Star Chart Slide Show
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Sunday, November 29, 2009
Week 2 Part 2
Leadership is the area of focus I have dissected for the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology 2006-2020. Since I plan on taking on an administrative role within the next few years of my education career, I figured it would be best to spend time becoming familiar with the demands and expectations in the area of technology. To be quite frank, I was overwhelmed. There has been much time and attention set aside by the Texas Education Agency and State Board of Education (TEA and SBEC) in the area of technology advancement. I found that the following categories fall on the shoulders of educational leaders: vision, planning, instructional support, communication and collaboration, budget, and online learning opportunities. Within these categories I found that the most progress has to be driven from the local level. For example, within a school district the vision, planning and budgeting must be addressed before the students will be able to seek gains from technology. Most students at the high school level perceived technology taking a higher priority in education within the next four years. Once local agencies (districts and campuses) are able to move forward with planning and budgeting, then teachers can begin implementing the technology on their end by integrating instruction. Other trends I discovered was the push from the state level. Governor Rick Perry and TEA Commissioner Robert Scott are prepared to push the technology movement forward. Since the expiration of the 1988-2000 Long Range Plan, SBEC and TEA have made a priority of keeping a vision of how to move technology in a parallel direction with education. Despite having a large task on our hands, discovering more avenues for technology applications will be exciting and rewarding for our students.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Week 1 Part 4
After reviewing the Pre-K requirements, I found students are required to review components of the computer and keyboard. They are able to perform basic technology applications which in turn lays the ground work for future technology applications. Examples of areas students in pre-K will be able to utilize these opportunities extends both in and out of the classroom. As the mother of a five year old and three year old, I am amazed at the level of knowledge young learners have just merely by being exposed to the computer. From seeing their parents use email, Internet, etc. The curiosity is there! Some scaffolding lessons pertinent might be to have students engage in patterning, selections of color, shapes, numbers and letters. These basic principals will not only be building their knowledge of prominent information, but also computer skills.
Week 1 Part 3
In the Long-Range Technology plan, it is imperative that all teachers meet the requirements for the SBEC in the area of technology. In order to help teachers attain meeting this goal (as Department Chair) I would like to offer specific technology trainings or staff development sessions to assist teachers with integrating technology. Our campus technology liaison along with our Academic Achievement Specialist have already been in the process of holding share sessions to make sure teachers are equipped to make technology a priority.
In order to take this to our district level in the content of dance, I plan to integrate technology during our district staff developments. In October we worked to incorporate a video clip showing dance/drill team's history (aired on the "Eyes of Texas" KPRC Channel 2) and progression over the last forty years. This clip began discussions and fused a buy in for how powerful video can be for not only teachers,but also for students. We also set a goal for district implementation of Sound Forge (music cutting/editing) software. This will enable all of the dance educators in our district to be on the same page and give our students equal opportunities for growth in technology.
In order to take this to our district level in the content of dance, I plan to integrate technology during our district staff developments. In October we worked to incorporate a video clip showing dance/drill team's history (aired on the "Eyes of Texas" KPRC Channel 2) and progression over the last forty years. This clip began discussions and fused a buy in for how powerful video can be for not only teachers,but also for students. We also set a goal for district implementation of Sound Forge (music cutting/editing) software. This will enable all of the dance educators in our district to be on the same page and give our students equal opportunities for growth in technology.
Week 1 Part 2 Reflection
The two technology assessments were very informative and gave me quite a bit of insight on where I stand as an educator in the category of technology. In the first assessment there were four areas- foundations, information acquisition, problem solving and communication. My two most prominent areas were foundations and problem solving. I feel like when I am approached with technology challenges, I am able to outsource answers and find ways to become more proficient. Even if it means teaching myself as I go along- I find that when I don't know the answers or method of remedy; I will do my best to find out and learn solutions along the way. In the area of communication, I definitely feel like I have been able to explore technology. Primarily when dealing with parents, I am able to utilize my school 'teacher web page' as well as my website for my dance team. I have also been able to send attachments via email and make sure to direct parents to navigate through our school site for additional information.
In the SETDA survey "the Teacher" portion was quite extensive. We had completed a similar survey to this on our home campus. Again, the results told me familiar tendencies. I am willing to seek answers when I have technology challenges. I also will do my best to find answers. For example, when I opened my campus in 2003, each classroom was issued a large television and VCR. DVD players and projectors were hard to come by and now the demand is certainly on the rise for projectors to be installed in every classroom. In fact, we are currently looking for storage for the large televisions and AV carts!
I feel like I still have much to learn in the category of technology. My strengths would be my willingess and attitude to want to learn. My biggest weakness would be my comfort level with the 'old' way of doing things. At first I don't feel comfortable trying new strategies, but I am willing to practice so that 'it' becomes second nature. I also find my students know the answers most of the time! They dabble in technology every day- it is part of their common language. As teachers, we must do our best to keep up. I am a life long learner, so whatever it takes.
In the SETDA survey "the Teacher" portion was quite extensive. We had completed a similar survey to this on our home campus. Again, the results told me familiar tendencies. I am willing to seek answers when I have technology challenges. I also will do my best to find answers. For example, when I opened my campus in 2003, each classroom was issued a large television and VCR. DVD players and projectors were hard to come by and now the demand is certainly on the rise for projectors to be installed in every classroom. In fact, we are currently looking for storage for the large televisions and AV carts!
I feel like I still have much to learn in the category of technology. My strengths would be my willingess and attitude to want to learn. My biggest weakness would be my comfort level with the 'old' way of doing things. At first I don't feel comfortable trying new strategies, but I am willing to practice so that 'it' becomes second nature. I also find my students know the answers most of the time! They dabble in technology every day- it is part of their common language. As teachers, we must do our best to keep up. I am a life long learner, so whatever it takes.
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