How can you use blogging to communicate with school stakeholders?
Blogging can be a constructive and positive tool for communication with stakeholders. Because blogging allows anyone to respond and give input, stakeholders can have 24/7 access to the administrators that they may have difficulty scheduling. This also provides the stakeholders with real time information about the campus. Many times the newsletter may provide information that is up to a week old. This can connect parents more to the school if they feel like they are communicated with in a timely real time manner. The connection can lead more parental involvement and volunteerism. Blogging with the faculty can provide answers to problems and can bring out problems that may be resolved quickly. You can communicate your vision and goals freely and provide that support for your faculty. The campus morale can greatly improve because the faculty feels a part of team that is communicated with. The faculty in turn can gain ownership and cohesiveness that the school needs. Blogging provides great benefits to the entire campus, parents and all stakeholders.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Concerns of Blogging in Education
· What are the concerns of blogs and blogging in education?
There are numerous concerns about opening up blogs and blogging in education. Within our district we had to rewrite our Acceptable Use Policy and an addendum to it. These policies centered around the use of blogging and Web 2.0 tools. Opening up teachers to share their thoughts or ask questions can open them up to more liability legally. Their words are also a reflection on the district. We had many questions when discussing the revisions to the policies. One was what we would do if a teacher says derogatory things about the district. How were we going to handle these situations? Another aspect was that of the student to the teacher. What type of posts could be posted? We needed a blogging method that was more protected than most of the blogging programs that were available. We found one that allowed teachers to monitor and approve the posts. Therefore, this would provide the teacher and the district with some protection. A further aspect would include putting legitimacy on the blogs and for students to realize many of these are only opinions and not always proven factual information. There is a great danger in looking at blogs as research information.
There are numerous concerns about opening up blogs and blogging in education. Within our district we had to rewrite our Acceptable Use Policy and an addendum to it. These policies centered around the use of blogging and Web 2.0 tools. Opening up teachers to share their thoughts or ask questions can open them up to more liability legally. Their words are also a reflection on the district. We had many questions when discussing the revisions to the policies. One was what we would do if a teacher says derogatory things about the district. How were we going to handle these situations? Another aspect was that of the student to the teacher. What type of posts could be posted? We needed a blogging method that was more protected than most of the blogging programs that were available. We found one that allowed teachers to monitor and approve the posts. Therefore, this would provide the teacher and the district with some protection. A further aspect would include putting legitimacy on the blogs and for students to realize many of these are only opinions and not always proven factual information. There is a great danger in looking at blogs as research information.
Educational Value of Blogs
What is the educational value of blogs and blogging to the 21st century learner?
Blogs in the 21st Century is a new communication tool to connect people and allow them to express themselves. Blogs give information along with opinions. It is the new area of Freedom of Speech. It allows anonymity in some aspects concerning the lack of human interaction and distance between the users. Blogs give an ability to express thoughts and information to many more people than any other methods. Even the television is not able to reach around the world. This tool in education provides an easy way for students who may be reticent in a group or class but, on the web may feel comfortable. Allowing this tool to be used in the classroom can provide thought provoking discussions which sometimes do not occur with the peer pressure and interruptions of the classroom. They can allow a teacher to focus on other topics that they have not had adequate time in the classroom to explain. Providing more interactivity can bring students to greater achievement and can spark an interest that will last a lifetime.
Blogs in the 21st Century is a new communication tool to connect people and allow them to express themselves. Blogs give information along with opinions. It is the new area of Freedom of Speech. It allows anonymity in some aspects concerning the lack of human interaction and distance between the users. Blogs give an ability to express thoughts and information to many more people than any other methods. Even the television is not able to reach around the world. This tool in education provides an easy way for students who may be reticent in a group or class but, on the web may feel comfortable. Allowing this tool to be used in the classroom can provide thought provoking discussions which sometimes do not occur with the peer pressure and interruptions of the classroom. They can allow a teacher to focus on other topics that they have not had adequate time in the classroom to explain. Providing more interactivity can bring students to greater achievement and can spark an interest that will last a lifetime.
Attitudes About Technology
What did you learn from this course…about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes?
From this course, I realized that goals for technology are very needed and necessary to reach the students of tomorrow. Being digital immigrants can impede our instruction and be a handicap to reaching our students today. Focusing in on how students function with technology will now by a new goal. Trying to understand and find ways to relate to the digital natives will be a goal of my future campus and faculty. I feel that integrating technology will be their method of communication and if we do not try to begin to change, we will not be successful in keeping pace with the world’s economy. As far as the technology that we have currently, I am excited about where our district is moving. However, I feel that we are moving too slowly to keep up with the necessary changes to keep our students on pace with the changes. Many times the technology is underused because of lack of training and teachers comfort level with the technology. Time for teachers to develop these skills is so small and pressured that teachers do not attempt to use it. I want to eliminate and be a help to those who want additional help. I see many teachers just struggling to meet the district demands and paperwork load. This is hindering the teaching.
From this course, I realized that goals for technology are very needed and necessary to reach the students of tomorrow. Being digital immigrants can impede our instruction and be a handicap to reaching our students today. Focusing in on how students function with technology will now by a new goal. Trying to understand and find ways to relate to the digital natives will be a goal of my future campus and faculty. I feel that integrating technology will be their method of communication and if we do not try to begin to change, we will not be successful in keeping pace with the world’s economy. As far as the technology that we have currently, I am excited about where our district is moving. However, I feel that we are moving too slowly to keep up with the necessary changes to keep our students on pace with the changes. Many times the technology is underused because of lack of training and teachers comfort level with the technology. Time for teachers to develop these skills is so small and pressured that teachers do not attempt to use it. I want to eliminate and be a help to those who want additional help. I see many teachers just struggling to meet the district demands and paperwork load. This is hindering the teaching.
Course Assignments
Were you successful in carrying out the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you?
The course assignments were very different each week. The first week was very involved and time consuming. I was familiar with most of the information on the Star Chart. I feel the Star Chart provides limited knowledge of the reality of technology on most campuses. I do not feel it gives a complete picture of teachers who are or are not integrating technology. Summarizing the Long Range Plan was very valuable information and knowledge for me as an Instructional Technologist. The blog and the surveys did not provide insight for me. The surveys were very basic and more specific questions are needed. Week 2 provided me with more information concerning my district results on the Star Chart. I had not used Authorstream or Slideshare and I enjoyed both of the programs. I did find that Slideshare had many more options and was much more user-friendly than Authorstream. I appreciated the other slideshows and information that was available on them. They are great resources that I will also use in technology trainings. Week 3 assignment gave me further insight into the Technology program and how it operates. Week 4 was very difficult to discern what the instructors were wanting and how they wanted the Technology Action Plan organized. However, it was very beneficial to develop professional development and an action plan along with defining the roles of the administrators and teachers.
The course assignments were very different each week. The first week was very involved and time consuming. I was familiar with most of the information on the Star Chart. I feel the Star Chart provides limited knowledge of the reality of technology on most campuses. I do not feel it gives a complete picture of teachers who are or are not integrating technology. Summarizing the Long Range Plan was very valuable information and knowledge for me as an Instructional Technologist. The blog and the surveys did not provide insight for me. The surveys were very basic and more specific questions are needed. Week 2 provided me with more information concerning my district results on the Star Chart. I had not used Authorstream or Slideshare and I enjoyed both of the programs. I did find that Slideshare had many more options and was much more user-friendly than Authorstream. I appreciated the other slideshows and information that was available on them. They are great resources that I will also use in technology trainings. Week 3 assignment gave me further insight into the Technology program and how it operates. Week 4 was very difficult to discern what the instructors were wanting and how they wanted the Technology Action Plan organized. However, it was very beneficial to develop professional development and an action plan along with defining the roles of the administrators and teachers.
Outcomes Not Achieved
What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them?
The outcomes that I did not achieve from this course dealt with budgeting and planning for future changes in technology. Creatively finding funds seems to be the job of the campus administrator to procure much of the new technology that is needed for students to achieve in their future society. It appears that there are never enough funds to have true technology integration. I had hoped this class would give more instruction in the funding of technology in Texas. I would like to study where and how these funds may be used. This may be a district decision but, I would like to know what stipulations from certain funds exist. Another outcome that time did not allow me was studying COPPA and the Acceptable Use Policy. Many questions arrive in my position about parental permission and how much access we do give the students. Online programs are increasing as server based software is decreasing. Therefore, more questions arrive about giving students access to these and how much parental permission is needed.
The outcomes that I did not achieve from this course dealt with budgeting and planning for future changes in technology. Creatively finding funds seems to be the job of the campus administrator to procure much of the new technology that is needed for students to achieve in their future society. It appears that there are never enough funds to have true technology integration. I had hoped this class would give more instruction in the funding of technology in Texas. I would like to study where and how these funds may be used. This may be a district decision but, I would like to know what stipulations from certain funds exist. Another outcome that time did not allow me was studying COPPA and the Acceptable Use Policy. Many questions arrive in my position about parental permission and how much access we do give the students. Online programs are increasing as server based software is decreasing. Therefore, more questions arrive about giving students access to these and how much parental permission is needed.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Outcomes Relevant to My Work
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?
Understanding more fully the perspective that an administrator takes with technology was an outcome that I feel is relevant to my current position. As a district technologist, I deal with administrators frequently about many of the issues that we covered in this course. I deal daily with integrating technology in the classroom. I work to educate teachers about the tools that they have around them. As I have learned from this course, educating them may not always be the most effective. I believe that with some teachers helping them and modeling to them concerning how to integrate technology is more beneficial. Allowing the teachers to feel comfortable with the technology is also crucial for it to become part of their teaching method.
As I observe many classrooms, I see technology tools that could be utilized. Yet they are sitting in the classrooms. Many times the students can easily use these technologies but, their teacher has difficulty. This is a great divide and communication gap that I see in education.
Understanding more fully the perspective that an administrator takes with technology was an outcome that I feel is relevant to my current position. As a district technologist, I deal with administrators frequently about many of the issues that we covered in this course. I deal daily with integrating technology in the classroom. I work to educate teachers about the tools that they have around them. As I have learned from this course, educating them may not always be the most effective. I believe that with some teachers helping them and modeling to them concerning how to integrate technology is more beneficial. Allowing the teachers to feel comfortable with the technology is also crucial for it to become part of their teaching method.
As I observe many classrooms, I see technology tools that could be utilized. Yet they are sitting in the classrooms. Many times the students can easily use these technologies but, their teacher has difficulty. This is a great divide and communication gap that I see in education.
Course Outcomes
• What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned?
Within this course, I have been able to define and resolve many of the concepts and issues that I deal with everyday as a district Instructional Technologist. It has helped me solidify and learn more information about topics such as copyright, intellectual property and cyber safety. I envisioned learning more about the administrators point of view of technology. Working in the area has given me great benefits and familiarity with the topics covered. However, from the perspective of an administrator, technology can be a little frightening with the capabilities that students have now. Protection of the students is essential but it must be balanced with the freedom to create and use the technological advances that we have. Being a digital immigrant, I feel that I still do not fully understand the students use of technology. They function with it completely not just for certain things. The outcomes aligned with some of my thoughts that I envisioned. The technology action plan was much more challenging than I thought it to be. Administrators have a great deal to initiate, observe and clarify. According to Davidson (2005), “But in the final analysis, it is the administrator who bears responsibility for the actions of stakeholders in all roles of the education environment.”
Within this course, I have been able to define and resolve many of the concepts and issues that I deal with everyday as a district Instructional Technologist. It has helped me solidify and learn more information about topics such as copyright, intellectual property and cyber safety. I envisioned learning more about the administrators point of view of technology. Working in the area has given me great benefits and familiarity with the topics covered. However, from the perspective of an administrator, technology can be a little frightening with the capabilities that students have now. Protection of the students is essential but it must be balanced with the freedom to create and use the technological advances that we have. Being a digital immigrant, I feel that I still do not fully understand the students use of technology. They function with it completely not just for certain things. The outcomes aligned with some of my thoughts that I envisioned. The technology action plan was much more challenging than I thought it to be. Administrators have a great deal to initiate, observe and clarify. According to Davidson (2005), “But in the final analysis, it is the administrator who bears responsibility for the actions of stakeholders in all roles of the education environment.”
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Star Chart
There is great debate in our district concerning the need for Technology Applications teachers in our district. I feel the StarChart results give great indication to the need for a full or part time teacher. Currently in our district the lab manager is giving a simple technology applications lesson with online software. This is definitely not the ideal situation. The teachers are repsonsible for these TEKS. However, most of them do not even know that they exist. These TEKS are not revisited again until the Technology Applications class in Eighth grade. The information in these classes is invaluable for most students in their future. Looking districtwide the lowest scores are in all in the developing stages. At the state level, 69.7% of the instruction is developing with minimal technology in foundation TEKS. These skills if taught at the elementary level could greatly improve the students independence at the secondary level. These will allow them skills to complete assignments because the basic technology skills to do them have already been met.
Districtwide we are making great strides in teaching the Technology Applications TEKS in the computer lab time. We now have a written scope and sequence in which most elementary campuses are using as well as online textbook curriculum and other online programs. The lab managers receive regular meetings for updating and explaination of curriculum and upcoming projects.The students are making advances and will be tested for the first time at the 5th grade level.
Even though we are doing what we can to make this situation work, the need for the teachers to include and understand how to integrate these technology skills would be the best possible scenario. Studies show that technology integration of skills is much more successful and proves better at student achievement than having basic instruction of skills. I hope to be instrumental in helping our district achieve more integration and to be help to the teachers.
Districtwide we are making great strides in teaching the Technology Applications TEKS in the computer lab time. We now have a written scope and sequence in which most elementary campuses are using as well as online textbook curriculum and other online programs. The lab managers receive regular meetings for updating and explaination of curriculum and upcoming projects.The students are making advances and will be tested for the first time at the 5th grade level.
Even though we are doing what we can to make this situation work, the need for the teachers to include and understand how to integrate these technology skills would be the best possible scenario. Studies show that technology integration of skills is much more successful and proves better at student achievement than having basic instruction of skills. I hope to be instrumental in helping our district achieve more integration and to be help to the teachers.
Technology Applications TEKS
Within the Technology Applications TEKS, you can see the spiraling concepts and scaffolding preparation for skills. From Pre-K you see the opening and closing of programs and using software applications to express their ideas. Later you see the use of word processing programs and multimedia programs to express their ideas. These same strands exist at each level of the Technology Applications TEK. As an instructional technologist, I do much of the planning for the lab managers and create lessons that involve the use of the TEKS. Many times because the TEKS are spiraled they do very similar activities but, at their grade level.
Long RangeTechnology Plan
The Long Range Technology Plan clearly establishes the standards that we as educators and leaders should be working towards. I appreciated the clear language and statistics that it represented and discussed. This document provides clear goals and placement of technology in districts. It establishes equity among learners and districts and provides small districts to still have an infrastructure and services that provide learners with tools to collaborate and provide "real world problem solving".
Technology Assessments
As an instructional technologist for the district, I feel I this is an area in which I have daily working knowledge and strive to develop to the best of my ability. Technology is an area in which excites and engages learners. It provides a method of instruction that students today easily relate and feel that it is part of their communication. It is vital for a leader to be proactive with teachers utilizing technology. Many teachers are fearful and feel that they are not adequately trained with using technology in their classrooms. As a trainer, I feel that training and practice of including technology in the classroom will benefit and maximize the classroom time and teaching. This will in turn produce greater student achievement and provide students with valuable tools for them to build upon. We understand that the tools we have today will be obsolete in the future but, like most concepts technology builds upon other concepts previous.
From the technology surveys, I feel that most of my skills in technology are rather strong. Within the first domain of the Technology Applications Inventory, I am very strong in most areas. I do feel that copyright is increasingly becoming a larger issue within education because technology allows copying information, music and videos so easily. It allows the educator quick access to these and thus, the educator can easily and inadvertently misuse the information. Copyright issues begin to really be important with the fair use clause for educators. It is limited and many teachers do not understand the limits. This is one of the most difficult subjects to relate and for teachers as well as students to understand. Other important trends in education are within the information acquisition domain. The validity of information on the internet is becoming an increasing issue in schools with the amount of information that is erroneous and incorrect on the internet.
Along with the Technology Applications Inventory, the State Educational Technology Director's assessment provides a view of personal and school objectives. It asks if data is being collected. I feel that some data is being collected concerning this but, not enough. Because we do not have state mandated testing in this area, I feel that not enough data is being collected by most districts and my district as well. Data in technology literacy and student engagement is needed to provide more corroboration that technology improves student achievement.
From the technology surveys, I feel that most of my skills in technology are rather strong. Within the first domain of the Technology Applications Inventory, I am very strong in most areas. I do feel that copyright is increasingly becoming a larger issue within education because technology allows copying information, music and videos so easily. It allows the educator quick access to these and thus, the educator can easily and inadvertently misuse the information. Copyright issues begin to really be important with the fair use clause for educators. It is limited and many teachers do not understand the limits. This is one of the most difficult subjects to relate and for teachers as well as students to understand. Other important trends in education are within the information acquisition domain. The validity of information on the internet is becoming an increasing issue in schools with the amount of information that is erroneous and incorrect on the internet.
Along with the Technology Applications Inventory, the State Educational Technology Director's assessment provides a view of personal and school objectives. It asks if data is being collected. I feel that some data is being collected concerning this but, not enough. Because we do not have state mandated testing in this area, I feel that not enough data is being collected by most districts and my district as well. Data in technology literacy and student engagement is needed to provide more corroboration that technology improves student achievement.
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