Reflections of EDLD 5352

The outcomes I envisioned for this course were to be able to understand how technology is integrated into the school system through its leaders and other stakeholders. I also hoped that I would learn how to do presentations that I had never done before. These outcomes were both addressed. I had never created a blog nor a Power Point presentation before. I do feel that the course outline addressed the outcomes I had envisioned and beyond what I had envisioned. For example, I had no idea that Texas had a Long Range Plan for Technology and was quite impressed with what is expected of us in that plan. I was also excited to learn about the STaR Chart and what the data provided. As a former teacher, I had never known why we had to participate in the STaR Chart and now I understand. Learning how to blog, creating a Power Point presentation, and learning of the STaR Chart's importance has made this course's assignments more relevant to me.
The outcomes are definitely more relevant to me in my job at this time. I am the Assistant Principal at an elementary school and we do so many extra activities for students as well as the community. Because of this, we have presentations to give, and previously, I had no idea how to create a presentation using technology. I now know how to use a blog to present information as well as a Power Point presentation. Understanding the STaR Chart and being able to access it is valuable to me as an administrator also. I have to say that I've never seen the District Technology Plan before taking this class. This document was very interesting to see and it made me understand why and how things are planned for and mastered during a certain time line for technology. It was helpful in making me see how beneficial an action plan is, not only at a district level, but at any level when needs have to be addressed.
The outcome I did not achieve was understanding how to develop curriculum more thoroughly in the classroom for technology, especially at the elementary level. Although I know that we need more professional development, I would like to know how others go about addressing that need and how resources and time are divided in order to benefit from the training more efficiently. I would have also liked ideas for newletters or website ideas for administrators and teachers to use for improving their own. Having a list of websites for help in any technology training would have been very beneficial. I think that each level should have resource sites to address needs for that level. (elementary, middle school, and high school) With such limited time to "Google" something, I think that having that list would be a great teacher/administrator's resource.
The course assignments were very difficult to carry out. They were time -consuming in and of themselves, but with the added discussion posts and having to post on two other quotes was overwhelming. What happens is that one develops a non-caring attitude by Week 4. The assignments were beneficial, and I learned a great deal, but I can promise you that posting on other people's quotes had no benefit whatsoever for me. I enjoyed the articles, but felt that 8 articles per week were too many, especially when several of them said almost the same thing. As I said, I did learn a lot from this course, and I feel that it was worth my time and effort. However, the postings were too much and made me have a very bad attitude toward this class. Collaboration is one thing, but to me, this was just "busy work."
Learning about copyright laws and intellectual property was interesting to me. I had not realized the different areas of copyright we need to know about. Also, online bullying was news to me and caused me to reflect on how dangerous the internet can be along with the sexual predators out there. I felt that using the blog and Power Point was helpful because I had done neither before this class. It was very informational. I know that I am very "technology-ignorant" and have felt insecure about that. In reading about digital immigrants and digital natives, I didn't feel quite so alone! I think as a leader, I will need to make a special effort to be a good model for the staff in using technology as well as monitor technology usage on the campus.
I hope to be able to provide professional development that is helpful and meaningful to the staff in order for them to teach to the 21st century learners. I also want to make sure that I use newer teachers who have updated technology courses in college to mentor the teachers that need help with technology in order to bring the up to where they need to be for our students.
There are several benefits of blogging in education. One is that is a great way to communicate with students and parents, as well as community. Another is that students can publish their work or products and can collaborate with others from all over. Kids learn to interact with others and can manage their classroom assignments or collaborate with the teacher regarding an assignment. Music can be put on blogs along with video, so the uses for blogging are numerous.
Concerns with blogging are the same as with any internet tool. Sharing inappropriate pictures or allowing predators access to students' information are two of the most damaging credits to blogging. Many students don't understand how giving too much information away can invite predators to know who they are and where they live. It's our job as administrators and teachers to make sure that information is given regarding the safety measures that need to be taken when blogging.
Using blogging to communicate with stakeholders can be done through setting up a blog in order to post news, homework assignments, and answer questions. Scores could be posted, ( with codes for parents to know which score represents their child's), along with links to provide help for parents on many issues. Many times, parents just want to know something that is going on at school, and blogging may be the tool to answer any question parents may have. If an event occurred at the school, a blog could be posted to explain before they have to call the school and ask. Bus changes, lunch menus, classroom party times, field trip information, school board minutes, and any other important announcements could be posted into the blog.