All the things I learned about technology and myself

I learned so much from this course.  Each assignment offered a wealth of information from the Long Range Technology plan to the district technology plans.  I’ve been in the district for almost 10 years and I was not familiar with the goals of our technology department and their job responsibilities.  I realize now that those individuals are necessary to the future of our children if we want to provide them with meaningful learning opportunities that will help them succeed in the 21^st Century environments.  I realize that technology is not optional but necessary and more than anything, I realized that I needed to become more current with the uses of technology in my professional and personal life.  I didn’t realize that I was so far behind our generation of students in terms of the skills that they possessed.  I can now appreciate their knowledge and experience that they have to offer as it relates to technology.  I am more open to their opinions and suggestions and am less frightened of allowing them to perform in leading roles.  I feel that I am much more informed about the way our students think and feel in classroom environments and I know that it will help me to improve in my role as an afterschool director. 

Outcomes and Preventions

Although I purchased my books way ahead of schedule including the APA manual for my use in formatting my writing assignments, I felt I could not get a clear understanding of how to format references.  I read the book.  I accessed information on the internet.  I even consulted with persons who were going through doctorial programs and supposedly familiar with the styles.  On each assignment, points were deducted from my score because I had errors in APA usage.  I feel that I needed to have actual corrections listed that addressed the errors I kept making so that I could actually see the proper formats that should have been used.  Prior to submitting my assignments I would consult with students that were also using the manual to conduct their research.  It was always disappointing when I realized that I still did not clearly understand the necessary format to be used to complete my assignments.

My success as it relates to my current course

Surprisingly, I was able to successfully carry out my course assignments.  In the beginning and even now, I doubted my ability because I was so far behind in my knowledge about current technology.  It was a little embarrassing for me in that years ago I was a great programmer and thought that I was more advanced than others in my understanding of technology.   I prayed and tried not to reflect on negative thoughts that I might have gotten myself into something that could not be accomplished.  So far, I have made A’s on each of my assignment which was a boost to my confidence level.  I realized that I was able to learn and apply the knowledge through the various projects that were assigned.  The assignments were overwhelming and they took me an awfully long time to complete but after each assignment, I felt more confident that I would be able to complete future assignments.  Hopefully, this transformation of my thinking will continue in future courses to come.

How my outcomes are relevant to me

My duty is to bring innovative programming to students.  As I learned in this course, transitioning students into 21^st century learning environments is not an option for schools including afterschool but it is something that is very necessary to move our future leaders further towards successful careers.  I learned that 21^st century learning environments are crucial components for the success of our current society and future economy.   I did not realize just how much my current position related to accomplishing this task of transitioning ancient educational environments into new 21^st Century environments.  I realized that I had access to resources for technology that fit within my budgets.  I had access to knowledge of other administrators that could help me achieve the tasks needed in moving my programs in the right direction.  I also knew that the information provided in the classes would prove to be very beneficial for me as was apparent towards closure of this course.

How the vision of my outcomes contradicted actual outcomes

The outcomes that were originally envisioned for this course included a more programmatic approach to technology.  I had not a clear understanding of Educational Technology.  Based on my prior technology experience many years ago, I was expecting to participate in a lot of problem solving in regards to coding and decoding and hardware issues in the field of technology.  I thought that the assignments would include some type of programming or troubleshooting problems.  Fortunately, I learned much more than I expected.  Although, it was totally different than what was imagined, it was apparent that the information gained was so relevant and beneficial in my daily job duties as the afterschool site coordinator.   I never expected to learn all that I have in this course and each day, I feel so fortunate that I made the choice to enroll in this program.  I look forward to many more learning experiences that will help me to be a leader in this field.

Last Web Conference for the Class

The web conference today was full of information.  I just wish my audio would have stopped cutting out on me.  It never failed, everytime Dr. Borel would get to a juicy part, it would go silent.  This was unfortunate because I'm quite confused and I really needed to hear any word of instruction or advice that was available.  My meeting with my mentor is tomorrow so hopefully, we'll be able to figure this out together.  It's been a great learning experience offerring me little sleep but a ton of knowledge.  I feel a bit empowered by Dr. Borel and I tried to take heed to all of the comments on Epic, on the courseware, and on the conference about our class now coming to an end and that we made it.  Well, until I press that button on Friday, I'm not going to feel like I made it.  I felt quite overwhelmed today but again, I'm hoping the meeting with my mentor will provide some assistance for me as I complete all of the forms.  Thanks Sarah - you've been wonderful.

Today's Web Conference

Today's participation in the web conference was an eye opening experience for me to actually participate in a real time conversation with my classmates and instructor.  It was my first time setting up a web camera and quite a worthwhile experience.  I was able to figure out how to work the controls in order to adjust the picture.  I also learned quite a few things about the various components and the set up.  I can see why this could prove valuable for teams who can't really be together in one place.  I can also see how this would be a neat experience for students to use as an assignment to come together with each other over a long break or to come together in groups to work on a project. 


It was also especially great to see everyone for the first time.  I got alot of clarification on assignments and the internship.  My sound did keep fading so I'll definitely need to listen to the recorded session.

E-Rate and the Plan for Technology

Erate for schools

View more presentations from dwatley.

National Education Technology Plan

The 2010 National Education Technology Plan driven by Obama’s priorities to raise the proportion of college graduates and to close the achievement gap focuses on five essential goals.  These goals include learning through engagement and empowerment, assessment that measures what matters, teaching that prepares and connects students, infrastructure that accesses and enables and productivity that redesigns and transforms our education system for educational attainment.   The learning component of the plan determines what and how we teach, how students learn, where and when they learn and who needs to learn.  It provides for access to information and resources 24/7, the creation and sharing of information, collaboration and acquiring of new knowledge, student expression in untraditional ways where students take control of their learning, critical thinking and problem solving, and multi-media communications.  The plan provides for more online learning to reduce the number of students leaving high school without a diploma and unprepared for post-secondary education.

The mode of teaching involves facilitators and teams of collaborators replacing solo teachers as well as 24/7 teacher access to data analytical tools and resources to improve instructional practices.  There is support for students in and out of school through resource accessibility.  Parents have more access to assist with education. 

Professional development involves both pre-service and in-service collaborative innovational learning and resource opportunities that support teacher professions. 

Redesigning education through a collaborative force of stakeholders and locating leaders that are motivated to lead educators towards these advanced levels of technology integration may prove to be challenging.

District Technology Plan

Irving ISD's technology plan lists seven goals: 

Goal #1 is to infuse higher level thinking with technology and quality instruction.  Strategies include integrating technology TEKS and higher order thinking into 100% of curriculum areas, increasing integration of technology and maintaining the 1:1 ratio of computing devices.  

Goal #2 is to support assessment and planning through use of technology.  Strategies include technology support for assessing. 

Goal #3 is to educate all students and teachers in responsible technology use.  Strategies include trainings on appropriate use and internet safety. 

Goal #4 ensures that professional development is on-going and high quality.  Strategies include differentiated job-embedded technology training, increased use of technology in staff developments, and demonstrations on effective use of technology.  Staff developments focus on the needs of the campuses.  Trainings are conducted by Instructional Technology Specialists (ITS). 

Goal #5 is to ensure 100% administrative participation of appropriate software.  Strategies include the use of software and technology for communications.  

Goal #6 is to provide leadership to leverage technology for the improvement of teaching and learning.  Strategies include integrating technology into curriculum and maintaining technology resources.

Goal #7 is to ensure a stable infrastructure for technology use.  Strategies promote operations 24/7 and develop a sustainable system with available funds.  Financial resources include operating funds, grants, E-Rate discounts, business partnership donations and bonds. 

The district’s plan also allows for the development of contingency plans.  Local evaluations will be conducted for each aspect of the plan.  The Texas STaR Chart will also be used to measure progress.

Technology Assessments

Considering the fast emergence of technology and our global economy, the value of technology integration in schools proves to be more and more apparent.  Educators must be charged with obtaining the necessary knowledge that produces successful collaborative learning environments needed for 21^st Century learners.  In order to determine whether or not all educators have the tools to facilitate this type success, assessments must be designed to help capture and utilize information.  As indicated in the executive summary of the president’s National Education Technology Plan (2010), “assessments are needed while there is still time to improve student performance”. 

Just as our assessments certify that all teachers meet the needs of students in core content areas, we must also monitor technology acquisition within our teacher workforce.  As well, we must show that students have been supplied with the tools needed to face the new landscape of technology without any hesitations or limitations.  The use of assessments does not have to be limited to just determining teacher and student abilities.  Assessments also ensure that decisions are data-driven, serve as signs of progress and help identify areas of needed improvements.   

In such a dynamic environment, challenges may involve proper alignment of indicators.  An example of the impact of technology dynamics can be seen already in other areas such as the E-Rate program.  Applicants are to design plans that reflect 3 years or less to account for changes to technology.  Another challenge involves the ability to provide equitable resources and time allowances to all educators.