The web conferences are always an exciting place to be because there are so many people typing away and trying to be heard. The web conferences that I have participated in in other courses I was not very happy with the way that things were taking place. Many people’s questions were being overlooked and many students were discussing and commenting on things that had no relevance to the courses’ material or the educational program. However, in EDLD 5352 Instructional Leadership: Technology Component, there were questions being answered about course material.
The web conference allows for the students and professors to come together so that questions can be answered and clarifications can be made. I participated in two web conference during this course. The first web conference that I participated in had over 100 students in participation, which was a highly stimulating experience because there were so many questions and so much typing that it was hard to keep up. Because of this, I decided to participate in another web conference to see if the experience improved. The other web conference that I participated in was limited to 25 students and was a better environment for clarifications to be made and questions to be asked because of the lowered amount to students participating.
The web conference is the future of what will occur in the classroom and schools because it allows students to ask questions in a non-threatening environment where they may not be embarrassed, the teacher/instructor can provide information to the students, and reinforcement can be given to those who need it.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Technology chart
Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
Technology chart
View more presentations from taspriggs.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Technology Plan
De Zavala Middle School Technology
Roles and Responsibilities
Dr. Kirk Lewis
Superintendent - provides the vision and supports funding for the district to promote technology integration in our campuses and classrooms.
Karen Hickman
Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction (PreK – 6) – develops district plan for curriculum for grades PreK – 6. Helps the campuses meet their integrated technology and curriculum goals.
Steve Wentz
Executive Director Technology Services - ensures proper implementation of the administrative and classroom technology guidelines from the state and district.
Mike Ash
Infrastructure Services – creates the infrastructure that provides safety and an atmosphere that is conducive for technology across the district.
Mark Miller
Network Services Coordinator – helps maintain the efficiency of the network while assisting campuses with software decisions and application capabilities and how these programs affect their campus network as well as the district’s network.
Denise Gooden
Executive Director of Instructional Technology – provides assistance to the district in selecting, pricing, and purchasing software for instructional use in the classroom and ensures appropriate software implementation for students.
Kimberley Urie
De Zavala Middle School Principal – models the appropriate use of technology to the campus and supports the faculty and staff with the integration of technology by implementing district plan and allocats funds to provide the staff with implementation of technology and staff development.
Cynthia Owens
Assistant Principal – assists principal in fulfilling the vision of the campus and district's technology improvement plan and searches for funding to improve the technology initiatives on the campus.
Elizabeth Alvarado
Assistant Principal – assists principal in fulfilling the vision of the campus and district's technology improvement plan and searches for funding to improve the technology initiatives on the campus.
Robert Grote
Campus Technology Liaison – “a certified teacher or librarian, who contracts to perform eighty hours of campus technology staff development outside the regularly scheduled workday. The technology liaison position was designed to have campus-level assistance with software and pedagogy” (Pasadena Independent School District, 2010).
Professional Development Planning
Technology Improvements
In my district, the technology improvements can be identified by analyzing the Texas Star Chart, District Technology Plan and the Campus Technology Plan. After analyzing these documents some of the Key Areas of technology improvements that could be identified from the Texas Star Chart include: Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development, Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support. These challenges have been noted because of the need for improvement identified by the Texas STaR Chart. All of these areas have been identified as Developing Tech from 2006-2010 without notable change in any of the key areas except Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support in the 2009-2010 school year from Developing Tech to Advanced Tech.
Teaching and Learning technology improvements can be made through (1) “providing the required technology tools in every classroom (as defined in the Standard Classroom Model) to support the development, management and delivery of the core curriculum and utilization of the Instructional Management System” (2) “Expand the use of Blackboard to support…online courses, including interactive courses, dual credit courses, and video courses” and (3) “Providing all teachers adequate, secured data storage” (Pasadena Independent School District, 2010).
Educator Preparation and Development technology improvements can be made through (1) “A training Program will be provided and required for all teachers on the utilization of the standard classroom technology, available technology resources including online, and the use of the Instructional management system” (2) Develop a training program to expand the use of the management systems, how to access the data, and how to analyze and use data” and (3) “Provide online training for teachers based on assessment of skills and need” (Pasadena Independent School District, 2010).
Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support technology improvements can be made through (1) mandating that administration “take the Technology Leadership Program which includes both Instructional Technology and Administrative (Data-Driven, Analysis) Training” (2) “Implement the Instructional Specialist Program (with Technology Emphasis) to provide the support for integration of technology into the curriculum, and provide mentoring, coaching and staff development” and (3) “Establish a Software Committee to identify the minimum software applications that will be available to support TEKS/TAKS proficiency based on current data, different population needs, research based, results driven and technical standards” Pasadena Independent School District, 2010).
Professional Development Activities and Evaluation Planning
• Overview/Review of AEIS data
o Purpose of AEIS
o How to integrate technology to improve AEIS data
o AEIS and Campus instruction relationship
Evaluation
• AEIS data improvement
• Campus Improvement Plan
• District Improvement Plan
• Indentify 21st Century Learning/Technology
o The faculty and staff will identify how these can be used in the classroom
Evaluation
• Classroom Walk-throughs
• Implementation of technology in teacher lesson plans
• Increased application of skills acquired through professional developments
• Review of previous years STaR Chart
o Purpose of STaR Chart
o Identify strengths, weaknesses and goals
Evaluation
• STaR Chart – the data can be used to evaluate the growth or stagnation of the campus
• Campus Improvement Plan
• District Improvement Plan
• Data Analysis
o How to access the districts data analysis system - Eduphoria
o What data can be accessed from this site – TAKS, District Test data, Campus test data
o Identify what this data can be used to determine for the students in the classroom
Evaluation
• AEIS Data
• Campus Improvement Plan
• District Improvement Plan
• STaR Chart
• Campus Specific Professional Development
o Based on the areas identified from the Texas Star Chart the school will provide professional development throughout the school year to improve the faculty and staff’s technology
Effective Practices of data analysis, Microsoft Office, ethical use, etc.
How to develop a teacher webpage that students and parents can access and interact with the teacher
Integration of Technology in Curriculum in the classroom
• Interactive Whiteboards
• Blogs
• Classroom Wikis
• Digital Cameras
• Podcasting
• Smart Phone
o Evaluation
Classroom Walk-throughs
Implementation of technology in teacher lesson plans
Teacher Student Surveys
PDAS Evaluations
STaR Chart
Reference
Lamar Educational Administration Program. (2011). Technology Roundtable Discussion EDLD 5352: Week 3. Beaumont, TX. Academic Partnership.
Pasadena Independent School District. District Technology Plan 2007-2010 Pasadena, TX.
Richardson, W. (2005). Blog revolution: Expanding classroom horizons with weblogs.
Technology & Learning, 26(3).
Richardson, W. (2006). Making waves: With podcasting, anyone (yes, anyone) can create their own radio show. School Library Journal, 52(10), 54-56.
Texas Education Agency. (2009). Texas Campus STaR Chart. Austin: TEA.
Warlick, D. (2007). The executive wiki. Technology & Learning, 27(11), 36-38.
Roles and Responsibilities
Dr. Kirk Lewis
Superintendent - provides the vision and supports funding for the district to promote technology integration in our campuses and classrooms.
Karen Hickman
Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction (PreK – 6) – develops district plan for curriculum for grades PreK – 6. Helps the campuses meet their integrated technology and curriculum goals.
Steve Wentz
Executive Director Technology Services - ensures proper implementation of the administrative and classroom technology guidelines from the state and district.
Mike Ash
Infrastructure Services – creates the infrastructure that provides safety and an atmosphere that is conducive for technology across the district.
Mark Miller
Network Services Coordinator – helps maintain the efficiency of the network while assisting campuses with software decisions and application capabilities and how these programs affect their campus network as well as the district’s network.
Denise Gooden
Executive Director of Instructional Technology – provides assistance to the district in selecting, pricing, and purchasing software for instructional use in the classroom and ensures appropriate software implementation for students.
Kimberley Urie
De Zavala Middle School Principal – models the appropriate use of technology to the campus and supports the faculty and staff with the integration of technology by implementing district plan and allocats funds to provide the staff with implementation of technology and staff development.
Cynthia Owens
Assistant Principal – assists principal in fulfilling the vision of the campus and district's technology improvement plan and searches for funding to improve the technology initiatives on the campus.
Elizabeth Alvarado
Assistant Principal – assists principal in fulfilling the vision of the campus and district's technology improvement plan and searches for funding to improve the technology initiatives on the campus.
Robert Grote
Campus Technology Liaison – “a certified teacher or librarian, who contracts to perform eighty hours of campus technology staff development outside the regularly scheduled workday. The technology liaison position was designed to have campus-level assistance with software and pedagogy” (Pasadena Independent School District, 2010).
Professional Development Planning
Technology Improvements
In my district, the technology improvements can be identified by analyzing the Texas Star Chart, District Technology Plan and the Campus Technology Plan. After analyzing these documents some of the Key Areas of technology improvements that could be identified from the Texas Star Chart include: Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development, Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support. These challenges have been noted because of the need for improvement identified by the Texas STaR Chart. All of these areas have been identified as Developing Tech from 2006-2010 without notable change in any of the key areas except Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support in the 2009-2010 school year from Developing Tech to Advanced Tech.
Teaching and Learning technology improvements can be made through (1) “providing the required technology tools in every classroom (as defined in the Standard Classroom Model) to support the development, management and delivery of the core curriculum and utilization of the Instructional Management System” (2) “Expand the use of Blackboard to support…online courses, including interactive courses, dual credit courses, and video courses” and (3) “Providing all teachers adequate, secured data storage” (Pasadena Independent School District, 2010).
Educator Preparation and Development technology improvements can be made through (1) “A training Program will be provided and required for all teachers on the utilization of the standard classroom technology, available technology resources including online, and the use of the Instructional management system” (2) Develop a training program to expand the use of the management systems, how to access the data, and how to analyze and use data” and (3) “Provide online training for teachers based on assessment of skills and need” (Pasadena Independent School District, 2010).
Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support technology improvements can be made through (1) mandating that administration “take the Technology Leadership Program which includes both Instructional Technology and Administrative (Data-Driven, Analysis) Training” (2) “Implement the Instructional Specialist Program (with Technology Emphasis) to provide the support for integration of technology into the curriculum, and provide mentoring, coaching and staff development” and (3) “Establish a Software Committee to identify the minimum software applications that will be available to support TEKS/TAKS proficiency based on current data, different population needs, research based, results driven and technical standards” Pasadena Independent School District, 2010).
Professional Development Activities and Evaluation Planning
• Overview/Review of AEIS data
o Purpose of AEIS
o How to integrate technology to improve AEIS data
o AEIS and Campus instruction relationship
Evaluation
• AEIS data improvement
• Campus Improvement Plan
• District Improvement Plan
• Indentify 21st Century Learning/Technology
o The faculty and staff will identify how these can be used in the classroom
Evaluation
• Classroom Walk-throughs
• Implementation of technology in teacher lesson plans
• Increased application of skills acquired through professional developments
• Review of previous years STaR Chart
o Purpose of STaR Chart
o Identify strengths, weaknesses and goals
Evaluation
• STaR Chart – the data can be used to evaluate the growth or stagnation of the campus
• Campus Improvement Plan
• District Improvement Plan
• Data Analysis
o How to access the districts data analysis system - Eduphoria
o What data can be accessed from this site – TAKS, District Test data, Campus test data
o Identify what this data can be used to determine for the students in the classroom
Evaluation
• AEIS Data
• Campus Improvement Plan
• District Improvement Plan
• STaR Chart
• Campus Specific Professional Development
o Based on the areas identified from the Texas Star Chart the school will provide professional development throughout the school year to improve the faculty and staff’s technology
Effective Practices of data analysis, Microsoft Office, ethical use, etc.
How to develop a teacher webpage that students and parents can access and interact with the teacher
Integration of Technology in Curriculum in the classroom
• Interactive Whiteboards
• Blogs
• Classroom Wikis
• Digital Cameras
• Podcasting
• Smart Phone
o Evaluation
Classroom Walk-throughs
Implementation of technology in teacher lesson plans
Teacher Student Surveys
PDAS Evaluations
STaR Chart
Reference
Lamar Educational Administration Program. (2011). Technology Roundtable Discussion EDLD 5352: Week 3. Beaumont, TX. Academic Partnership.
Pasadena Independent School District. District Technology Plan 2007-2010 Pasadena, TX.
Richardson, W. (2005). Blog revolution: Expanding classroom horizons with weblogs.
Technology & Learning, 26(3).
Richardson, W. (2006). Making waves: With podcasting, anyone (yes, anyone) can create their own radio show. School Library Journal, 52(10), 54-56.
Texas Education Agency. (2009). Texas Campus STaR Chart. Austin: TEA.
Warlick, D. (2007). The executive wiki. Technology & Learning, 27(11), 36-38.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Blog #3 NETP
The National Educational Technology Plan has five goals that have been identified to transform American education. These goals include: 1.0 Learning: “All learners will have engaging and empowering learning experiences both in and outside of school that prepare them to be active, creative, knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our globally networked society (NETP, 2010). 2.0 Assessment: “Our education system at all levels will leverage the power of technology to measure what matters and use assessment data for continuous improvement” (NETP, 2010). 3.0 Teaching: Professional educators will be supported individually and in teams by technology that connects them to data, content, resources, expertise, and learning experiences that enable and inspire more effective teaching for all learners” (NETP, 2010). 4.0 Infrastructure: “All students and educators will have access to a comprehensive infrastructure for learning when and where they need it” (NETP, 2010). 5.0 Productivity: Our education system at all levels will redesign processes and structures to take advantage of the power of technology to improve learning outcomes while making more efficient use of time, money, and staff” (NETP, 2010).
The plan’s learning and teaching ideas are similar to many school district tools that are already required to make students successful. According to the plan’s learning goals, the 21st century learning model is used to make sure all learners are engaged and empowered when they are learning, that the information provided to them is relevant, and that learning is opposite of the cookie cutter idea, it is individualized (NETP, 2010). Teaching is expected to be connected instead of alone so that teaching is more beneficial to evoking student learning.
The plan’s professional development and training ideas suggest that learning should take place when educators are preparing to become educators, and training does not always need to be formal, but can happen “in the very act of teaching” (NETP, 2010).
My concern is that the requirements that are placed on teachers to learn and apply technology and to work collaboratively are increasing, but the amount of time that teachers have to learn new skills and collaborate effectively does not provide the opportunities for these improvements the way that others do in other countries (NETP, 2010). Contrarily, I believe in order to collaborate effectively and learn new technology, more time is required other than teaching time.
The plan’s learning and teaching ideas are similar to many school district tools that are already required to make students successful. According to the plan’s learning goals, the 21st century learning model is used to make sure all learners are engaged and empowered when they are learning, that the information provided to them is relevant, and that learning is opposite of the cookie cutter idea, it is individualized (NETP, 2010). Teaching is expected to be connected instead of alone so that teaching is more beneficial to evoking student learning.
The plan’s professional development and training ideas suggest that learning should take place when educators are preparing to become educators, and training does not always need to be formal, but can happen “in the very act of teaching” (NETP, 2010).
My concern is that the requirements that are placed on teachers to learn and apply technology and to work collaboratively are increasing, but the amount of time that teachers have to learn new skills and collaborate effectively does not provide the opportunities for these improvements the way that others do in other countries (NETP, 2010). Contrarily, I believe in order to collaborate effectively and learn new technology, more time is required other than teaching time.
Blog #2 Progress Report on the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology
The Progress Report on the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 introduces an immersion project titled Technology Immersion Project (TIP) that was used to look at how technology and student performance are related. The students were provided laptops which almost immediately improved parental support. The schools and students were monitored for their progress from the beginning of the program, and there have been a great response to full immersion. Some of the benefits listed in the progress report included: improved academic achievement, ownership, and differentiated instruction.
The Progress Report also identified virtual schools as another means of improving student achievement and increasing their technology use. Texas Virtual School Network (TX VSN) is a supplemental program that allows students to gain credit to graduate in the distant education area. The courses are identified and then reviewed for approval from the region offices.
Teaching and learning is an important factor identified in the Progress Report. The need for all campuses and districts to work toward Target Tech continues to be the goal. The students are where we are placing our greatest focus. In order to see improvement there, teaching and learning is an area of the Long-Range Plan for Technology that must be focused on.
By introducing Vision 2020, schools are being provided with more technology through technology immersion and virtual learning. The Progress Report goes on further to list and describe the districts and schools that were recipients of this award.
Educator Preparation and Development is tracked by way of the STaR Chart and allows campuses and districts to be aware of technology areas in need of improvement.
Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support has also improved. Their improvement is also documented through the STaR Chart.
The Infrastructure for Technology has also improved by documentation of the STaR Chart. A lot of these improvements are because of the grants and awards provided to schools.
The Progress Report also identified virtual schools as another means of improving student achievement and increasing their technology use. Texas Virtual School Network (TX VSN) is a supplemental program that allows students to gain credit to graduate in the distant education area. The courses are identified and then reviewed for approval from the region offices.
Teaching and learning is an important factor identified in the Progress Report. The need for all campuses and districts to work toward Target Tech continues to be the goal. The students are where we are placing our greatest focus. In order to see improvement there, teaching and learning is an area of the Long-Range Plan for Technology that must be focused on.
By introducing Vision 2020, schools are being provided with more technology through technology immersion and virtual learning. The Progress Report goes on further to list and describe the districts and schools that were recipients of this award.
Educator Preparation and Development is tracked by way of the STaR Chart and allows campuses and districts to be aware of technology areas in need of improvement.
Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support has also improved. Their improvement is also documented through the STaR Chart.
The Infrastructure for Technology has also improved by documentation of the STaR Chart. A lot of these improvements are because of the grants and awards provided to schools.
Blog Posting #1
It is imperative that we start making our educators more technologically prepared to develop the technology skills of students of today and tomorrow. The Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 Educator Preparation and Development provides a foundation on how this must be accomplished. The plan describes focusing on teacher preparation programs and ongoing professional development throughout a teachers’ career to prepare and maintain the technology skills needed to educate the “digital students” of today (Texas Education Agency, 2006).
There has been great progress and many productive trends in the area of educator preparation and development. Due to these identified areas of need, campuses and districts are making greater strides to make technology available to educators, the state is documenting teacher progress through the STaR Chart and by requiring all new educators to be familiar with the Technology TEKS, and nationally No Child Left Behind (NCLB) determines some of the funding schools will receive to fund technology improvements. Some of the new trends in educator preparation and development include: campuses building technology teams to provide professional development on site to the educators, districts and other agencies providing technology distance learning, and higher education and teacher preparation programs are being required to provide the educator with 21st century skills.
Methods to improve educator preparation have been well thought out in the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology. A recommendation that I would make to improve educator preparation and development would be to place requirements on the level of technology literacy that should be developed and maintained each year by all educators.
There has been great progress and many productive trends in the area of educator preparation and development. Due to these identified areas of need, campuses and districts are making greater strides to make technology available to educators, the state is documenting teacher progress through the STaR Chart and by requiring all new educators to be familiar with the Technology TEKS, and nationally No Child Left Behind (NCLB) determines some of the funding schools will receive to fund technology improvements. Some of the new trends in educator preparation and development include: campuses building technology teams to provide professional development on site to the educators, districts and other agencies providing technology distance learning, and higher education and teacher preparation programs are being required to provide the educator with 21st century skills.
Methods to improve educator preparation have been well thought out in the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology. A recommendation that I would make to improve educator preparation and development would be to place requirements on the level of technology literacy that should be developed and maintained each year by all educators.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Texas STaR Chart Presentation
Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
Texas s ta r chart
View more presentations from taspriggs.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)