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure, and productivity. Each area has one goal listed with recommendations on how to achieve the goal. According to the plan the goals are:
- All learners will have engaging and empowering learning experiences both in and out of school that prepare them to be active, creative, and knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our globally networked society.
- Our education system at all levels will leverage the power of technology to measure what matters and use assessment data for continuous improvement.
- Professional educators will be supported individually and in teams by technology that connects them to data, content, resources, expertise, and learning experiences that enable and inspire more effective teaching for all learners.
- All students and educators will have access to a comprehensive infrastructure for learning when and where they need it.
- Our education system at all levels will redesign processes and structures to take advantage of the power of technology to improve learning outcomes while making more efficient use of time, money, and staff.
After reading the plan, I found it was well constructed. I liked the fact it addressed the “underserved”. For Professional Development the Plan suggests 24/7 access to online collaboration, learning communities, and interaction with parents and community members, but I wonder how this would work. As teachers we spend a lot of time preparing for our lessons now, so when would we be able to participate in the online communities and still have time for our families?
Resources:
Blog 2 - District Technology Plan
I think Mexia ISD’s technology plan is great. They have encompassed all four areas of the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology in setting up their plan.
Our district technology plan has four goals:
- Increase student learning and achievement through the seamless integration of technology into instruction in learning and teaching across the curriculum.
- Provide district-wide staff development programs to ensure effective use of emerging technologies with emphasis on instructional programs.
- Support the district-wide technology implementation and use through campus level planning, adequate staff and appropriate budgeting.
- Support instructional and administrative goals by providing and maintaining an adequate communication infrastructure, network connectivity, hardware, and software.
Strategies include maintaining subscriptions to software used by teachers, staff, and students; teachers incorporating more technology into their instruction; and students using technology to complete assignments. Other strategies include setting up a sub-committee of the Technology Committee to help with campus coordination and setting up an Adult continuing education program (GED) access to the lab as well as upgrading, replacing, or purchasing equipment to upgrade the infrastructure.
Professional development opportunities will include teachers completing the PD 21 courses, training teachers to create and use websites, and workshops.
The evaluation process will include the STaR Chart results to assess progress and a subcommittee of the Technology Committee evaluating the Plan four times a year. Some of the evaluation methods include monitoring of district web pages, staff members taking part in technology staff development, and yearly formal survey needs assessment of the staff regarding the technology in their classrooms.
Resources:
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