Saturday, February 18, 2012
Web Conference Reflection
On Saturday, Feburary 11, 2012 I was able to participate in a web conference with my professors and many of my colleagues. I was able to gain some valuable information about the course and about the entire masters program as a whole. I was also able to contribute to the conversation as well. I was able to have some questions answered about utilizing TK20 such as The email to discuss TK20 and the google site that contains a lot of important information dealing with TK20. We were able to talk about how our district has rolled out a student network so that they can bring their own devices to school and use them as well as how that works logistically. I appreciated the opportunity to have a discussion with our professors as well as our colleagues and was able to gather quite a bit of good information that I can take with me.
EDLD 5352 Course Reflections
Entering into this course this semester, I really was unsure of what to expect. I knew that it had to do with technology, but I was not sure what kind of technology and how much was going to be considered. In taking the initial pre-course evaluation, I realized that there was definitely some areas that I lacked knowledge in. I envisioned that this course would help prepare me for ways to integrate technology in our schools and school districts as well as the various legalities involved with technology. I feel that this course definitely provided these outcomes for me through the five week period. I do feel that the course outcomes did align with the ones that I envisioned for myself. This course did provide for me a deeper understanding of implementing technology into our schools. Understanding why our districts staff developments are geared towards technology integration and then having the ability to design my own staff development was very beneficial for me. By comparing some of the tips and course outcomes to what my current administration and technology advisors are implementing allows me to see a real world application in my own school district and I found that to be very beneficial as well.
I feel that the outcomes that I was able to achieve are most definitely relevant to the work that I am currently doing in my school. As an educator, knowledge of technology usage is very important. It is important for me to not only know what kinds of technology is available to my students and what all I need to incorporate into my classroom to engage my students more, but also what I can and cannot do legally when it comes to technology. By having the opportunity to talk with our school’s technology professional, I was able to get an idea of how she encourages our teachers to utilize technology in the classroom. By taking part in some of her technology Tuesday tips, I have been able to integrate these different technology ideas into my own classroom including a project in which my students had do design a 3 minute lesson over a human genetic disorder that they presented. The technology aspect was for full credit, the project would present itself while they were able to sit at their desk. Many students posted videos on youtube or had powerpoints with their voice embedded on in that met the criteria. Outcomes discussed in this course provided me the opportunity to bring this to my own classroom.
I think that an outcome that I may have not achieved to this point is in promoting our students to use technology and their resources in a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment. The reason that I feel that the outcome may be lacking is for the simple fact that so many of our students have iphones and technology at their fingertips, it is hard to ensure they are utilizing their technology in a safe manner. In reading some of the articles that discuss social media and internet safety, I wonder how much we as educators are actually doing to curb some of the issues that are at the forefront. I know I will pay more attention to some of the signs and be proactive in protecting our students from predators, cyber-bullying, and other issues that can be present. I feel like I should be seen by my students as being more of a verbal proponent for using technology in a safe and legal manner.
I feel that I was successful in carrying out the course assignments for this particular course. I have earned full credit for each week’s assignment and have taken part in all of our class discussions. I really enjoyed reading the articles and commenting on a particular quote from each one and then reading other people’s views and comments on the quotes they chose. I feel like the articles that we read were very relevant in addressing the various outcomes that we needed to be familiar with. I enjoy technology and although I would not consider myself a digital native as our students are, I do consider myself a digital immigrant that has welcomed the integration of technology in our classrooms. There may be quite a bit more that I can learn about technology and incorporating it into the classroom setting, but I feel like I at least have a pretty good grasp on various types that are available.
I have used quite a few different web 2.0 type resources both in my classroom as well as out of my classroom. My students have utilized sites such as glogster, you tube, moviemaker, moodle, survey monkey, and others for presentations and other classroom activities. My students also utilize face book, my space, blogs, twitter, google sites, and other things for both social recreation as well as school related activities. In my classroom other than the using the typical Microsoft related programs, I also utilize moodle, you tube, discovery education, Wikipedia, and many other technology tools. I would strongly suggest utilizing discovery education for all ages of students and survey monkey, and moodle for older students. I think that there are many different sites and tools that are available to our students and I try to incorporate them into my classroom as often as I can. My students are used to using these different types of technology and I feel that they have a pretty good grasp of them.
Throughout the extent of this course, I feel that I have learned quite a bit about technology, but more importantly about myself and how I can be sure to incorporate this technology into my classroom. I also learned some things that I would need to know once I am an administrator and what expectations I should have for my faculty and staff as it pertains to technology and the implementation of various types of technology in their classrooms. Through the articles, assignments, discussions, web conferences, lectures, and interviews I feel like I have a much better understanding of how to enhance our campus’ teaching, curriculum, and learning environments. By incorporating technology, our students, who are digital natives tend to more engaged in the learning process because they are utilizing things that they know to learn other things that they may not. The connection is there. Overall, I feel that I learned quite about integrating technology into the classroom and what the goals and visions are for my own school and school district.
I feel that the outcomes that I was able to achieve are most definitely relevant to the work that I am currently doing in my school. As an educator, knowledge of technology usage is very important. It is important for me to not only know what kinds of technology is available to my students and what all I need to incorporate into my classroom to engage my students more, but also what I can and cannot do legally when it comes to technology. By having the opportunity to talk with our school’s technology professional, I was able to get an idea of how she encourages our teachers to utilize technology in the classroom. By taking part in some of her technology Tuesday tips, I have been able to integrate these different technology ideas into my own classroom including a project in which my students had do design a 3 minute lesson over a human genetic disorder that they presented. The technology aspect was for full credit, the project would present itself while they were able to sit at their desk. Many students posted videos on youtube or had powerpoints with their voice embedded on in that met the criteria. Outcomes discussed in this course provided me the opportunity to bring this to my own classroom.
I think that an outcome that I may have not achieved to this point is in promoting our students to use technology and their resources in a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment. The reason that I feel that the outcome may be lacking is for the simple fact that so many of our students have iphones and technology at their fingertips, it is hard to ensure they are utilizing their technology in a safe manner. In reading some of the articles that discuss social media and internet safety, I wonder how much we as educators are actually doing to curb some of the issues that are at the forefront. I know I will pay more attention to some of the signs and be proactive in protecting our students from predators, cyber-bullying, and other issues that can be present. I feel like I should be seen by my students as being more of a verbal proponent for using technology in a safe and legal manner.
I feel that I was successful in carrying out the course assignments for this particular course. I have earned full credit for each week’s assignment and have taken part in all of our class discussions. I really enjoyed reading the articles and commenting on a particular quote from each one and then reading other people’s views and comments on the quotes they chose. I feel like the articles that we read were very relevant in addressing the various outcomes that we needed to be familiar with. I enjoy technology and although I would not consider myself a digital native as our students are, I do consider myself a digital immigrant that has welcomed the integration of technology in our classrooms. There may be quite a bit more that I can learn about technology and incorporating it into the classroom setting, but I feel like I at least have a pretty good grasp on various types that are available.
I have used quite a few different web 2.0 type resources both in my classroom as well as out of my classroom. My students have utilized sites such as glogster, you tube, moviemaker, moodle, survey monkey, and others for presentations and other classroom activities. My students also utilize face book, my space, blogs, twitter, google sites, and other things for both social recreation as well as school related activities. In my classroom other than the using the typical Microsoft related programs, I also utilize moodle, you tube, discovery education, Wikipedia, and many other technology tools. I would strongly suggest utilizing discovery education for all ages of students and survey monkey, and moodle for older students. I think that there are many different sites and tools that are available to our students and I try to incorporate them into my classroom as often as I can. My students are used to using these different types of technology and I feel that they have a pretty good grasp of them.
Throughout the extent of this course, I feel that I have learned quite a bit about technology, but more importantly about myself and how I can be sure to incorporate this technology into my classroom. I also learned some things that I would need to know once I am an administrator and what expectations I should have for my faculty and staff as it pertains to technology and the implementation of various types of technology in their classrooms. Through the articles, assignments, discussions, web conferences, lectures, and interviews I feel like I have a much better understanding of how to enhance our campus’ teaching, curriculum, and learning environments. By incorporating technology, our students, who are digital natives tend to more engaged in the learning process because they are utilizing things that they know to learn other things that they may not. The connection is there. Overall, I feel that I learned quite about integrating technology into the classroom and what the goals and visions are for my own school and school district.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Technology Action Plan
Technology Organizational Roles
Campus Technology Coordinator – Help the campus technology issues as they arise, ensure implementation.
Teachers – Utilize technology in their classroom to engage students in globalized lessons.
Library Staff – Provide teachers and students supplemental research opportunities utilizing various sources of technology.
Campus Technology Staff – Assist Campus Technology Coordinator in ensuring the campus is running smoothly.
District Technology Plan Committee:
Assistant Superintendent for Technology – developing, coordination of, and implementation of technology plans throughout the district.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Programs – advise superintendent on issues concerning technology as they arise. Plan meaningful staff development opportunities dealing with technology.
Teachers – Utilize technology in their classroom to engage students in globalized lessons.
Library Staff – Provide teachers and students supplemental research opportunities utilizing various sources of technology.
Campus Technology Staff – Assist Campus Technology Coordinator in ensuring the campus is running smoothly.
Students – Utilize technology when presented in the classroom to foster greater learning and provide insight on new technology opportunities.
Parents – Support teachers and students in the usage of technology as a learning tool.
Community – Support school system publicly as well as financially to fund purchasing of technology.
The principal’s role through this flow chart is mostly to ensure that the pieces of the flow chart he is over are taking care of their part in the implementation of the districts’ goals.
All Groups: 10:20-11:50 (Cafeteria)
- Review Classroom Technology
- Break into pre-chosen groups—Share, Collaborate, and Debrief
*Bring your syllabi samples
- Share insights/conclusions from morning groups
- Enhancing skills or filling gaps in curriculum
- Grades 11 & 12--Follow Group 1 agenda
Superintendent: Provides the districts vision of technology and oversees the implementation throughout the district.
Technology Action Plan Committee:
Principals – Plan for the campus they are in charge of and ensure the plan is implemented at the campus level.Campus Technology Coordinator – Help the campus technology issues as they arise, ensure implementation.
Teachers – Utilize technology in their classroom to engage students in globalized lessons.
Library Staff – Provide teachers and students supplemental research opportunities utilizing various sources of technology.
Campus Technology Staff – Assist Campus Technology Coordinator in ensuring the campus is running smoothly.
Assistant Superintendent for Technology – developing, coordination of, and implementation of technology plans throughout the district.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Programs – advise superintendent on issues concerning technology as they arise. Plan meaningful staff development opportunities dealing with technology.
Teachers – Utilize technology in their classroom to engage students in globalized lessons.
Library Staff – Provide teachers and students supplemental research opportunities utilizing various sources of technology.
Campus Technology Staff – Assist Campus Technology Coordinator in ensuring the campus is running smoothly.
Students – Utilize technology when presented in the classroom to foster greater learning and provide insight on new technology opportunities.
Parents – Support teachers and students in the usage of technology as a learning tool.
Community – Support school system publicly as well as financially to fund purchasing of technology.
Professional Development Plan
| Group 1* | Group 2** |
| 8:30-9:15 Guest Speaker - Alan November Integrating Technology in the classroom (Cafeteria) | 8:30-9:15 Introduction to Consortium Work, Surveys, and Focus of the Day Panel Discussion and Q&A (Auditorium) |
| 9:15-9:30 Coffee break | 9:15-9:30 Coffee break |
| 9:30-10:15 Introduction to Consortium Work, Surveys, and Focus of the Day Panel Discussion and Q&A (Auditorium) | 9:30-10:15 Guest Speaker - Alan November Integrating Technology in the classroom (Cafeteria) |
*Group 1 LOTE, PE, MIT, Fine Arts **Group 2 English, Social Studies, Science, Math
All Groups: 10:20-11:50 (Cafeteria)
- Review Classroom Technology
- Break into pre-chosen groups—Share, Collaborate, and Debrief
*Bring your syllabi samples
All Groups: 11:50-1:00 (Lunch)
Group 1 Afternoon: 1:00-4:00 (Design, Dream, and Deliver)
- Reconvene by department/subject area (Locations TBD)- Share insights/conclusions from morning groups
- Enhancing skills or filling gaps in curriculum
Group 2 Afternoon: 1:00-4:00 (Locations TBD)
- Grades 9 & 10--EOC Planning & review of skills technology implementation- Grades 11 & 12--Follow Group 1 agenda
Evaluation Planning for Action Plan
- Administration will analyze STaR chart results for their campus and determine where the areas of need may be.
- Faculty and Staff will review technology goals to determine if they are being met.
- Teachers will continually integrate various forms of technology into the classroom.
- Analyze teacher lesson plans for technology integration.
- Administration will monitor teacher/student technology usage through walk-throughs and evaluations.
- Teachers will be asked to develop and present technology related sessions during staff development.
- Faculty and staff will be expected to attend and participate in meetings that discuss technology related items.
- District will provide online courses for teachers to take that will help them integrate some various types of technology.
- District will survey teachers after staff developments to measure and see what was beneficial and what was not.
- Teachers will survey students to see what types of technology helped them grasp concepts and what did not help them.
Technology Report for our Campus
How is technology and information systems (e.g., AEIS, AYP, STaR chart and other data gathering software) used in identifying campus curriculum, instructional and professional development needs?
After viewing the round table interviews with Dr. Jenkins, Dr. Abernathy, and Mrs. Cummings, one thing that caught my attention was the mention of the STaR chart and the data that it can provide a school district. One comment that Dr. Abernathy mentioned was that administrators need to “integrate the AYP and the AEIS with the STaR chart to see where we are going in the future.” I know that in talking with my school administrator, our district values the data provided from the STaR chart and determines what areas our schools need to address when it comes to technology based professional development. The data from the STaR chart can provide clarity to the school’s vision as it pertains to technology. In looking at our school districts results, we are currently in the advanced area in all four categories, but since we are not at our target goal, we still have some room for improvement. Knowing this our administration can design and provide quality technologyical professional development opportunities so that all members of our school can reach for the same goals.
How is technology being used to deliver and enrich instruction (give examples)?
The students in our school have plenty of opportunities to utilize hands on experience with lots of types of technology. From the use of our many computer labs, the laptop carts that can come into any of the classrooms, to the rolling out of our new student network that allows our kids to bring their own devices and use them on their own school network, we have many different opportunities for our students to utilize technology. Our teachers use various forms of technology as well. Our high school has Promethean boards and projectors in pretty much every classroom that our teachers can take advantage of and utilize to aid them in teaching our students their subject matter. School sites such as Skyward, Eduphoria, Moodle, and Discovery Education are utilized by both students and teachers alike to help deliver and enrich instruction. School policies such as our District Technology Plan also mentions the need for both teachers and educators to utilize email, an online gradebook, online substitute access, online financial services, as well as online staff development registration to make some of the everyday tasks easier and more efficient.
Identify and discuss professional development planning that focuses on the use and integration of technology in curriculum, instruction and assessment.
In talking with the Technology professional on our campus, she discussed some of the results of our STaR report nudging our district to provide more professional development opportunities that deal with technology. Since she had a hand in designing our school districts technology plan, she felt that technology is a huge part of the curriculum and needs to be available to both students and teachers alike. Our district has brought in speakers such as Alan November who specifically speaks on integrating new and unique technology into the classroom. We have teachers that are utilizing twitter, moodle, and other types of technology in their classes and will be presenting at future professional development days to spread their ideas to the rest of the district. By having fellow teachers presenting on the use of technology, those that may not be apt to change may reconsider once they realize the ease and benefits to using different types of this technology in the classroom.
Describe the use of technology to enhance learning and instruction – utilize professional experiences (e.g., how you use technology in the classroom).
There are many different ways and reasons for using technology in the classroom. I utilize the technology provided to me for passing on information to my students, for communicating with others, and for personal use. I have a Promethean Board and projector in my classroom that my computer is hooked up to. I am able to present power points, videos, notes, and many other things that allow my students to gain knowledge of the concept I am teaching them. My students are able to use my board and computer to present projects of their own. We also have access to sites such as Discovery Education and YouTube that allows me to show supplemental videos that build on concepts that I have been discussing in class. Our library also has a video and information database that we as educators and the students have access too through their school portal. I also use technology to communicate with students, parents, administrators, and other teachers. We can utilize school email to communicate about missed assignments, student behavior, school issues, and sharing of material. We also have access to Skyward grading system that allows our parents access to the student s grade at any time any day. The Skyward system also gives us as teachers the opportunity to email all of our students parents at one time to let them know about upcoming quizzes, projects, or tests. Finally, our district also provides for each of its teachers a personal laptop that we are able to bring home and utilize at home for research purposes, inputting grades, making assignments or tests, check email, and access the schools teacher portal that has access to our electronic storage through the district. The use of this computer allows me personally the opportunity to stay on top of my emails from parents and the inputting of my grades in a timely fashion. I know that without this computer I would not be able to even work on this assignment. I am grateful to my district for providing me these opportunities to work with various forms of technology.
Based on student interviews, describe how students are using technology to improve their learning and academic performance.
After discussing with a few of my students about their technology usage, I have come to the conclusion that the youth of today have so much more information at their fingertips than I did when I was in high school. Where I had to go to the library or look in an encyclopedia for information on a topic, our students have entire encyclopedias at their fingertips on their cell phones. Where I had to write down in a planner the upcoming tests, quizzes and homework assignments, students today are able to input them into their phones with reminders to study. When I had to call my friend on a LAN line to discuss a homework assignment, groups of students can communicate using group text and facebook to help each other out. The students that I spoke with mentioned that sites such as Wikipedia or even Youtube are constantly used for references on various topics and concepts discussed in school. Our students have such a great opportunity to utilize the technology available to them to improve their learning and overall academic performances.
After viewing the round table interviews with Dr. Jenkins, Dr. Abernathy, and Mrs. Cummings, one thing that caught my attention was the mention of the STaR chart and the data that it can provide a school district. One comment that Dr. Abernathy mentioned was that administrators need to “integrate the AYP and the AEIS with the STaR chart to see where we are going in the future.” I know that in talking with my school administrator, our district values the data provided from the STaR chart and determines what areas our schools need to address when it comes to technology based professional development. The data from the STaR chart can provide clarity to the school’s vision as it pertains to technology. In looking at our school districts results, we are currently in the advanced area in all four categories, but since we are not at our target goal, we still have some room for improvement. Knowing this our administration can design and provide quality technologyical professional development opportunities so that all members of our school can reach for the same goals.
How is technology being used to deliver and enrich instruction (give examples)?
The students in our school have plenty of opportunities to utilize hands on experience with lots of types of technology. From the use of our many computer labs, the laptop carts that can come into any of the classrooms, to the rolling out of our new student network that allows our kids to bring their own devices and use them on their own school network, we have many different opportunities for our students to utilize technology. Our teachers use various forms of technology as well. Our high school has Promethean boards and projectors in pretty much every classroom that our teachers can take advantage of and utilize to aid them in teaching our students their subject matter. School sites such as Skyward, Eduphoria, Moodle, and Discovery Education are utilized by both students and teachers alike to help deliver and enrich instruction. School policies such as our District Technology Plan also mentions the need for both teachers and educators to utilize email, an online gradebook, online substitute access, online financial services, as well as online staff development registration to make some of the everyday tasks easier and more efficient.
Identify and discuss professional development planning that focuses on the use and integration of technology in curriculum, instruction and assessment.
In talking with the Technology professional on our campus, she discussed some of the results of our STaR report nudging our district to provide more professional development opportunities that deal with technology. Since she had a hand in designing our school districts technology plan, she felt that technology is a huge part of the curriculum and needs to be available to both students and teachers alike. Our district has brought in speakers such as Alan November who specifically speaks on integrating new and unique technology into the classroom. We have teachers that are utilizing twitter, moodle, and other types of technology in their classes and will be presenting at future professional development days to spread their ideas to the rest of the district. By having fellow teachers presenting on the use of technology, those that may not be apt to change may reconsider once they realize the ease and benefits to using different types of this technology in the classroom.
Describe the use of technology to enhance learning and instruction – utilize professional experiences (e.g., how you use technology in the classroom).
There are many different ways and reasons for using technology in the classroom. I utilize the technology provided to me for passing on information to my students, for communicating with others, and for personal use. I have a Promethean Board and projector in my classroom that my computer is hooked up to. I am able to present power points, videos, notes, and many other things that allow my students to gain knowledge of the concept I am teaching them. My students are able to use my board and computer to present projects of their own. We also have access to sites such as Discovery Education and YouTube that allows me to show supplemental videos that build on concepts that I have been discussing in class. Our library also has a video and information database that we as educators and the students have access too through their school portal. I also use technology to communicate with students, parents, administrators, and other teachers. We can utilize school email to communicate about missed assignments, student behavior, school issues, and sharing of material. We also have access to Skyward grading system that allows our parents access to the student s grade at any time any day. The Skyward system also gives us as teachers the opportunity to email all of our students parents at one time to let them know about upcoming quizzes, projects, or tests. Finally, our district also provides for each of its teachers a personal laptop that we are able to bring home and utilize at home for research purposes, inputting grades, making assignments or tests, check email, and access the schools teacher portal that has access to our electronic storage through the district. The use of this computer allows me personally the opportunity to stay on top of my emails from parents and the inputting of my grades in a timely fashion. I know that without this computer I would not be able to even work on this assignment. I am grateful to my district for providing me these opportunities to work with various forms of technology.
Based on student interviews, describe how students are using technology to improve their learning and academic performance.
After discussing with a few of my students about their technology usage, I have come to the conclusion that the youth of today have so much more information at their fingertips than I did when I was in high school. Where I had to go to the library or look in an encyclopedia for information on a topic, our students have entire encyclopedias at their fingertips on their cell phones. Where I had to write down in a planner the upcoming tests, quizzes and homework assignments, students today are able to input them into their phones with reminders to study. When I had to call my friend on a LAN line to discuss a homework assignment, groups of students can communicate using group text and facebook to help each other out. The students that I spoke with mentioned that sites such as Wikipedia or even Youtube are constantly used for references on various topics and concepts discussed in school. Our students have such a great opportunity to utilize the technology available to them to improve their learning and overall academic performances.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Assessment of Teachers as it pertains to Technology
The question is whether or not educators should be assessed in the knowledge and skills pertaining to technology. I am of the opinion that educators should have a good grasp on technology available to them and how it can help them in the classroom. However, I do not know if there should be something that actually "tests" teachers on how and what they are currently utilizing in their classroom technology-wise. I do feel that teachers should be well rounded when it comes to incorporating technology to aid student learning but to officially "assess" them I am not sure I agree with. I think that we should trust our teachers that we hire to incorporate the technology provided as they see fit. Our teachers hopefully know our students better than most and would know whether or not technology would benefit them or not and be taking advantae of that.
I can see both the pros and cons for assessment of teachers and their technology usage. On one hand, some of the pros would be ensuring that educators are using the technology that is available to them. Our students for the most part have access to and are utilizing various forms of technology, they will also be expected to be able to use it when they go out into the real world. Therefore, our educators should be using the technology in the classroom and if they are not, then they should be help accountable for that. On the other hand, the cons for assessing teachers usage of technology would be the fact that not every lesson and subject requires technology all the time. Some teachers may not need to utilize technology in their classroom all the time. I also think that there could potentially be issues with funding for assessing all educators and with the school budgets in as much trouble as they are in, that woul be something to consider.
I can see both the pros and cons for assessment of teachers and their technology usage. On one hand, some of the pros would be ensuring that educators are using the technology that is available to them. Our students for the most part have access to and are utilizing various forms of technology, they will also be expected to be able to use it when they go out into the real world. Therefore, our educators should be using the technology in the classroom and if they are not, then they should be help accountable for that. On the other hand, the cons for assessing teachers usage of technology would be the fact that not every lesson and subject requires technology all the time. Some teachers may not need to utilize technology in their classroom all the time. I also think that there could potentially be issues with funding for assessing all educators and with the school budgets in as much trouble as they are in, that woul be something to consider.
Educator Preparation and Development in our schools
In looking at the four areas of the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020, I want to touch on the category entitled Educator Preparation and Development. This category is extremely important to the state's long range plan because it is the area in which teachers are prepared and taught to use various types of technology in their classroom. Teachers need to know how to utilize various types of technology in their classroom and the state's plan to improve the level and amount of preparation and development of these teachers will be very beneficial. Schools need to be sure to include various technology oriented professional development opportunities for their teachers.
As I think back to the number of professional development opportunitites over the past nine years I have been involved while in education, the amount of technology driven ones have increased over that time. Recently, my campus has brought in speakers like Alan November that does a great job of incorporating technology into education. Our district does a very good job of preparing and developing its educators in various modes of technology. We have had entire days of staff development dedicated to various types of technology that we can use in the classroom. We have had the opportunity to participate in courses teaching us to use Moodle, Eduphoria, SurveyMonkey, Promethean boards, and more. Having the opportunitiy to take advantage of these classes has made me a better educator and I feel like the entire staff has had the opportunity to prepare and develop better technology skills.
My recommendation for improving in this category would be to constantly continue bringing in speakers who can comment on including technology in the classroom for staff development. I think that school administration can send out technology tips every now and then as well to keep the staff up to date on potential technology uses for the classroom. By keeping the teachers up to date on potential uses for technology, schools can meet their requirement for Educator Preparation and Development as it pertains to technology usage in the classroom.
As I think back to the number of professional development opportunitites over the past nine years I have been involved while in education, the amount of technology driven ones have increased over that time. Recently, my campus has brought in speakers like Alan November that does a great job of incorporating technology into education. Our district does a very good job of preparing and developing its educators in various modes of technology. We have had entire days of staff development dedicated to various types of technology that we can use in the classroom. We have had the opportunity to participate in courses teaching us to use Moodle, Eduphoria, SurveyMonkey, Promethean boards, and more. Having the opportunitiy to take advantage of these classes has made me a better educator and I feel like the entire staff has had the opportunity to prepare and develop better technology skills.
My recommendation for improving in this category would be to constantly continue bringing in speakers who can comment on including technology in the classroom for staff development. I think that school administration can send out technology tips every now and then as well to keep the staff up to date on potential technology uses for the classroom. By keeping the teachers up to date on potential uses for technology, schools can meet their requirement for Educator Preparation and Development as it pertains to technology usage in the classroom.
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