This course provided me with technology knowledge that can be applied immediately with very little cost. I’m able to get around the computer and software, but I thought technology instruction meant having students use software programs that were installed in computers. What I envisioned in this course is not what the outcome I thought I would achieve. Initially I pictured myself trying to come up with a plan to locate funds to purchase technology software and introducing teachers to various software programs they can utilize in their instruction. This course opened my eyes to the endless uses of technology, not with software programs but with the Internet. The course outcomes were far beyond what I had envisioned. I didn’t realize how little I knew about the uses of the Internet and how instruction can be enriched without actually spending any money. This course has provided me with ways I can communicate with teachers and students on instruction outside of the classroom.

The outcomes that I achieved in this course have not only improved my knowledge of technology overall, but it improved how I do my work. I was able to apply what I learned by developing a college access blog for our students and their parents. With the knowledge that I acquired I was able to recognize the deficiencies in the instruction in regards to technology. This course made me realize how our teachers, and not just our technology teachers, need to be more aware of the technology standards and how to apply them in their instruction . They also need to be more aware of their own technological deficiencies and how they can improve their skills. A good way for teachers to understand their deficiencies as well as those of their students is by the use of “technology progression charts”. “The technology progression chart is an easy-to-use tool to help teachers get to that next level…it helps principals better respond to teachers’ needs and actively work to secure the necessary resources.”1

I achieved more outcomes than expected. I was able to understand the relevancy in the Texas Long-Range Plan and how important it is that all campus’ attempt to achieve the goals set out in the plan even with little or no funding. It helped me to be more sensitive to the needs of our “digital-age” students. It also helped me to understand ways we can differentiate instruction through the use of technology. “Taking a differentiated approach to instruction means accommodating differences by tailoring teaching to students’ strengths and knowledge.”2 The only outcome that I did not achieve was participating in the “Web Conference”. First of all, I did not have the webcam necessary to “actively participate”, but instead I was able to hear and see everyone else. I can see how this can be a very useful tool with teachers and students. I know we’ve all seen the commercial of a student talking to another student in another country and we don’t stop to think that we too could do the same in our classrooms. This tool could provide our students with first hand knowledge of other cultures without having to look it up in a book.

For the most part I was successful in carrying out the course assignments. First, the instructions were easy to follow and I was very excited to be learning the many uses of technology which made it easier to learn. When creating the blog the instructions that were provided were easy to follow and it was easy to do my postings. In summarizing the Texas Long-Range Plan and Technology TEKS it was difficult to condense so much information into one to two pages, but overall I was able to complete the assignment. In week two the analysis of the STaR Chart wasn’t difficult, but due to my limited ability with using Excel, it was difficult to create the graph using the data from the STaR Chart. Fortunately, I utilized the Internet and looked up “Creating Excel Graphs” on “YouTube” and I was able to figure it out. The posting of the PowerPoint on the blog was very simple, given the easy-to-follow instructions in using “Slide Share”. Other than the amount of writing required in week three, it was fairly easy to complete. In week four the difficulty I encountered was in posting my “Action Plan” chart on my blog. It kept distorting the contents. I proceeded to create a PowerPoint and then it was easier to post through Slide Share.

The main thing that I learned from this course was how little knowledge I actually had about technology and its many uses. This course has helped me to understand the importance of using technology during instruction in order to differentiate instruction. I learned about the aggressive goals of the Texas Long-Range Plans and how the lack of funding has caused the school districts to fall behind. I also learned how I could apply the use of “blogs” to communicate with my students and parents. This course has definitely helped me to understand my technology needs and how I can improve them. I will seek assistance and become more familiar with the uses of various Internet data collection tools that our campus uses. This course has provided me with an awareness of the deficiencies of our campus and I feel that I can make some valid recommendations to improve on them. Overall, my attitude about how I approach technology has changed. I am less fearful of using blogs for instruction, but at the same time I am more aware of the dangers.

Initially, I didn’t think to use blogs with my students and didn’t understand its educational value. Students and teachers can collaborate on homework assignments. Or students can receive a lesson from the teacher so they can come prepared to class the next day, or even invite an author to collaborate online. “Commenting capabilities in many of the blogging software packages allow for easy peer review for students and teachers and make bringing in experts or mentors from outside the classroom easy.”3 After having learned how to use the blog, I was able to create one to communicate with my students and parents. In communicating and teaching 21st century learners we have to be creative in order to keep them interested. Even though differentiation is the key, we can no longer limit it to what we can do in the classroom, but also include what we can do outside of the classroom. Our students spend an extensive amount of time online, whether it’s on the computer or their cell phones. We need to incorporate these uses into our instruction and provide that instruction outside of the classroom as well.

Blogs are such a useful Internet tool but it can be misused. Educators are behind the times when it comes to blogging. The fear of being in violation of any school policy will usually deter us from exploring the Internet. Unfortunately, the simple misspelling of a word, can instantly take you to a site that could get you into legal trouble. “Educators have been slower to adopt Weblogs for a variety of reasons, among them access, privacy, and security issues.”4 This keeps teachers from feeling confident in using blogs and can limit the possibilities for differentiating instruction using technology. Another concern to blogs is how “predators can have access to students’ personal information...But we can keep our students protected with thoughtful teaching and clear policy.”5 This is also a parental concern. It is not only the parents’ responsibility, but ours as well to educate our students on Internet safety so we can all have a wonderful experience.

Currently my communications with school stakeholders is limited to emails, phone calls and conferences. Blogging is another form of communication I can use with them. I can interact with them on topics and bring in experts to anything they may need clarification on. I can provide a session where students can blog about a lesson they didn’t understand and either their own teacher or another teacher can respond. Parents can find out about upcoming school events or parent meetings that may be held in the future or even post a question or concern for the Administrator. They can also participate in a discussion to see what their student is expected to learn. I can provide a section for alumni to ask information about school events or fundraisers they may want to contribute to. Finally, I can provide access to a forum where teachers can communicate with other teachers in the city, state, country and/or world.

Citations:
1 Jones, E. (2007). Strategies to put instruction ahead of technology. Principal Leadership, 7(6), pp.37.
2 Duffield, J., Wahl, L., (2005). Using flexible technology to meet the needs of diverse learners: What teachers can do. Retrieved December 15, 2009, from website http://www.wested.org/cs/we/view/rs/763
3 Richardson, W. (2004). Blogging and RSS - The what's it? And how to of powerful new web tools for educators. MultiMedia & Intern@Schools, 11(1), pp.10.
4 Richardson, W. (2004). Blogging and RSS - The what's it? And how to of powerful new web tools for educators. MultiMedia & Intern@Schools, 11(1), pp.10.
5 Richardson, W. (2005). Blog revolution: Expanding classroom horizons with web logs. Technology & Learning, 26(3).

Technology Action Plan

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Technology Action Plan

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