Webinar Reflection

I attended and participated in the Webinar held on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. Just as you go into your class each year and arrange it to provide the best possible space for teaching and learning, so too will you use technology to create new spaces, even virtual ones, in which teach and learning can occur. Webinars make it possible for the teacher and student to be at a physical distance from each other yet still allow for the teaching and learning process to occur. The videoconferencing systems allow individual users to connect in a virtual meeting and exchange text, chat, grahics, sound, and visual images. Teacher and learners connect to the Internet, create their virtual space using their meeting software, and communicate just as they would face to face. The chat feature allows us to conduct live interactive sessions or groups of students to communicate in real time with each other. This is a common technology tool that my district uses to hold Professional Developments (Connect to learn to Sessions) and teachers and students for variety of purposes, such as reviews for tests and reteach opportunities. Electronic conferencing can provide an opporunity for direct, private, and meaningful communication.

Table for Week 4 EDLD 5352 (Corrected)

Week 4 Action Plan EDLD 5352

TITLE/JOB DESCRIPTION
ROLE/RESPONSIBILITY
Classroom Teacher
Teachers design developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that apply technology-enhanced instructional strategies and processes to support the diverse strengths and needs of all learners. All teachers and students work collaboratively to use technology to reinforce achievement of standards mastery; to support students’ conceptual understanding and independent application of core content; and to differentiate the teaching - learning process to accommodate students’ readiness needs, interests, and learning profiles.

Technology Coaches
Assist teachers in the development and use of technology rich lessons. They also include but are not limited to extensive, follow-up support for implementing new classroom practices (e.g. coaching with feedback).

Principal
Expect teachers to integrate technology in the curriculum. Attend trainings and stay abreast of new technologies.
Technology Specialist
The management of the computer network and the practical aspects of the school’s cybersafety systems. Making sure equipment is available and ready for teacher and student use. Update and revise inventory of technology equipment in the school.
District Administrators
Select and develop research-based instructional resources or activities in all grade levels that promote technological skills and competencies that students need as a 21st century learner. Establish school-approved policies, including policies concerning ethical, legal, and security issues aligned with district policies.
Students
Use technology productively and effectively to communicate and collaborate, research, and to think critically.


ROLE OF PRINCIPAL: Form a Technology Committee. Administrator’s budget will reflect decisions in support of the Technology Plan. Administrators have a professional obligation to further the potential for technology literacy from their position of leadership by pointing out the positive influence they can bring about for digital equity in the schools. Provide school- wide professional development regarding technology awareness and skills training. Develop and implement a plan for evaluating the effectiveness of technology use by teachers, students, staff members, and administrators. Evidence of technology integration in the classroom will be considered in faculty evaluation reports.






Week 4 Assignment, Part 2: Professional Development Planning


From the data collected and analyzed in Week 3, I would present a differentiated professional development to support my “digital immigrants and natives” (Prensky 2001). The goal of the professional development is to provide educators with the tools necessary to increase student achievement. Helping teachers learn to use their computers and digital tools to improve student learning is a critical element in our school. Administrators, technology specialist and coaches would need to provide a no-fail support system for teachers as they plan their use of computers in the classroom. Our teacher are challenged and supported with the responsibility to continuously update their skills. It is clear to support 21st century learners, teachers will need ever expanding technology skills to keep up with the emerging technologies available to them as professionals and to their students. We will model good teaching practices by offering traditional courses and online opportunities through webinars (Adobe Connect Sessions), and Blogs.
Differentiated courses
Immigrants: To overcome any possible reluctance to using a computer, it is best to begin by becoming more familiar with computers. This process starts by developing an understanding of how computers work and how they can be used for administrative and academic tasks. During this process of familiarization, it is also important to develop hands-on skills with the hardware and software that educators frequently use. The knowledge gained gives teachers a basis from which they can expand their technological skills and ability to use technology for teaching and learning. As technologies emerge and the Internet morphs into its next evolution, teachers will be expected to be on the forefront so that they can help their student’s bridge to their future.
Natives: Once you have knowledge and appreciation for the computer, the possibilities for expanding their capabilities by the addition of digital peripherals are enormous. These subsequent trainings will examine some of the most useful and innovative digital technologies for classroom use.
Integrating Digital Imaging Technologies in the Classroom
Integrating Digital Display Technologies in the Classroom
Integrating Handheld Devices into the Classroom
Integrating Other Digital Technologies into the Classroom
Integrating Digital Technologies for Special Needs Students


Week 4 Assignment, Part 3: Evaluation Planning for Action Plan
The School Technology Committee will meet near the end of the school year to evaluate the level of achievement of our goals for this plan. If necessary, based upon evaluation, adjustments will be made in order to stay focused on our goals. This will enable the school to monitor progress towards the specified goals and make corrections in response to new developments and opportunities as they arise for the next technology plan. Feedback from ongoing curriculum meetings will be used to modify the curriculum and projects as needed.
Progress Measures:
• Evidence of Technology Responsibility, references in teacher lesson plans
• Documentation of teachers, support staff, and administrators attending available technology staff development opportunities
• Number of lesson plans submitted to the teachers utilizing Technology

Hopper Huskies Star chart summary

Check out this SlideShare Presentation: Week 2 EDLD 5352

Hopper Huskies Star chart summary

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EDLD 5352 Week 2 Part 3 Post #3 Transforming America

Technology has become ubiquitous. It assists us in our personal, academic, and our professional life. As a result, technology literacy has become an essential skill. In a continued response to the technological imperative created by the unfolding Information Age, additional educational standards reflecting the new emphasis on educational technology have become evident at every level. The recognition of this necessity is demonstrated in the National Educational Technology Plan draft. The draft addresses 5 goals including learning, assessment, teaching, infrastucture, and productivity. It has become a necessary to understand and accept these expectations and to plan how to meet this escalating professional requirement. Teachers, administrators, and other staff members must embrace the technology our society has placed at the core of its twenty-first century life. Each professional serves unique student needs and contributes to the school community. For technology to succeed in enriching the instructional environment, all educators need to achieve their own technology competencies. While these may vary from one educator to another, all are critical to achieving successful technological implementation in the school.

EDLD 5352 Week 2 Part 3 Post #2 TX Plan for Technology

This Plan was presented and submitted with input and feedback from educational stakeholders, and after a careful review of the national scan, the state scan, and the findings of the state-wide survey, the gaps between the current reality in Texas schools and our state-wide technology visions were identified along with seven major technology action steps and recommendations were formulated. In the subsequent section, these recommendations are repeated, along with accompanying performance objectives, benchmarks, strategies, timelines, and evaluation sources. The Texas long-range Plan for Technology thoroughly identified and expounded the goals and purposes as follows
The contributions of technology in improving student achievement
To implement goals, performance benchmarks, strategies, and evaluation.
To publish common goals that will unite efforts of the Texas State Board of Education, other state-funded education agencies, local systems, and additional educational partners charged with improving education through technology.
To aligned with the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 guidelines for having a State Technology Plan.
To serve as a guide for federal and state instructional technology funding.
Bottom line this is proof of Texas commitment to improve student achievement by ensuring that all educators and students have the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in a global learning community.

EDLD 5352 Week 2 Part 3 Post 1 TX Long Range Opinion

Educational technology can enrich and enhance instructional experiences for both the teacher and the learner. It can provide resources for teachers and students and open the door to more comprehensive learning as well as extend the learning process. The power of the Internet can put the world body of knowledge quite literally at one’s fingertips. Technologies from audiovisual to the newest digital technologies provide powerful tools for creative teachers and support diverse learners. However, educational technology remains underutilized in many classrooms. Too often teachers have not learned how to work effectively with educational technologies in teaching and learning. Current and future teachers need exposure to and experience with the many and growing number of technologies that exist in schools and that schools are likely to acquire. Teachers also need a basic understanding of the technologies themselves. They need hands-on practice with them, and they need to explore how the technologies fit into the teaching and learning process.