• What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned?
Since I did not even know about Texas’ Long Range Plan for Technology this course has really blown me away. I knew I took some strangely designed technology survey every year online, but I was never given the information from it. I was not sure why we took it or what it meant. I had no idea it was attached to a Long Range Plan for Technology. However, since I love adding technology to my classroom, this class was right up my alley. Even though my action plan is just a baby step towards the bigger goal, it still was something I could control and my 4th grade team will benefit from it.
• To the extent that you achieved the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not?
When I prepared my Action Plan, I did it from the stand point of what I could actually control. Since I am not currently fulfilling an administrative role, I could not really participate in a school wide technology plan. However, I could “really” participate in an Action Plan that was targeting my 4th grade team. When we talked about this in our team planning meeting, the teachers were very open to my ideas and we were able to reach a consensus as to how we wanted to address technology. Because, I am able to control and participate in this Action Plan, the outcomes are relevant for what I do on our campus.
• What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them?
At first I wanted to involve the whole campus. As I first started to plan on how to assess our campus professional development needs, I met slight resistance. When teachers knew I was doing a project for my masters program, several found it a waste of time for them and did not want to commit any time to my project. When I narrowed it down to my team and some pressing technology needs that we have already identified, they were more willing to work with me. I was not able to do a campus wide assessment and plan, but I was successful on a grade level plan of action.
• Were you successful in carrying out the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you?
I was successful in carrying out the assignments once I narrowed my focus to my 4th grade team. The neat thing was I that I actually worked with my team of five teachers to create an Action Plan for technology. So, it is not just some make-believe plan for what I would do if I were principal, it actually was a collaborative effort that added value to my team. Even though the assignment is over, we still are working from the Action Plan. I can’t say that everyone will actually stick to it, but the planning process was closer to that of what an administrator would probably experience.
• What did you learn from this course…about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes?
Like I stated previously, because I was so unaware of any Long Range Technology Plan, STaR Chart, or Technology TEKS, I have experienced a large amount of growth from this class. It would be easy to say this is something I could put on the back burner, because those I interviewed did not seem to passionate about the topic, but since I am already so technology driven, I found great value from the information in this class. I still feel a key component is getting more up to date technology in each classroom. When this happens, you will find more teachers willing to get the proper training needed to expand student learning through technology in his/her classroom.
• What is the educational value of blogs and blogging to the 21st century learner?
I think blogs are one more way that student can use technology to responds to teachers and other classmates, possibly from around the world, share ideas, and create digital projects. These are necessary skills for 21st century learning. Students are able to network among other students and professionals. Blogs are an affordable way for teachers to bring technology into the classrooms were students can have a first-hand experience with technology. As students learn to network with professionals and other students, we are better preparing them to meeting the ever changing world of technology.
• What are the concerns of blogs and blogging in education?
Although I can see the value of using blogs in the classrooms, I still have a lot of concerns. It seems like law suits are so common among schools, that teachers are afraid not to have insurance. More than ever we have to be more careful about what we say and what we write. Text to students could possibly be taken out of context and used against you. As a teacher, I could be held responsible for disciplining a student for inappropriate comments or conduct on the blog. At this time, I am uncomfortable with taking such chances. Even as I write these reflections, I have edited my remarks and left out some information because I would not want anyone on my campus to see any personal remarks I have made concerning our technology or campus.
• How can you use blogging to communicate with school stakeholders?
Because so many people are already using blogs to share information, it seems like it would be one more tool for increasing communication with school stakeholders. However, not all people have this access and would not need to be the only way to communicate. This could be a great tool for committees. For example, I serve on a TAKS Math Committee. It would be a great way to post topics and have everyone blog and respond. It possibly could take the place of so many meeting that we tend to have, or it could at least get us on the same page and spark creative ideas before we even have the meetings. I still think teachers and administrators should use extreme caution with using this tool to discuss any individual student’s behavior or progress.
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