For this course I saw myself becoming a bit more familiar with technology and the role that it plays in the world of education. I actually did achieve this goal to some extent because I learned a great deal about how technology operates in a school district and the responsibilities that come with the implementation of technology. The course outcomes were very much in alignment with what I envisioned at the beginning of the course although I would not say that I am 100% in possession of full knowledge of all the policies.
As a leader in my school I see myself educating the staff about the dangers of certain technology if not used properly. I think I would need all my staff to pick one area of technology that they use or that they feel they need some improvement in and then we can work on them attending some training in that area.The most important things I would need to work on are the restrictions and guides that we need with regards to copyright so that we do not abuse those laws.
The outcomes that I achieved are relevant to the work I do at school in some ways but not in others. We are a campus that operates on about a 75% online curriculum, which is supplemented with the other 25% of student work coming as papers from the regular campus. As a result of this I think we need to have more hardware and software available to fully support our students so that they can be successful during their stay with us. Having access to the same technology that they use on the regular campus will also keep them on a steady pace so that when they go back to the regular campus they will not be lagging behind their classmates.
Some of the areas that were not really relevant to the work that I do involved the use of things like blogs for publishing student work. While it might work for me as an administrator, I think that the staff that I work with currently see wikis and blogs as yet another chore that they will have to deal with. The online curriculum that my students currently use only allows them to create essays within the software and it is submitted to teachers for grading. There is no allowance for copying the work and publishing to a blog as the copy function has also been disabled from the program, to prevent students cheating.
I think that one area where I was not very successful is in understanding how the district owns the work of a teacher's brain if the teacher creates something that was not created for the express use by the district. I think I have a big issue with the fact that I may create something that the district can use without my permission and without giving me credit for that item. I do understand that this is the way the law operates but I think it also explains why some people are so reluctant to share any ideas that they have.
Another thing I am disappointed in was the fact that I am seeing so much that is missing at my district. The very first area is the fact that because we are a spillover campus we are not classified as an entity. I filled out the STaR Chart in my first year of teaching but could not fil one out in my second year, which skews the results of the campus and my personal growth chart as well. I think that I should be able to map my progress towards the goals set out in the Texas technology plan and not be excluded because of the nature of the school environment that I am in.
I was successful in carrying out the course assignments every week because I think I had a good plan of action each week. The one thing that really hindered my progress at times was the fact that I had to jump all over the place and use information from other campuses because my campus does not have its own information. It was very frustrating to have to use and analyze other information because I could not directly relate to it as it involved students who I had no idea about.
Another assignment that I was not able to carry out was the web conferences, which were not mandatory. The course required a webcam and microphone which I do not have and being on a tight budget it was really not feasible for me to just run out and buy one like another student suggested. I think that this was a case where it was assumed that everyone has the same access to technology that everyone else does and this is not the case.
This course served to reaffirm the fact that I am very interested in technology and its applications in education and life in general. My first degree is in information systems and I have always been interested in the way that technology can improve our lives. Just by using a power point presentation in class we are able to hold students' attention a little bit longer and this is so much better for education purposes. Students who have problems with reading can listen to a book on tape and this helps them to be successful on their own so they are not embarrassed by having to constantly ask someone how to pronounce a word.
I think that as a leader on my campus I would try my hardest to get everyone up to speed on technology as fast as possible because it really helps to make our lives easier. Just the simple fact that we have our student grades on a shared drive makes life easier. As I mentioned before, we are not an actual campus and do not have access to the grading system used by the district. Before I came to this school the teachers here emailed the counselors on the regular campus to send out grades. They would each send one big email with a student's name and the grade he or she made in each class, along with the regular teacher's name, every six weeks. This meant the counselor was receiving four different emails with a word document containing (up to) sixty names and grades, which they then had to sort through and match up in order to get each student. I created a system where the grades were placed on an Excel spreadsheet and each student was a separate tab with all the six week grades available on that one tab. The teacher's name and other relevant data were saved on the spreadsheet and staff now only needed to enter the new grade for that date and the entire spreadsheet was sent to the counselor, which meant she only got one email and could copy and paste a student's information from one area.
I think that one of the benefits of blogs when it comes to education is the fact that they open up the writer to a much wider audience. The student's work is no longer restricted to the teacher and other members of the particular school but it is open to the entire world once published. This means that there are an unlimited number of fresh eyes who can critique what that student writes and give a different perspective, especially if that person is from a background that is different from that of the student.
Blogs also allow students to express themselves more freely and they can add images, video and sound to their posts to make them more interesting. This might lead to an explosion of creativity from a student who found it difficult to express him or herself entirely through the written word.
The biggest concern I see with the use of blogs is the issue of safety or abuse. Many students do not know how to use blogs properly and my put out too much personal information on their blogs, leaving them wide open for all kinds of trouble. Also, once something is published to a blog there is no way to get rid of it because people can save the information before you delete the post. If someone posts addresses or other personal information then it can be copied by anyone who happens to access that blog if no security measures are taken.
The other problem that I see with the use of blogs is the deterioration of English language customs. Blogging generally tends to be less formal in the writing style and so people who write are more likely to let the lessons learned in their English classes fall by the wayside. It is common to use 'texting talk' to write on blogs because a blog is owned by the writer and he or she can choose to write in any style. I have seen students use 'texting talk' on written papers and I have a feeling it is not any great stretch to move it to the world of blogging as well.
If I can convince school stakeholders to actually visit the blog would be a real achievement in itself. Most people that I have come into contact with in this district do not see blogs and other Web 2.0 tools as really useful or they see them as a big hassle. I would be able to use the blog to have a record of school events and milestones in one easy to reach place instead of just having items spread out all over the place.
If the school gets mentioned in the paper then we can provide a link to it that is accessible for years to come and can be shared with anyone around the world. This means that instead of having to wait for a year book to come out people can have a record of what is happening at the school as it happens.
I could also use the blog to push information about school closing or other school events to parents. Some people may not want to go to the school website to look for information but if they subscribe to the blog's feed then that information can go directly to their email, which they would be checking any way.Those with smartphones can also get the updates on their phones so it would be a good way to get the most up to date information on the school.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Action Plan For Technology.
In order to be truly effective the technology plan must address the areas of weakness that were found in the previous years STaR charts as well as address the needs found from polling teachers on the areas that they feel they need more training in. Since our biggest area is teacher preparedness we need to focus on training our teachers so that they know how to use the technology they have been given.
Powerpoint is an effective way to capture student’s attention as it can be infused with graphics, moving images, movie clips and sounds. One of the best ways to create an interactive class quiz is to use the Jeopardy version of powerpoint as this stimulates the classroom more than just having the questions posted on the board.
While my campus is up to date on the ratio of computers to students, many of the other campuses are not up to date and have very poor ratios. On the other hand my campus does not have the other technology that the other schools have, like smart boards or projectors. Meetings will need to be held to seek alternative sources of funding so that we can get those items as they are not addressed in the current technology plan. We might look at writing some grants to gain more money for technology or even approaching businesses for donations if the district approves.
The wireless network needs to be improved somewhat because it seems to get overloaded quickly an often kicks laptops off. Because of the nature of my campus and the fact that the students are in cubicles it has become impractical to have a desktop for each student as the desktops do not fit into the current cubicles. We therefore need to meet with the technology department to get some more wireless routers set up and add more capacity to the existing technology so that more laptops can have a reliable connection to the network.
It will be very important to have many technology related sessions during our staff development time because many teachers simply are not aware of the technology available to them or even how to use it in their classrooms. Instead of simply being left to their own devices on what training to attend we need a more proactive approach.
I suggest that teachers be given an ongoing poll to find out their levels of competency and areas of weakness. Then training that is customized to those levels can be offered for various groups. Staff will be placed into the mandatory training sessions according to the information they provided on the form and their classes will be covered during the times they need to attend if it is during the day.
In order to make the training seem even more enticing, some form of reward can be offered for an incentive. Instead of a cash incentive, staff can be awarded hours or points for attending the sessions and those points can be redeemed for a piece of equipment like a digital camera or a smartboard or something that the teacher does not currently have in his or her classroom.
In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the training that has been received staff will need to be able to demonstrate their increased usage of the technology learned. Every level will contain an exit test that showcases all the knowledge that should have been gained by taking the course and staff will need to attain a passing grade on every item to show competence.
Powerpoint is an effective way to capture student’s attention as it can be infused with graphics, moving images, movie clips and sounds. One of the best ways to create an interactive class quiz is to use the Jeopardy version of powerpoint as this stimulates the classroom more than just having the questions posted on the board.
While my campus is up to date on the ratio of computers to students, many of the other campuses are not up to date and have very poor ratios. On the other hand my campus does not have the other technology that the other schools have, like smart boards or projectors. Meetings will need to be held to seek alternative sources of funding so that we can get those items as they are not addressed in the current technology plan. We might look at writing some grants to gain more money for technology or even approaching businesses for donations if the district approves.
The wireless network needs to be improved somewhat because it seems to get overloaded quickly an often kicks laptops off. Because of the nature of my campus and the fact that the students are in cubicles it has become impractical to have a desktop for each student as the desktops do not fit into the current cubicles. We therefore need to meet with the technology department to get some more wireless routers set up and add more capacity to the existing technology so that more laptops can have a reliable connection to the network.
It will be very important to have many technology related sessions during our staff development time because many teachers simply are not aware of the technology available to them or even how to use it in their classrooms. Instead of simply being left to their own devices on what training to attend we need a more proactive approach.
I suggest that teachers be given an ongoing poll to find out their levels of competency and areas of weakness. Then training that is customized to those levels can be offered for various groups. Staff will be placed into the mandatory training sessions according to the information they provided on the form and their classes will be covered during the times they need to attend if it is during the day.
In order to make the training seem even more enticing, some form of reward can be offered for an incentive. Instead of a cash incentive, staff can be awarded hours or points for attending the sessions and those points can be redeemed for a piece of equipment like a digital camera or a smartboard or something that the teacher does not currently have in his or her classroom.
In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the training that has been received staff will need to be able to demonstrate their increased usage of the technology learned. Every level will contain an exit test that showcases all the knowledge that should have been gained by taking the course and staff will need to attain a passing grade on every item to show competence.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
STaR Chart For Corsicana High
This presentation showcases the high points of the Texas STaR Chart information, as well as showing data for Corsicana High over the time period from 2006 to 2009.
Please use the Play arrow to begin the presentation and use the Forward or Back arrows to move the slides along.
Please use the Play arrow to begin the presentation and use the Forward or Back arrows to move the slides along.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Opinion on the Long Range Plan and STaR Charts.
The STaR Chart is basically a snapshot of the preparedness of teachers, campuses and districts and shows the progress they are making towards the goals laid out in the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology. According to the STaR chart results for my campus we are not doing very well in the area of Educator Preparation and Development as this was our lowest scoring area for the past three years.
Description:
The area of Educator Preparation and Development refers to the progress that educators are making with regards to their own personal preparation to use and integrate technology into their classrooms. If teachers feel they are adequately trained then they will be more likely to use technology and be comfortable with it in their lessons. According to the Campus Star Chart , "Securing time, resources, and effective models for educator professional development presents a tremendous challenge to our state and to the entire nation". I have personally seen this because the technology department is currently swamped with fixing bugs and making upgrades to the point that there is hardly any time for training staff on how to properly use technology. As a result, many staff members feel they are not well prepared and so they chose to opt out of using technology as much as they can get away with.
Progress:
My campus has only made slight progress towards the state goals for educator preparation. We currently have a ranking of Developing, which shows that we still have a long way to go. In my short time in the district this is the first time that I am being made aware that there is actual training for technology use for teachers. Most of my training has been rushed and usually consisted of someone who was told at the last minute that they needed to show me how to use software. Some of the programs that we use like email were things that I learned on my own and only had to adjust to the district's way of doing things. Now that there is technology training available there are still very few people who show up because the sessions are at the end of the day. There is no monetary incentive for attending the training but you can earn hours towards getting a digital camera and some other hardware. Even with these incentives the training sessions have been very sparse, with only about four people on average attending the meetings.
Trends:
The trend in the last few years shows that technology use is on the rise, even though it is very slow, as the majority of teachers statewide are still at developing technology. When compared to the other areas of the STaR chart this is a great cause for concern because the teachers are the ones who are supposed to show students the benefits of technology, yet teachers are the ones who are the least developed.
Recommendations for Improvement:
I think more time needs to be spent on training teachers in the proper use of technology and the benefits that is has for them. The technology department has already started this by offering the training but I think it is up to the principals to motivate staff to attend the training so that they can learn the technology. Another way to improve educator preparation is to actually make staff aware of the purpose of the STaR Chart. In my first year of teaching I was sent an email that said to fill out the chart and did not get any assistance on how to do so. I was also not told the rationale behind filling in the chart. Then in my second year (last year) I moved to the alternative school and was told that I did not need to fill out the chart.
I was not aware of the Long Range plan for technology until I started to take this class and I am sure that many teachers have no idea what the plan is or where we rank on the STaR charts. If teachers are not aware of what progress we still have to make on the plan then there is nothing to light a fire under them to make them want to learn more. Teachers know about TAKS results and therefore they work to improve those scores. If they know their STaR scores I think they would be more willing to work so as not to have a failing grade.
Description:
The area of Educator Preparation and Development refers to the progress that educators are making with regards to their own personal preparation to use and integrate technology into their classrooms. If teachers feel they are adequately trained then they will be more likely to use technology and be comfortable with it in their lessons. According to the Campus Star Chart , "Securing time, resources, and effective models for educator professional development presents a tremendous challenge to our state and to the entire nation". I have personally seen this because the technology department is currently swamped with fixing bugs and making upgrades to the point that there is hardly any time for training staff on how to properly use technology. As a result, many staff members feel they are not well prepared and so they chose to opt out of using technology as much as they can get away with.
Progress:
My campus has only made slight progress towards the state goals for educator preparation. We currently have a ranking of Developing, which shows that we still have a long way to go. In my short time in the district this is the first time that I am being made aware that there is actual training for technology use for teachers. Most of my training has been rushed and usually consisted of someone who was told at the last minute that they needed to show me how to use software. Some of the programs that we use like email were things that I learned on my own and only had to adjust to the district's way of doing things. Now that there is technology training available there are still very few people who show up because the sessions are at the end of the day. There is no monetary incentive for attending the training but you can earn hours towards getting a digital camera and some other hardware. Even with these incentives the training sessions have been very sparse, with only about four people on average attending the meetings.
Trends:
The trend in the last few years shows that technology use is on the rise, even though it is very slow, as the majority of teachers statewide are still at developing technology. When compared to the other areas of the STaR chart this is a great cause for concern because the teachers are the ones who are supposed to show students the benefits of technology, yet teachers are the ones who are the least developed.
Recommendations for Improvement:
I think more time needs to be spent on training teachers in the proper use of technology and the benefits that is has for them. The technology department has already started this by offering the training but I think it is up to the principals to motivate staff to attend the training so that they can learn the technology. Another way to improve educator preparation is to actually make staff aware of the purpose of the STaR Chart. In my first year of teaching I was sent an email that said to fill out the chart and did not get any assistance on how to do so. I was also not told the rationale behind filling in the chart. Then in my second year (last year) I moved to the alternative school and was told that I did not need to fill out the chart.
I was not aware of the Long Range plan for technology until I started to take this class and I am sure that many teachers have no idea what the plan is or where we rank on the STaR charts. If teachers are not aware of what progress we still have to make on the plan then there is nothing to light a fire under them to make them want to learn more. Teachers know about TAKS results and therefore they work to improve those scores. If they know their STaR scores I think they would be more willing to work so as not to have a failing grade.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
EDLD 5352 Week 1 Part 4: Technology Applications TEKS summary
The Pre-K TEKS for technology are not divided into domains like the other Technology Application TEKS because they are not as detailed. They simply lay the groundwork for what the students will need to be familiar with as they enter the higher grades. Here the students begin to get familiar with the computer's main parts and learn the simple terminology like keyboard and mouse. At this stage they are generally not required to produce their own output from using technology as their technology use is mostly to provide feedback on what they are learning.
Students also learn how to select the appropriate program for what they wish to learn and then are taught the basics like how to start the program, how to navigate through the program and how to safely exit the program once they are finished with it. The use of age appropriate technology makes learning fun for the students and is easy to integrate into daily classroom activities.
Scaffolding and spiraling curricula are simply those that take one skill and build upon it in varying degrees as the student progresses. This is essential because it ensures that the student does not lose the skill due to lack of use, but it also forces the student to stretch his or her ability more and more as time goes by.
An example of a scaffolding or spiraling curriculum might read as follows:
In grades K-2 the student is expected to "use a variety of input devices such as mouse, keyboard, disk drive, modem, voice/sound recorder, scanner, digital video, CD-ROM, or touch screen" (§126.2. Technology Applications, Kindergarten-Grade 2. b,2,A) At this level the student uses these devices to access learning but is not required to produce any output that they have created.
In grades 3-5 the TEKS are the same but the student is expected to use these devices with greater proficiency. In middle school the student is expected to " demonstrate proficiency in the use of a variety of input devices such as mouse/track pad, keyboard, microphone, digital camera, printer, scanner, disk/disc, modem, CD-ROM, or joystick;" (§126.12. Technology Applications (Computer Literacy), Grades 6-8. b, 2, A) At this stage students need to show proficiency in the devices from the lower grades as well as move on to other devices that require greater dexterity and finesse.
At the high school level this TEK has morphed into the student will "demonstrate proficiency in the use of a variety of input devices such as keyboard, scanner, voice/sound recorder, mouse, touch screen, or digital video by appropriately incorporating such components into the product;" (§126.22. Computer Science I/ b,2,A) for example. At this stage the manipulation of input devices must be a part of the output of the student for the product being used.
Students also learn how to select the appropriate program for what they wish to learn and then are taught the basics like how to start the program, how to navigate through the program and how to safely exit the program once they are finished with it. The use of age appropriate technology makes learning fun for the students and is easy to integrate into daily classroom activities.
Scaffolding and spiraling curricula are simply those that take one skill and build upon it in varying degrees as the student progresses. This is essential because it ensures that the student does not lose the skill due to lack of use, but it also forces the student to stretch his or her ability more and more as time goes by.
An example of a scaffolding or spiraling curriculum might read as follows:
In grades K-2 the student is expected to "use a variety of input devices such as mouse, keyboard, disk drive, modem, voice/sound recorder, scanner, digital video, CD-ROM, or touch screen" (§126.2. Technology Applications, Kindergarten-Grade 2. b,2,A) At this level the student uses these devices to access learning but is not required to produce any output that they have created.
In grades 3-5 the TEKS are the same but the student is expected to use these devices with greater proficiency. In middle school the student is expected to " demonstrate proficiency in the use of a variety of input devices such as mouse/track pad, keyboard, microphone, digital camera, printer, scanner, disk/disc, modem, CD-ROM, or joystick;" (§126.12. Technology Applications (Computer Literacy), Grades 6-8. b, 2, A) At this stage students need to show proficiency in the devices from the lower grades as well as move on to other devices that require greater dexterity and finesse.
At the high school level this TEK has morphed into the student will "demonstrate proficiency in the use of a variety of input devices such as keyboard, scanner, voice/sound recorder, mouse, touch screen, or digital video by appropriately incorporating such components into the product;" (§126.22. Computer Science I/ b,2,A) for example. At this stage the manipulation of input devices must be a part of the output of the student for the product being used.
EDLD 5352 Week1 Part 3: Key Ideas of the Long Range Plan For Technology
The Texas Long Range plan for Technology, 2006-2020 is a document that details the plan for technology use and development in the world of education. I was not aware that such a document existed before taking this class but it is very good to know that there is such document that is well laid out. The plan, like everything else in education is laid out under various headings called domains and those domains are as follows:
Each of those domains is further explained in the document and gives more detail on the expectations for technology use and development in all areas of education.
Teaching and Learning
This section refers to the increased use of technology for our learners so that they may benefit from the things we are trying to teach them. Students should be able to manipulate technology not only to understand what they are currently being taught but also to find new questions that they can solve on their own. All learners must have access to reliable hardware and software that will not only enhance their learning but will encourage them to become more creative and explore the world around them even more.
Educator Preparation and Development
This section stresses the fact that we as educators need to be taught how to use the technology and learn ways to integrate it into every aspect of our teaching. Not only will this enable us to become better at explaining things to students but it will also make us all more productive so that we can handle those administrative tasks even better. The basic mandate of the long range plan is that all educators need to go through a program that shows the effective use of technology integration for all grade levels.
Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Support
This section talks about the leadership being involved in all aspects of the drive for increased technology use because they are the ones who ultimately decide on the allocation of resources. Leaders are also the ones who need to be the driving force to motivate the teams to use more technology, and at the district level they are responsible for ensuring compliance with the state and federal requirements.
Infrastructure For Technology
This section addresses the need to improve on the infrastructure that we have in place so that it can keep up with the growing demands in the upcoming years. The existing infrastructure will need to be upgraded as time goes by and there will also need to be investments into the purchase of new and better hardware and software to keep up with the demand of the population.
I now see how involved the long range plan is and how every member of each level must work together to be able to take advantage of technology so that we can improve. One thing that I was surprised to learn was that distance education is used for lower grades as well as for college students. I was also surprised to learn that the technology plan only allocates about $50 per student per year, as I think that this is a very small amount, given the current costs of equipment.
At every domain there are recommendations to the Texas Education Agency on what still needs to be done or what needs to be improved in order to make the long range plan be successful. It is now up to the leaders to inspire people to move ahead and embrace the technology so that we can all be in compliance and also benefit ourselves and our students.
As an instructional leader at my campus I can be the cheerleader to get everyone revved up about the ways that using technology can make our lives easier. I can motivate staff by showing them how much the use of technology will simplify things and save them time. I already know that our students are excited about using the computer for anything so it will not be too much of a stretch to get them on board as well.
- Teaching and Learning
- Educator Preparation and Development
- Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Support
- Infrastructure For Technology
Each of those domains is further explained in the document and gives more detail on the expectations for technology use and development in all areas of education.
Teaching and Learning
This section refers to the increased use of technology for our learners so that they may benefit from the things we are trying to teach them. Students should be able to manipulate technology not only to understand what they are currently being taught but also to find new questions that they can solve on their own. All learners must have access to reliable hardware and software that will not only enhance their learning but will encourage them to become more creative and explore the world around them even more.
Educator Preparation and Development
This section stresses the fact that we as educators need to be taught how to use the technology and learn ways to integrate it into every aspect of our teaching. Not only will this enable us to become better at explaining things to students but it will also make us all more productive so that we can handle those administrative tasks even better. The basic mandate of the long range plan is that all educators need to go through a program that shows the effective use of technology integration for all grade levels.
Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Support
This section talks about the leadership being involved in all aspects of the drive for increased technology use because they are the ones who ultimately decide on the allocation of resources. Leaders are also the ones who need to be the driving force to motivate the teams to use more technology, and at the district level they are responsible for ensuring compliance with the state and federal requirements.
Infrastructure For Technology
This section addresses the need to improve on the infrastructure that we have in place so that it can keep up with the growing demands in the upcoming years. The existing infrastructure will need to be upgraded as time goes by and there will also need to be investments into the purchase of new and better hardware and software to keep up with the demand of the population.
I now see how involved the long range plan is and how every member of each level must work together to be able to take advantage of technology so that we can improve. One thing that I was surprised to learn was that distance education is used for lower grades as well as for college students. I was also surprised to learn that the technology plan only allocates about $50 per student per year, as I think that this is a very small amount, given the current costs of equipment.
At every domain there are recommendations to the Texas Education Agency on what still needs to be done or what needs to be improved in order to make the long range plan be successful. It is now up to the leaders to inspire people to move ahead and embrace the technology so that we can all be in compliance and also benefit ourselves and our students.
As an instructional leader at my campus I can be the cheerleader to get everyone revved up about the ways that using technology can make our lives easier. I can motivate staff by showing them how much the use of technology will simplify things and save them time. I already know that our students are excited about using the computer for anything so it will not be too much of a stretch to get them on board as well.
Monday, November 23, 2009
EDLD 5352 Week 1 Part 2
I think that one of my strengths in educational technology leadership is that I have a degree in business computer information systems. I have had some experience with using the technology that is generally used in the classroom so I feel confident that I can help staff with some of their basic needs. I also have some experience with some of the Web 2.0 tools and can easily navigate blogs and social media websites so this puts me more in touch with what my students are doing.
My greatest weakness is that I am not in a position to exercise the skills that I have to any great degree due to a number of factors. One factor is just the nature of my school where we work off paper and pencil or one software program that contains all the work that the students need. Because we are so limited by our structure there is not much you can do with technology outside of letting the students log in to the program and work.
I believe that I really need more experience in using Excel as I believe it is a very powerful tool once you get to know all of it's capabilities. Excel is one of the best tools for an educational leader because it allows you to manipulate a lot of data and create a variety of reports very easily, in a format that is easy to explain. I think that the SETDA Teacher Survey just showed me all the other areas that I need a lot of work in to be an effective leader in my school's technology vision. The Technology Applications Survey pointed out more of my areas of strength in foundations of technology and problem solving with technology.
My greatest weakness is that I am not in a position to exercise the skills that I have to any great degree due to a number of factors. One factor is just the nature of my school where we work off paper and pencil or one software program that contains all the work that the students need. Because we are so limited by our structure there is not much you can do with technology outside of letting the students log in to the program and work.
I believe that I really need more experience in using Excel as I believe it is a very powerful tool once you get to know all of it's capabilities. Excel is one of the best tools for an educational leader because it allows you to manipulate a lot of data and create a variety of reports very easily, in a format that is easy to explain. I think that the SETDA Teacher Survey just showed me all the other areas that I need a lot of work in to be an effective leader in my school's technology vision. The Technology Applications Survey pointed out more of my areas of strength in foundations of technology and problem solving with technology.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Welcome To Lamar Class Postings
Hello,
This blog is to record my postings for classes taken at Lamar. I hope you enjoy reading.
This blog is to record my postings for classes taken at Lamar. I hope you enjoy reading.
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