Week 5 Reflection

When I first began this course, Instructional Leadership, I envisioned learning more about instructional strategies to use in the classroom, as well as the campus. I did not expect to learn about technology or how it is necessary for the classroom. Once I realized that we would be learning about the importance of integrating technology into the classroom, I decided to set new outcomes for the course. My goals were to learn about the importance of technology in the classroom, as well as how to encourage faculty to integrate technology into the classroom. I also wanted to learn about the latest and greatest technologies, as well as how to beneficially use them in classroom instruction. I also wanted to completely understand the technology state standards as well as the purpose of them. The course aligned with most of my outcomes that I had envision, however some of the new information is still unclear.

The new information that I have learned has proved very beneficial to my instruction. I have learned the importance of technology and how it relates to our students. As a teacher, I need to remember the learning needs of the students. They are emerged in a active technology environment everyday. In order to keep our students engaged, we must teach them in the best way that they learn. As an active technology leader, I also should encourage other teachers within my department, to incorporate technology into their instructional routine. I can do so by giving a presentation on the information we have read about, as well showing them the importance of technology. Encouraging others to incorporate more technology into the classroom will ensure greater success for our students. Technology is shaping, and will continue to shape the world we live in. School personnel must prepare our students by integrating technology in the classroom.

I am still unclear on the technology standards set by the state, as well as the NET*S standards. I was also very confused at completing the technology action plan. In reviewing others' assignments on the discussion board, I felt that many assignments were very different. Others posted that they were not sure that it was correct. If many were confused, then I feel that the assignment instructions and details were lacking. It was hard to understand what the action plan was asking for. I am worried that the lack of understanding for the technology action plan will detriment my internship portfolio. I think it would be beneficial for there to be a example technology action plan on the resources section of Brighton program. It would have also been beneficial for us to have clear questions to ask our interviewees. I know that some ideas were sent through email, but scattered information makes it hard to get the assignment completed in a timely matter. I am not complaining, but it just frustrating to try and finish the assignment on time.

I was successful in all of my assignments, despite the lack of confidence I had in submitting some of them. I felt very comfortable with the blogs and was happy we took the time to learn how to do that. It is definetly a adapted instructional technique that I will incorporate into my lessons in the future. As I stated above, the lack of clarity in the technology action plan assignments made me feel incompetent with the material I was dealing with. My grades proved opposite of what I believed, maybe I just lack confidence in myself. I might have a better understanding than what I think and could have gotten worked up over small matters. I just believe that if there was a sample action plan to read and go by, I would have felt more confident about my submission. I hope that this suggestion could be implemented in the future for other students.

I have always understood the importance of technology in the classroom. I am a younger teacher and sometimes get frustrated with comments made in departmental meetings. We all know the individuals who are veteran teachers, and set in stone with their "tricks of the trade." It is agrivating to hear them say that they are not going to change their instructional routines for today's students. They are clearly missing the importance of being a teacher. A teacher's job description is to prepare students for their future. Not to do what is easiet for the teacher. If that means that a teacher needs to attend multiple trainings to become familiar with today's technology trends, then so be it. Teachers need to be prepared for the students. Technology is not the devil to education, it is a vital asset to the learning community. I have learned that I am an open minded individual, which will more than likely benefit my in my future plans to become an administrator. There are some individuals at my campus who are also taking classes in this program. The difference between them and myself is that they have a negative attitude towards any change. To be an effective leader, you must be able to accept and adapt change.

As I mentioned earlier, our blog was a vita learning tool for this class. I had never blogged before this class, or had the desire to do so. I thought blogging was for those who had ample time on their hands and wanted to share their ideas and thoughts with the world. When we received the first assignment to blog, I was hesitant. Once I began to set up the account and write, I actually enjoyed it. I plan to use blogs in the future for my instructional routine. I will be able to teach students how to create a blog, use a blog and demonstrate the importance of validity and the internet. A blog would be the perfect way to teach students how anyone can create information on the internet. I would also be able to work on students grammar, punctuation and overall writing style for the blogs. Blogs will become a vital asset to our world, especially as technology progresses. It is a free and easy way to publish information.

As always, there can be a negative side to blogging. Inappropriate or detrimental things can be written in blogs. If teachers lack the patience to teach the courtesy and rules of blogging, the process could backfire on you. If teachers are going to use blogs in the classroom, they have to teach every element in blogging. The teachers must also actively monitor blogs. Students could be saying inappropriate things as well as harming or threatening another individual. Students must also be taught that anyone can create a blog, and may put information in their post that is harmful to others. Those individuals may not mean to be harmful, but are expressing their feelings. Teachers need to instruct their students of cyber ethics and the responsibilities of being a cyber citizen. Teachers would never want one of their students to go home and create a harmful blog. Parents would ask were the student learned how to do that, and of course they would respond "at school." Then the teacher and administrators could be at fault for lacking instructional cyber ethics.

A great way to use a blog for school stakeholders would be to create a blog for your class. I could post today's topics and key elements of the lesson. There could be tips for success as well as tips for homework. This would be great for students and parents to access from home. If a student told a parent that they did not learn anything at school today or did not have any homework, the parent could check on the teacher's blog. The parent and I would be able to create an active relationship through the blog. If students or parents had questions about an assignment, they could always post the question. I could tell the students that I will check my blog at
8:00 PM and respond to all questions at that time. This would be a great way to communicate with school stakeholders as well as integrating technology into the classroom.

Week 4

iPods in the Classroom - Teachers will gain ideas for using iPods or any MP3 player in the classroom. Teachers will discover how this popular technology can increase learning understanding.

Smart Board Training - This will provide teachers with the necessary training to operate and use the many features of the Smart Board.

Interactive Power points - Teachers will learn how to create interactive power point lessons, games and webquests to use in the classroom.

Using the Computer for Cooperative Experiences - Expand cooperative learning through technology. Explore different types of online experiences: blogs, tele-communications, and project based learning.

These professional development sessions were created in response to the lack of technology in the district. There is a lack of technology integration in the campus and district plans. With appropriate funding and training the district will be able to increase technology use around the district. All four professional development sessions reflect the need for integration of technology in the classroom.

Data Collection in the Classroom - Teachers will learn to interpret data from benchmark and other standardized tests to apply to instructional strategies.

The "Data Collection in the Classroom" professional development is to address the need of teachers understanding student data and how to utilize it in their instruction. There was a lack of data interpretation professional development in the campus improvement plan.