ELDL5301 Course Reflection

     The second course of the technology master’s program was Action Research. This has proven to be a very beneficial class for me. The course instructor included three insightful interviews of Lamar Alumni that has proven success with action research. It was great to see the research from a standpoint of someone who has experience with it. Sometimes it’s hard to visualize an idea without firsthand knowledge of it. The three men shared very different aspects of the research project. Tim Chargois does research at the district level, while the others are participating in research for the campus level. It opens your eyes at the possibilities out there.

     Meeting with my mentor to agree on a topic and revise plan proved to be a difficult task. She is the school counselor and her duties include TAKS. The weeks we needed to meet were in the middle of the TAKS season. We ended up meeting via email and in the hall. She was able to guide me as much as possible, but the timing was just bad. It all worked out in the end and we feel my topic is well thought out and will be beneficial to our school.

     The web conferences started off great and then chaos set in. As a technology guru, I wished I could have done something more to help. I need to learn more about that system, so that maybe in the future I can be of some value. The information was great and Dr. Jenkins did his best to keep us engaged and actively participating. The conferences were full of good information, both course-wise and teaching-wise. I was grateful to be able to attend the meetings and look forward to the last one tomorrow.

     The textbooks selected were perfect for the course. I purchased a hard copy of the Harris book, and a digital copy on my IPAD of the Dana text. I was glad to see the digital version of the DANA text, less bulk to tote around. The texts were full of great information and I enjoyed reading them for the most part. Like most texts, some parts were tougher to hold my attention than others. Basically they helped me accomplish what I need, so they served their purpose. I foresee hanging on to those two texts for future references.

     The courseware was pretty straight forward, one assignment each week and the discussions. I enjoyed participating in the discussions. Everyone seems to give thought to his or her responses and I appreciate that. I really enjoyed looking back to the first week to see how far we have come in just five short weeks. That is kind of amazing. I didn’t think it had been that long, then looking back it seems like so long ago I typed the first discussion prompt. Everyone seems to have grown and the discussions were a way to get great feedback.

     Overall the course was well laid out and I enjoyed it. I worked very hard in this course and I hope my efforts show through my research in the end. There was a ton of information to learn very quickly, but it was set up nicely in that it was easy to handle. The professor did a great job, as did the IA in relaying all the information and answering questions. Thanks for a great course.

My Action Research Plan

ACTION RESEARCH PLAN

Cherie Stanley

EDLD 5301

ET8031

GOAL: The goal of my action research will be to determine why the teachers on my campus are not utilizing the technology available to them and find ways to encourage them to use the technology more often and more efficiently.

Action Steps	Persons Responsible	Timeline: Start/End	Resources	Evaluation
1. Meet with site mentor and discuss topics of interest for research.	Cherie Stanley Linda Applewhite	April 2001 – April 2011	Conference with site mentor	Various topics were discussed and agreed upon
1.1  Select a topic.	Cherie Stanley Linda Applewhite	April 2011 – April 2011	Conference with site mentor	We selected the best possible topic for the school and my degree plan.
2. Locate and analyze the campus star chart. 2.1 Decide on which teachers to include in the surveys based on the star chart findings.	Cherie Stanley Linda Applewhite	April 2011	Conference with site mentor	We discussed including all teachers (providing they are willing to help) since our school is so small.
3.  Create surveys to admin- ister to teachers about why they do not use the given technology and what would encourage them to use technology more often. 3.1 Survey a random selection  of students to find out if they  feel actively engaged in class and if they feel that technology is being used at an optimal level	Cherie Stanley	May 2011-June 2011	Survey Monkey and printed question-naires Teachers and students	Survey results when all surveys are completed.
4. Conduct outside research to gather more data 4.1 Reflect on the information I have gathered and decide what information is missing.	Cherie Stanley	June 2011 – August 2011	*Internet *Facebook *bzz agent *journals articles	Collect and analyze data from outside sources to help my research findings
5. Interview/observe at least one teacher per grade level on their technology use and at least 2 program teachers. 5.1 Decide if there are problems that are causing the lack of use. For example, internet drops in a bad place, broken equipment.	Cherie Stanley Teachers	Aug. 2011 – Sept. 2011	Conferences and observations with teachers	Collect data and match what I had found through the surveys
6. Create a staff development based on the survey findings of the highest needed area.	Cherie Stanley	Sept. 2011-Dec. 2011	Internet Powerpoint Smartboard	Have teachers evaluate my professional development activity to determine it’s effectiveness
7. Observe to see if the teachers are trying to implement what we went over in the professional development	Cherie Stanley Random Teachers	Sept. 2011 – Dec. 2011	Surveys, obersevations, and questionnaires	Collect data to see if there are any changes in the use of technology
8. Compile and analyze all data. Share the findings with the principal, mentor and possibly campus staff.	Cherie Stanley Random Students	Dec. 2011 – Feb. 2012	Research, All surveys, interviews, observations, and notes	Final evaluation of my work.

Action Research week 2 reflection

This week gave me insight into some really great action research topics. I was able to view several interviews of scholars and they had some interesting topics to discuss. I also was able to indulge in the textbook and research nine different areas to which I was able to search out topics in each area. It was an eye opener as to the amount of things that can be researched and repaired on a campus with just beginning that initial step. Once you dedicate yourself to the plan the rest appears to follow.

How can Educational Leaders Use Blogs

     Blogs can be a great tool for leaders in the educational setting. The can communicate with their staff through a blog, although they might consider making it a private blog for registered users only. Instead of email they can blog staff notices, this way all notices are easily obtainable at a later date in one place. School leaders can also create a parent blog for information about school happenings or important notes. Again, only registered users should be able to see this information. The superintendent might also want to create a blog to communicate with staff or parents. It can be a very efficient means of communication in the school setting. Administrators can post lunch menus, faculty meeting agendas, bus duties, or whatever needs to be conveyed to the staff. 

What have I learned about Action Research?

  

     Through reading the suggested class readings I have absorbed quite a bit of information on action research. First of all, it is an on-going professional development designed to improve in areas that individuals see fit. It can be tailored to the need of the researcher. Usually the principal is the lead inquirer when deciding what needs to be researched and carried out. Once a topic of inquiry is decided upon the principal will created a plan of action; the end result being a change for the greater good of the school. Traditional research usually ends with knowledge gained from others’ expertise, but the action research plan builds upon the knowledge of the researcher. The principal can incorporate the staff in the research process, or choose a inquiry and act on it alone. The principal becomes the lead learner (Dana, 2009) through this process. Action research is an efficient and effective means of gaining knowledge and implementing change on a campus. Sitting in a workshop does not usually give you the means to easily implement what you have heard nor the encouragement to do so. Through action research you can rely on those around you to keep you motivated and vice versa. Your team members can be your office staff, your teachers, your superintendent, your district principals, or you can network with principals in the area schools. However a principal chooses to go about the plan he/she will always follows the steps involved. First inquiry on a specific topic in need of change, create a plan of action, and follow that through. In the end it will lead up to the next inquiry topic, therefore it in an on-going process to help students gain the most out of their school experience. As an educator and possibly an administrator I will be able to use action research to problem solve with in the school. I will be able to fine areas that need improving, gain the knowledge needed to repair any issues and implement the changes needed. I will be able to help the students succeed with everyone in the school working for the common good, and action research will be at the root source of all the greatness.

                                                      

                                                            REFERENCE

Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading with Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as Action

Researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA : Corwin Press.

EDLD Course Reflection

      EDLD 5306 Concepts of technology was my first graduate school course. I envisioned it to be a rigorous learning experience. I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. I had prepared to dive in to technology and fine-tune my skills. We indeed did just that. We dove in head-first and I learned about more aspects of technology than I had ever dreamed. It was a fast paced but very thorough course. The course was laid out in a very detailed manor to allow us to efficiently transition from activity to activity. Through all of the web 2.0 skills that we were exposed to I was able to really get my skills into shape. The WORDLE was a great editing tool, the blog was a great way to learn new forms of communication, and the video was a valuable asset to my skills as well. That being said, the outcome of this course was in perfect sync with my expectations.

     I think I am at a mid-level of knowledge of the activities in the class, and with constant integration in my classroom those skill levels will increase. As I teach pre-k, it is hard to incorporate all that I learned, but through my internship I will be teaching the staff and faculty in my school to utilize the various web 2.0 tools etc. I have collaborated with several teachers already to plan how we will approach integrating more technology into their rooms. Web 2.0 tools have been the main interest to the teachers so far. The special education teacher was the most excited as she is always searching for new ways to motivate the unmotivated. My building principal is all in favor of implementing the new ideas that I have and is anxious to begin seeing results.

      I was able to achieve everything I set out to accomplish for the most part. The one thing that I had a difficult time with was the APA format for writing. I have not been a writer in years and really need to work on that. I have had several blogs and I enjoy carrying a “funny” tone in them. It is hard for me not to include that in my writings, even the assessments. It is my nature to crack jokes during a serious and stressful time. I am working hard at not doing so for these assignments. The technology of this course I feel like I can handle. The scholarly writing will be something that I work on throughout my program. Mrs. Borel gave me many greats suggestions. I plan on working with those suggestions to move forward.

      I felt very successful in carryout the course assignments. They each seemed very daunting at first glance. After taking each assignment apart into smaller sections I was able to breathe and complete each task. I learned very quickly that the key to success was to begin early and plan ahead. I could not have been able to complete the assignments had I waited for the weekend to roll around. The only part of the assignments that discouraged me was the volume. It seemed like a lot at first. But as I stated before I took it slow and it was much less daunting.

      Throughout the five weeks of this course I learned that I have more organizational skills that I had thought. I realized early on that organization was going to be a major factor in the success for the course. I also learned that I am on target with my work, and I possess good leadership qualities. Several of my classmates came to me for guidance, so I am guessing I appeared approachable and helpful. I always feel like people do not take me very seriously, so it was a huge boost to be contacted with questions. I truly hope that I was able to lead them in the right direction. I have become very good friends with one of my classmates and I treasure her friendship. She has been a sense of security in the moments when I didn’t think I could handle to course load. Overall the course was a huge benefit to me and I truly enjoyed being a part of it. I look forward to my next journey!

Last web conference for EDLD 5306

We had our very last web conference for EDLD 5306. It was very emotional for me, as I am completely over-whelmed. I spent the hour crying. UGH! I hate that I do that, but it just happens. I felt better after it was over. OKAY, the problem was....I completed my assignment to find I out I did it the hard way and it would had been impossible to implement the plan. (Although I was a little excited about some of the activities I listed). SO, I re-vamped my assignment and I think I am on the right track. I do believe everyone feels the same as me. I just carry my emotions on my sleeves. Not a good trait, I know! I am very sad that our professor won't be with us any more. I feel as though we are leaving behind part of the group. I do hope she remembers us on graduation day! I will definitely remember her. She made the entire process a little easier. I wish everyone the best and if you are ever in the Beaumont area and want to meet for coffee, shoot me an email. GOOD LUCK IN YOUR RESEARCH CLASS!!!!! WE GOT THIS IN THE BAG!

Web Conference Number Four

On March 17, 2011 cohort 19 had their fourth web conference. Once again my internet was wacky. I will be watching the session once it is posted. We discussed, in depth, the internship journey we are entering. I am really confused at this point. Next week we have to create an internship plan and I have no clue how to do that. The books seem over-whelming. I see it this way...many have done this before me and many will complete the task after me, so I think I can manage. It just seems so foreign to me at this point. We finally got a chance to meet Murrell (and his baby!) Other than the feeling of losing my way, it was a good meeting. Things went MUCH smoother with the technical issues. That was a plus. Well, It's our last week guys. Step it up and ....get r done! Good luck and happy planning.....

Web Conference number three

On March 10, 2011 at 8pm I attended an optional web conference via the adobe connect pro software. I have to say that I really like the connect pro software. It is fairly easy to use and has many nice features. That being said, let's discuss the conference itself.
We all logged on  quite promptly. There were seven of us present. It was a much less formal conference than the ones we have had before. We discussed this weeks assignment and the fact that next week we will need to work on our book review. I am fortunate that I have my book, and completed all of this weeks work. Now I need to finish reading that book.
During the web conference we had several technical difficulties. Everyone was working together to solve the issues. Perks of being in a class filled with technology majors, we can usually solve the issues together. One classmate couldn't get her camera working, so our professor will work with her on that at a later date. I am very curious as to what was causing the problem.
Overall a successful conference and it was nice to see the shiny faces once again. Good luck on  next weeks  work. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

Technology powerpoint

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Technology powerpoint

View more presentations from cstanley429.

National Educational Technology Plan

The Obama administration has set two main goals to be met by the year 2020. They are, "we will raise the proportion of college graduates from where it now stands (39%) so that 60% of our population holds a 2-year or 4-year degree by the year 2020" and "we will close the achievement gap so that all students - regardless of race, income, or neighborhood - graduate from high school ready to succeed in college and careers".

There are five main components that will help local school systems reach these goals. They are in the areas of learning, teaching, assessments, infrastructure, and productivity. The end result is that providing all of the components are well within reach of the local school systems the goals will be met and learners will be successful.

The learning component is geared towards engaging and empowering learners. If we provide students with state of the art technology and the skills in which to use higher order thinking skills the engagement opportunities will be endless. Students need to feel like they are a part of the learning process. The old way was to lecture and take notes. This does not have to be the case any longer. Educators are encouraged to create life long learners no matter what the race, gender, or background is of the learner.

We as educators need to be constantly assessing and measuring skills and academic growth. There are many tools to collect data, and the National Educational Plan encourages the use of this data to create a plan for further enrichment. Data needs to used to promote continuous improvement.

Teachers need ongoing professional development in order to integrate technology to meet the learners needs. The students already know about the technology. Educators need to keep abreast of what is going on with the technology. There are a plethora of tools available, educators need to seek those tools out and fully learn how to incorporate them into their lessons. It doesn't have to be high dollar equipment. Web 2.0 is full of ideas to take advantage of. The technology savvy teacher will be ready to move their students to the next level. For instance, blogging seems like a simple concept. Teachers can use this as a homework tool, a communication tool, and a testing tool. There are many other mediums available to push the student's learning capabilities. Educators need to peruse the different avenues and see which fits their style and students the best. Educators need to do whatever it takes to best connect with the learners.

The infrastructure needs to be reliable in order to best implement technology. It needs to always be ready for the learner to access the wealth of information out there and to be able to collaborate in online learning communities. The infrastructure is important to the learner, but also to the teacher and administrator. It has become an invaluable asset to education and needs to be within reach of every learner at all times.

The productivity in a our schools is something that needs continual growth. The budget is tighter than ever, so we have to look within our systems to increase productivity. If the goal of every child graduating is to be met, organization must be enforced. Educators needs to incorporate learning in every minute of the day. This doesn't mean having the students seated, quiet, and listening. It means they need to be engaged in the learning process; whether that mean creating graphs online in math or learning new scores in the marching band. The idea is to keep the learner motivated and utilize time wisely.

There are many goals and recommendations for the states in the National Education Technology Plan. These are designed to help reach the two ultimate goals. Basically, these goals are in the districts technology plan already. The basic idea is that each state and local entity provide a quality technology driven education to each and every child, and provide teachers with the necessary training to accomplish that. This plan is something districts need to use when creating their own technology plans. It is a thorough document that cover every aspect of education.

Resource:
Transforming American Education Learning Powered by Technology (Atkins, Daniel, et al. 2010)

WISD TECHNOLOGY PLAN

A technology plan is very detailed and many people work collaboratively together to create a document  that represents the entire district. The local districts are required to have a technology plan and actively work to meet the goals.

I teach at Warren Elementary school. We are a small district. There are four schools in our district; one high school, one jr. high school, and two elementary campuses. There were a total of 1223 students in our district when this plan was developed. Fifty two percent of our population was economically disadvantaged. The goal with the technology plan was to bring the 1223 students we had up to date (technology speaking) and get them ready for the world that awaits them from the years 2010-2013.

When making a plan you have to seek out your needs. The needs assessment states that WISD needs to update the network hardware and technology infrastructure. Teachers need to integrate technology into their daily activities, and to effectively do this they must have access to the technology equipment and training necessary to accomplish the integration. The goals stated will all have a common goal; to help the district solve these issues.

WISD has six main goals they are looking at. Each goal has several objectives to meet the main goal. These goals are all designed to help the learner reach his/her highest potential and ultimately be prepared for higher education or the workforce.

The first goal as stated in the Warren ISD technology plan 2010-2013 is "Identify and promote curricula and teaching strategies that integrate technology effectively into curricula and instruction". In order for the district to effectively meet this goal the teachers, technology coordinator, and principals will integrate technology into teaching, increase the use of technology curriculum materials, and monitor TEKS integration. They will show evidence of this by lesson plan documentation, evaluations, observations, and updated STaR Charts. The budget allotted for this goal is $91,000 in the area of teaching and learning.

The second goal in the WISD technology plan 2010-2013 is "Incorporate existing and emerging technology into curriculum and instruction". The superintendent, technology coordinator, network administrator, principals, and teachers will work together to achieve this goal by gaining access to existing and emerging technology, utilizing available hardware and software, continuing integrating technology into the classrooms, facilitating the use of technology in the classrooms to promote higher order thinking skills, provide the distance learning lab for college credit for students and staff, and continue using technology for testing purposes. The personnel will show evidence of these goals being achieved by purchasing new technology for the classrooms, observing the technology in use, lesson plan documentation, and providing a functional distance learning lab. The allotted budgeted amount of $91,000 for the area of teaching and learning is to help achieve these goals.

The third goal in the WISD technology plan 2010-2013 is : "Use the district's electronic resources to provide educational services to the community." The district will use a web page designer, superintendent, technology coordinator, network administrator, and campus principal to facilitate strategies to achieve this goal. They will continue to maintain the district and campus websites, establish list-serves to maintain email communication, provide parent access to pertinent student information, and provide GED training and continuing education opportunities. The district will show evidence of these things by having a current web site, having an active list-serve available to the community, providing online student information to the parents, and offering distance learning classes to the community. The budget shows an amount of $69,000 in the area of teaching and learning to support the third goal.

The fourth goal stated is to "Provide opportunities and support for educators to develop practices in the integration of teaching, learning, and technology. The district will use the technology personnel, and campuses principals to create a comprehensive technology plan, gather information from teachers about their technology skills, promote peer teaching, provide instant and on-going software training. They will show evidence of the for-mentioned by implementing strategies for increased technology use in the classrooms, surveying teachers on their skills and use of technology, having active peer groups, and cooperation among staff, and providing adequate in-service training. There is $160,000 in the budget for the use of educator preparation and development.

The fifth goal is stated is to "Provide and maintain a network that supports the integration of technology into teaching, learning, and school operations". The technology coordinator will form a committee of staff members and community members. The technology committee will review current technology resources, form a technology plan for the years 2010-2013, and work with administration to sustain professional development for all staff. The committee will conduct surveys and meet regularly to complete these tasks. There is $15,000 in the budget to implement this goal.

The last goal stated in the WISD technology plan 2010-2013 is "Increase the availability of specialized technologies for instruction and learning". The superintendent, technology coordinator, network coordinator, and campus principals will help achieve this goal by replacing and repositioning obsolete technology, maintaining a 1:1 workstation ratio for staff, maintaining a 4:1 workstation ratio for students, and increasing the technology available. The evidence for this will be proof of upgraded equipment, appropriate workstation ratios, and new available technologies. There is a $201,000 budget to help achieve this goal.

The total budget for all items involved in implementing this plan is $231,533.00 This includes all equipment, materials, professional development, maintenance, internet access, etc. The budget is the same for all three years.

WISD will implement an ongoing evaluation process. The district will actively monitor all technology implementations. The plan will be revised annually to update any necessary changes. The staff members will be observed and interviewed to find out any problems or concerns. Surveys will be administered and analyzed by the committee to find any area that might show concern.

REFERENCE:

Warren Independent School District Technology Plan (2010)

TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENTS

As the era of technology driven education is in full swing it is imperative that student's skills and knowledge be assessed. Without an accurate representation of where the student's knowledge lies educators cannot raise the bar. The Texas Technology Application Standards states that students must be "technology literate" by the end of their eighth grade. This is a fact that is out there and must be addressed. Assessments need to be in place in order to help the student move further in their technology driven world. There are several ways that assessments can take place. The process can be incorporated into the curriculum of the core subjects. A state wide assessment is also a viable option. However the means of assessing, it is a given that it needs to be done. The world they will enter after high school is a world of high technology. Whether or not the school had ample technology is not a factor; the world does. Also knowing that they will be assessed the student will be more apt to strengthen their skills. The districts' technology plans need to address the issue of assessing student's knowledge. It is critical this day and age that students leave high school feeling very confident in their ability to use technology.

Teachers also should be held accountable for their knowledge and skills in technology. It is included in the new Texas teacher certification exams. But what about the veteran teacher, like myself, who did not have to take that section of the test. At the very least a checklist of knowledge needs to be collected and analyzed in order to provide staff development in appropriate areas. It is a tough task to plan technology workshops when you are uncertain of the skill levels of the participants. The STaR Chart gives a good representation of technology uses and equipment etc. It would be a useful tool in planning, but it needs to be more basic. Specific pieces of equipment, specific software that the school has purchased all need to be understood and used to best of each teachers ability. The tools are steadily becoming available, we need to teach the teachers to use them.

REFERENCES:

Texas STaR Chat: (http://starchart.esc12.net/)

Texas Technology Applications Standards: (http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/ch126.html#s1261)

WEB CONFERENCE NUMBER TWO

    We finished up week one. After attending the first web conference I feel much better about the path that lies ahead. I then attended the second web conference. Everything that felt smooth before is now bumpy and uncertain. Our professor laid out the plan for the entire eighteen month program. Our "internship" was explained in detail to us. I have to read the transcript to make sure I understand this process. It seems like a daunting task, but I am up to the challenge.
    We were instructed to select a mentor to guide us through our internship. Blogs were also discussed. Fortunately I have done several blogs and already know the concept. We have a fair amount of work to accomplish this week and I wish every one the best in getting it all completed.

WEB CONFERENCE NUMBER ONE

     Our first web conference last week was a trial run for the required web conference in week two. We had some technical issues that needed to be resolved. Some freeze frame and sound issues. It was worked out in a timely manor. One by one our fellow scholars began to join the group. We ended up with six if I remember correctly.
     I was thrilled that I got the chance to join the conference. It made the entire process seem a little less daunting. Our professor introduced herself with an exceptional introduction. We then took turns introducing ourselves. I found it fascinating that three of us have four children. To know that others are in similar situations as mine and are tackling the journey seemed very reassuring to me.  Everyone in our cohort seemed to be from different areas (except for two working in the same district.) It makes me wonder how everyone's path led them here.
     I was getting quite over-whelmed before the conference. Engaging with the others in the cohort and visiting with the professor helped calm my nerves a bit. I will have to remember to tackle this one day at a time and breathe. For my fellow cohort 19 members....YOU CAN DO IT!

So I decided to go back to school!

Well, I have tossed around the idea of re-entering the world of learning since the day I earned my Bachelors degree....IN 1997! Yesterday was the day. I mean it was THE DAY I began my journey. Now, I am officially a mom, wife, teacher, daughter, aunt, sister, cousin, AND A STUDENT. So I'm thinking to myself, I am an intelligent person, how hard can this really be? Boy, don't ever think to yourself. You can really get into trouble that way.
     I got my assignments THREE whole days before class started. Oh, by the way. I am earning my Master's Degree in Educational Leadership Technology via online courses. So I am so eager to begin I can hardly stand it. I immediately start my 8 readings for the week. I was completely shocked at how much I enjoyed them. I mean, really, journal articles about computers. But, to my surprise they were quite informative and easy enough to grasp. So I took the after reading quiz and did well on that. No prob...I can handle this.........


WOAH! The first day rolls around. This week I have to figure out things I never heard of....some that I have.

1. How to join and participate in a web conference (on verizon wireless' internet speed...yeah right!)
2. Create a blog...got that going
3. How to download documents and submit them (not a problem)
4. Join, post, do something with a WIKI???? yikes
5. Participate in a discussion board (I can handle that)
6. Research TEKS and Standards

oh I'm sure there's more. I'll keep you updated if you dare to come back!

Happy Tuesday Everyone!