Technology Reflection
I took a class similar to this class during my training for my Masters in Administration. There were a few things that were considerably different. One of the things was creating the Wiki, and storing information on there. I was skeptical at first, but when I started it actually made sense. The hardest portion of this class was the time management. I am a High school basketball coach. It is so hard to come home from practice and work on some of the assignments. It was really hard making time and collaborating with other classmates. This is something I would like to improve on for my next class.
Everything that we are taking is relevant in the school setting. Students need to be prepared for a 21st century world. It is our duty to incorporate this into their training. I already use a wiki in my classroom. It allows my students to have access to files, documents, and newly updated materials. So making a wiki has come extremely easy to me. One of the best tools that I did learn in the class is the RSS feed. I heard about this before, but I wasn’t sure how it worked. It was great to have updated information flowing to my computer, without me wasting valuable time looking for the information.
The only thing I would have done better is manage my time, so that I would be able to collaborate with my classmates a little better. I am a high school basketball coach, so it was very difficult for me to find the time to work on my classwork, and respond to emails in a timely manner. I was able to finish all of my assignments on time, but I did make a couple of big mistakes that only added to my workload. Next time I will fully read the assignment, and do a better job of communicating.
I didn’t learn anything new about myself. I have already completed one master’s program, and I know that I am capable of completing another one. I am a “self starter”, and I finish all of my endeavors. So I know that I will complete this program with flying colors, because I wouldn’t expect anything else
Friday, December 17, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
National Educational Technology Plan
The Draft Plan urges our education system to transform American technology by implementing a “21st Century Model of Learning” that is powered by technology. The Draft Plan indicates that research and data shows that students learning in a technology-rich environment demonstrate gains in numerous academic areas, including standardized assessments. When collaborative online teaching occurs in our education system, we gain access to effective teaching of dedicated and extraordinary educators. With online learning systems, students, educators, and all Americans can become 21st Century experts.
The Draft Plan also outlines challenges that our education system faces. One of the challenges is implementing modern technology to create engaging, relevant, and personalized learning experiences for all Americans. Challenges facing America’s economic and financial growth hinders our ability to compete in a global economy. A lack of motivational professional development is also a hindrance to our current educational system. The Draft Plan demands that Infrastructures provide the necessary professional development for educators to become motivated 21st Century experts. It also identifies the challenge to improve our student achievement and provides evidence that technology can help us accomplish our goals.
The Draft Plan gave me many ideas on how I can assist my campus with effective implementation of Technology Application TEKS. I believe that improved learning outcomes and productivity will become apparent once my colleagues embrace a technology-rich classroom that extends past the four walls of our school. To improve our student achievement, students must have access to technology. By sharing our knowledge of technology, I know we can all become a community of learners that will revolutionize the World Wide Web and our global community.
The Draft Plan also outlines challenges that our education system faces. One of the challenges is implementing modern technology to create engaging, relevant, and personalized learning experiences for all Americans. Challenges facing America’s economic and financial growth hinders our ability to compete in a global economy. A lack of motivational professional development is also a hindrance to our current educational system. The Draft Plan demands that Infrastructures provide the necessary professional development for educators to become motivated 21st Century experts. It also identifies the challenge to improve our student achievement and provides evidence that technology can help us accomplish our goals.
The Draft Plan gave me many ideas on how I can assist my campus with effective implementation of Technology Application TEKS. I believe that improved learning outcomes and productivity will become apparent once my colleagues embrace a technology-rich classroom that extends past the four walls of our school. To improve our student achievement, students must have access to technology. By sharing our knowledge of technology, I know we can all become a community of learners that will revolutionize the World Wide Web and our global community.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Cypress Fairbanks Technology Plan
Cypress Fairbanks ISD’s technology plan outlines our goals to enhance classroom instruction, increase student achievement, and endorse College Career Readiness (CCR). Cypress Fairbanks ISD strives to build teachers', staff, and students' technology skills through the support and communication of the Technology Application TEKS. The district also believes that having the appropriate technology to meet the needs of our students and educators is critical. Therefore, they use various tools such as the “Texas Star Chart” to evaluate individual campus needs. They evaluate the data and allocate funds, equipment, and initiatives based on the needs of each campus. The district then provides hardware and software for instructional use in integration of Technology Application TEKS.
Designated initiatives allow teachers to attend professional development on how to develop technology-rich learning tasks at their grade level or in the subject that they teach. Upon completion of the training, teachers receive hardware and software for teacher and student use in their classroom. Our district uses the Technology Literacy Assessment (TLA) with all 5th grade students. The TLA is a district created technology literacy assessment. The TLA is an online test that assesses students’ mastery of the Technology Application TEKS. The data provides a holistic picture of the level of Technology Application TEKS mastery in the district’s elementary schools. The TLA determines necessary curriculum changes and professional development offerings at the elementary and middle school levels. In addition, educators may use the data to modify their instruction based on students' needs.
Designated initiatives allow teachers to attend professional development on how to develop technology-rich learning tasks at their grade level or in the subject that they teach. Upon completion of the training, teachers receive hardware and software for teacher and student use in their classroom. Our district uses the Technology Literacy Assessment (TLA) with all 5th grade students. The TLA is a district created technology literacy assessment. The TLA is an online test that assesses students’ mastery of the Technology Application TEKS. The data provides a holistic picture of the level of Technology Application TEKS mastery in the district’s elementary schools. The TLA determines necessary curriculum changes and professional development offerings at the elementary and middle school levels. In addition, educators may use the data to modify their instruction based on students' needs.
Technology Assessments
It is very beneficial to assess educator and student technology proficiency. The Texas Star Chart is a great tool for this purpose. The results will show the needs of the staff, and it will inform the administration on what programs need to be funded, so that the staff can be brought up to par. Professional development can also be determined by the results of the StaR Chart. It is important for teachers to have certain skill so that they can make informed decisions about how technology is used in their classrooms.
Sometimes technology gets pushed aside because of high stakes testing. Teachers feel rushed, so they do what the feel is in the best interest of the class. Teachers have to understand that we live in a world where students need to be proficient in technology use so that they can be college/career ready when they leave school. So it is important that we make sure that teachers and students are receiving adequate training on industry standard software.
The STaR Chart is a survey that gathers information on a couple of key Items. First, it checks teacher proficiency, by asking if teachers know the basics about using technology. Second, the survey inquires about student use of technology. The chart tries to determine if technology is being used by the teacher or the students. Then, the STar Chart inquires about the tools that teachers have available to them. It asks about the internet connection, the number of computers in the classroom, and the level of tech support available. Finally, it inquires about some of the training that is provided to the teachers. Overall, the STaR Chart is a great tool to determine the level of proficiency of Teachers, and Students.
Sometimes technology gets pushed aside because of high stakes testing. Teachers feel rushed, so they do what the feel is in the best interest of the class. Teachers have to understand that we live in a world where students need to be proficient in technology use so that they can be college/career ready when they leave school. So it is important that we make sure that teachers and students are receiving adequate training on industry standard software.
The STaR Chart is a survey that gathers information on a couple of key Items. First, it checks teacher proficiency, by asking if teachers know the basics about using technology. Second, the survey inquires about student use of technology. The chart tries to determine if technology is being used by the teacher or the students. Then, the STar Chart inquires about the tools that teachers have available to them. It asks about the internet connection, the number of computers in the classroom, and the level of tech support available. Finally, it inquires about some of the training that is provided to the teachers. Overall, the STaR Chart is a great tool to determine the level of proficiency of Teachers, and Students.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)