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.
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