Attached you will find my technology plan for review. This technology plan was built as a part of my EDLD 5352 Lamar Course - Instructional Leadership: Technology. I would love to hear what you think of it.
Technology Plan - EDLD 5352
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
My experiences with Web Conferencing...the Pros and Cons
I attended a web conference on Monday January 30, 2012 at 7:30pm. I was joined by 24 of my classmates, 2 of the course professors, and a technology consultant. I logged into the conference around 7:20pm. This conference was not unlike any other conference I have attended so far as it began with a multitude of people asking various unrelated questions. Quickly the conference turned to focus on TK20 since the technology consultant was available. These types of questions are not uncommon, in my experience, but I believe them to be more heightened on this night because of the expertise of the technology consultant.
While I do find the conferences helpful, it is frustrating that they don’t seem to have much structure and enviably the conversation turns to TK20. It is frustrating to me for two reasons; 1) I understand everyone’s panic to get everything done as most of us who were in this conference are nearing the end of our program; and 2) If there are this many questions regarding TK20, a year after its introduction, I don’t feel that the university has done a thorough job informing and training people on the use of this program. I know that they university feels that they have, but the evidence suggests otherwise. In previous web conferences many of the students have made suggestions on things that they think would help them learn this program better but none of these suggestions have been heeded.
I have to say that it was also a little frustrating that the web conferences for this course were limited to 30 participants. I usually attend weekly yet I feel that since I got in my one time that I should leave space for others to make sure that we all have a chance to attend a conference. That being said, in previous conferences the software used has lagged because it could not keep up with the demands of all the participants. In that way it was helpful to have a limited number of participants. I did not feel that we were overwhelming the system and I was able to more actively participate. I just wish that I felt comfortable attending other conferences during this course without taking a seat that someone else might need.
While I do find the conferences helpful, it is frustrating that they don’t seem to have much structure and enviably the conversation turns to TK20. It is frustrating to me for two reasons; 1) I understand everyone’s panic to get everything done as most of us who were in this conference are nearing the end of our program; and 2) If there are this many questions regarding TK20, a year after its introduction, I don’t feel that the university has done a thorough job informing and training people on the use of this program. I know that they university feels that they have, but the evidence suggests otherwise. In previous web conferences many of the students have made suggestions on things that they think would help them learn this program better but none of these suggestions have been heeded.
I have to say that it was also a little frustrating that the web conferences for this course were limited to 30 participants. I usually attend weekly yet I feel that since I got in my one time that I should leave space for others to make sure that we all have a chance to attend a conference. That being said, in previous conferences the software used has lagged because it could not keep up with the demands of all the participants. In that way it was helpful to have a limited number of participants. I did not feel that we were overwhelming the system and I was able to more actively participate. I just wish that I felt comfortable attending other conferences during this course without taking a seat that someone else might need.
School Technology Presentation
Attached you will find a PowerPoint presentation on the trends found on my campus as it relates to technology use and our quest to help our students leap into the 21st Century. I hope that you find it enjoyable and informational.
Here is a link too to view the presentation as well.
Texas Campus STaR Chart Presentation
View more presentations from ashleyduran2.
Here is a link too to view the presentation as well.
Why am I scared of a little thing called a computer?
On my campus you might see smart boards going unused, elmo’s gathering dust, and projectors that have to be locked up every night, yet every time you pass a teacher they have a laptop in their hand. I have to ask myself, why are the teacher’s using the schools technology but the students are not? Lessons might consist of a PowerPoint to display the typical lecture style classroom and students seated in rows. On a good day teachers might throw in a few websites to demonstrate a point.
When I look at this picture with a closer eye I am lead to question whether these teachers have just not had enough of the right kind of training. The lessons are still teacher driven with a sparse few teachers really get the kids onto the equipment, engaging their brain, and using their hands.
Three years ago my campus classified itself as Advanced Technology on the Texas Campus STaR Chart, yet today we have dropped to developing in this category. We have fallen off of the band wagon so to speak. When the technology is new, it is novel and we as teachers want to play with it. The result is an infection into the hands of the kids, for a short while. Then we realize we are not as good at it as the kids are and like almost all teachers, we don’t want to feel like we are losing control of our classroom because our kids are smarter than us in something. So we put the technology away in a cupboard so “the kids won’t steal it,” and we forget about maintaining or bettering our skills with this new technology. Meanwhile, the technology continues to increase and we are yet more afraid of it. A few teachers continue to try to use it, mostly out of the idea…”If you can’t beat them join them.” The kids run rampant with cell phones and some teachers say, “Fine, use them then, but use them for something educational. Here, text in your response to this poll question.”
But what about the other dusty elmo’s, projectors, laptops, smartboards, and even iPads? What happens to those?
There is some truth to the saying, “if you can’t beat them join them.” National trends are moving toward a generation of students who have technology attached to them like an arm or a leg. They don’t know how to function without it. Why do we as school continue to behave in an archaic manner? I think that we are scared! But what is wrong with getting schooled by some students? Becoming head learners instead of teachers? I’ll admit that I am just as scared as the rest of them but I am working hard to learn something new from my students just as often as they learn something new from me.
What do I need to do in order to dust off the technology that I have and begin to beg for more? More training, more preparation, more professional development, more trust and encouragement by administration, and more grace to let things slip out of my control just a little bit.
When I look at this picture with a closer eye I am lead to question whether these teachers have just not had enough of the right kind of training. The lessons are still teacher driven with a sparse few teachers really get the kids onto the equipment, engaging their brain, and using their hands.
Three years ago my campus classified itself as Advanced Technology on the Texas Campus STaR Chart, yet today we have dropped to developing in this category. We have fallen off of the band wagon so to speak. When the technology is new, it is novel and we as teachers want to play with it. The result is an infection into the hands of the kids, for a short while. Then we realize we are not as good at it as the kids are and like almost all teachers, we don’t want to feel like we are losing control of our classroom because our kids are smarter than us in something. So we put the technology away in a cupboard so “the kids won’t steal it,” and we forget about maintaining or bettering our skills with this new technology. Meanwhile, the technology continues to increase and we are yet more afraid of it. A few teachers continue to try to use it, mostly out of the idea…”If you can’t beat them join them.” The kids run rampant with cell phones and some teachers say, “Fine, use them then, but use them for something educational. Here, text in your response to this poll question.”
But what about the other dusty elmo’s, projectors, laptops, smartboards, and even iPads? What happens to those?
There is some truth to the saying, “if you can’t beat them join them.” National trends are moving toward a generation of students who have technology attached to them like an arm or a leg. They don’t know how to function without it. Why do we as school continue to behave in an archaic manner? I think that we are scared! But what is wrong with getting schooled by some students? Becoming head learners instead of teachers? I’ll admit that I am just as scared as the rest of them but I am working hard to learn something new from my students just as often as they learn something new from me.
What do I need to do in order to dust off the technology that I have and begin to beg for more? More training, more preparation, more professional development, more trust and encouragement by administration, and more grace to let things slip out of my control just a little bit.
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