Course-Embedded+Reflections+EDLD+5306


 * Course-Embedded Assignment Reflection for EDLD 5306 **

** Self-Assessment ** I have learned a tremendous amount during my time in educational technology leadership. I must say that I wasn’t in the dark too much during this course. I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in August 2009 so most of what I learned is still fresh in my mind and being applied. I’m very aware that the digital-age has evolved and will continue to do so. There are many areas that are being affected and K-12 education is one of them. I am aware of the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology which was first adopted in 1988 to set a vision for technology in Texas schools. I am aware of the Texas STaR Chart which measures where the campus/district is currently positioned for knowledge and acquirement of technology equipment based upon surveying the faculty. I have knowledge of the data sources such as the Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS), the school/district’s report card. I have a principal who is in love with crunching numbers and I have been taught how important it is to know where you are and how and where you want to go in the future.

** Learn as a Learner **  This class has prepared me to be a leader for the advancement of technology in the classroom and assisting teachers with implementing technology into their lesson plans. It also prepared me on how to assist with the Campus Improvement Plan (CIP) which included analyzing the AEIS report, and the Texas STaR Chart to determine the needs of our students based upon the disaggregated data. I modeled technology for the CIP team by making a wiki for the team to collaborate and brainstorm our ideas continuously. This gave us the opportunity to eliminate a lot of meetings and accomplish the task efficiently. As Solomon and Schrum referenced about us living in a wired, globalized world which communication and collaboration are possible 24/7 (Solomon and Schrum, 2007, p. 8). I must say that some members were reluctant about using where others were excited. We still have educators who do not want to embrace technology but it’s not an option because technology is here to stay. As a leader I must encourage and educate them on how to integrate technology into their lesson plans. One way of preparing teachers to implement technology into their objectives is by collecting data with online surveys which allows a teacher to engage learners and gather the information needed to set more meaningful and personalized objectives ( Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. 2007, p. 25).

** Lifelong Learning Skills ** The skills acquired during this course are definitely lifelong skills. Practice makes perfect and I will use these skills during the remainder of time in the classroom, and as a Campus Technology Expert. Web 2.0 tools are free web based tools that are easy to access and share with students or other educators. As technology evolves my wish is that funds will as well. Schools need funds to purchase technology and to keep the pace with an ever changing world. It is also important for students to have individual personalized computers. Prensky stated that there should be “One-to-One” ratio in computing and that any ratio that involves sharing computers – even two kids to a computer will delay the technology revolution from happening (Prensky, M. 2008). Technology is a subject that I will continuously seek professional development for myself, students and educators.

** References **

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Prensky, M. (2008). Adopt and adapt: Shaping tech for the classroom. Edutopia: //The George Lucas Educational Foundation.//

Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). //Web 2.0: New tools, new schools//. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.



= Embedded Course Assignments =