The entry referring to a book summary is from another Lamar course! That is not pertinent for the present!
Have a great day!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Assignment 3 - Week 2 - Summarize and reflect the goals of the Draft National Educational TEchnology Plan
The goals of the Draft National Educational Technology Plan are very broad. However, they have some of the same verbage, direction, goals and similarities that the Texas Long Range Technology Plan 2006 - 2020 has.
For example, Goal 2 of the Draft National Educational Technology plan states that all teachers will utilize technology and information skills to enhance teacher quality and teacher preparation as they relate to the use of technology in the classroom. 2010-2012 Educational Technology Plan for Albemarle County Public Schools. Retrieved from: http://esblogin.k12albemarle.org/attachments/5b9a7167-5154-44dc-9c77-24cc8cc36f92.pdf
In Texas' Long Range Plan for Technology 2006 - 2020, in the Key area of Educator Preparation and Development, Texas' plan also calls for teachers to use and implement technology in the classroom. Both plans call for development, and training of educators in order for them to be prepared to implement the technology in classrooms.
In the Draft National Educational Technology Plan, Goal 1 addresses that all teachers and students will have available and current access to the internet and have access to information technology in their classrooms, communities, schools, and homes. This goal speaks to the underlying problem, currently, that both the national and state plans face. In order for a district, school, community, and home to be able to even begin to reach Goal 1, they must have easy, reliable, quick, and quality access to the internet. How do we accomplish this in our districts and our schools? We make technology funding and education funding a priority. How do we accomplish this in our communities? We accomplish it by making sure our students have access to technology and the internet in such community places as: libraries; community centers; after school child care centers; and places such as the Boys and Girls Clubs. By making the internet available in these community places, the lack of available internet access in our homes won't be such a hindrance. Our economically disadvantaged students could go to the library; or the community center; or places such as the Boys and Girls Clubs to have access.
I have addressed Goals 1 and Goals 2 in the above paragraphs. Now I address Goal 3. Goal 3 states that all students will have technology and informational skills. How will this goal be accomplished? It will be accomplished in the classroom, community sites, and if possible homes. It's accomplished through a meaningful and unified approach that provide students with the skills that they need to accomplish this Goal. However, in order for this goal to be accomplished, Goals 1 and 2 must be accomplished. In both plans, the National and the State plan, it is assumed that the goals build and scaffold off of each other.
Goals 4 and 5 state that research and evaluation will improve the next generations abilities in technology applications, teaching and learning. Goal 5 states that digital content and network applications will transform teaching and learning. It states that collaboration will help transform teachers and students.
However, both of these goals assume and rely on Goals 1 through 3 being implemented. That means that everyone is working toward all the goals in a consistent manner. If even one entity is not working toward the goals then these goals will not be realized.
For example, Goal 2 of the Draft National Educational Technology plan states that all teachers will utilize technology and information skills to enhance teacher quality and teacher preparation as they relate to the use of technology in the classroom. 2010-2012 Educational Technology Plan for Albemarle County Public Schools. Retrieved from: http://esblogin.k12albemarle.org/attachments/5b9a7167-5154-44dc-9c77-24cc8cc36f92.pdf
In Texas' Long Range Plan for Technology 2006 - 2020, in the Key area of Educator Preparation and Development, Texas' plan also calls for teachers to use and implement technology in the classroom. Both plans call for development, and training of educators in order for them to be prepared to implement the technology in classrooms.
In the Draft National Educational Technology Plan, Goal 1 addresses that all teachers and students will have available and current access to the internet and have access to information technology in their classrooms, communities, schools, and homes. This goal speaks to the underlying problem, currently, that both the national and state plans face. In order for a district, school, community, and home to be able to even begin to reach Goal 1, they must have easy, reliable, quick, and quality access to the internet. How do we accomplish this in our districts and our schools? We make technology funding and education funding a priority. How do we accomplish this in our communities? We accomplish it by making sure our students have access to technology and the internet in such community places as: libraries; community centers; after school child care centers; and places such as the Boys and Girls Clubs. By making the internet available in these community places, the lack of available internet access in our homes won't be such a hindrance. Our economically disadvantaged students could go to the library; or the community center; or places such as the Boys and Girls Clubs to have access.
I have addressed Goals 1 and Goals 2 in the above paragraphs. Now I address Goal 3. Goal 3 states that all students will have technology and informational skills. How will this goal be accomplished? It will be accomplished in the classroom, community sites, and if possible homes. It's accomplished through a meaningful and unified approach that provide students with the skills that they need to accomplish this Goal. However, in order for this goal to be accomplished, Goals 1 and 2 must be accomplished. In both plans, the National and the State plan, it is assumed that the goals build and scaffold off of each other.
Goals 4 and 5 state that research and evaluation will improve the next generations abilities in technology applications, teaching and learning. Goal 5 states that digital content and network applications will transform teaching and learning. It states that collaboration will help transform teachers and students.
However, both of these goals assume and rely on Goals 1 through 3 being implemented. That means that everyone is working toward all the goals in a consistent manner. If even one entity is not working toward the goals then these goals will not be realized.
Assignment - Week 2 - Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020
How do planning and standards help us know? How does a state help assist a district in knowing what students and teachers should know and be able to do?
First of all, the Progress Report on the Long Range Plan for Technology is an exhaustive look at where we were; where we are; and where we want to be. Hence, the term Long Range Plan. The plan maps out, in great detail, the expectations for the state of Texas' educators, campuses, and districts. After reviewing the progress report, it's obvious, that no district, campus, or educator should have any doubts or questions about the expectations in the area of technology. There is a plan in place and this plan is the way the State of Texas has assisted districts in the area of what educators and students need to know.
Just as the state has mapped out, in the curriculum area, what objectives students must know, and what objectives educators must teach in the academic content areas, ( and this too is exhaustive ), in grades K - 12, the state has initiated the same type of goals, objectives, and expectations in the area of technology.
The way the state assess progress in the academic content areas is through the TAKS tests. The way the state assesses the Long Range Plan for Technology is through the STAR Chart.
We need planning and standards for the area of technology so that we can know what areas we need to focus on for training and implementation.
Case in point: On our campus in the key area of Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Support has been a developing tech for the past three years. By analyzing the data, on our progress in this area, we must ask ourselves some hard questions. Why have we not moved out of the developing tech designation in this area? Why has this our designation for the past three years. We need for leadership to examine the District's Training Plan, and see where we need to add training for our leadership, so that we can move out of the developing tech designation into the advanced tech designation. Any training, on our campus for these leaders, must be valid, reliable, consistent and instructed with fidelity.
When examining these types of areas, in the progress report, we can see issues and areas where we have improved, and then areas where we need to improve.
First of all, the Progress Report on the Long Range Plan for Technology is an exhaustive look at where we were; where we are; and where we want to be. Hence, the term Long Range Plan. The plan maps out, in great detail, the expectations for the state of Texas' educators, campuses, and districts. After reviewing the progress report, it's obvious, that no district, campus, or educator should have any doubts or questions about the expectations in the area of technology. There is a plan in place and this plan is the way the State of Texas has assisted districts in the area of what educators and students need to know.
Just as the state has mapped out, in the curriculum area, what objectives students must know, and what objectives educators must teach in the academic content areas, ( and this too is exhaustive ), in grades K - 12, the state has initiated the same type of goals, objectives, and expectations in the area of technology.
The way the state assess progress in the academic content areas is through the TAKS tests. The way the state assesses the Long Range Plan for Technology is through the STAR Chart.
We need planning and standards for the area of technology so that we can know what areas we need to focus on for training and implementation.
Case in point: On our campus in the key area of Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Support has been a developing tech for the past three years. By analyzing the data, on our progress in this area, we must ask ourselves some hard questions. Why have we not moved out of the developing tech designation in this area? Why has this our designation for the past three years. We need for leadership to examine the District's Training Plan, and see where we need to add training for our leadership, so that we can move out of the developing tech designation into the advanced tech designation. Any training, on our campus for these leaders, must be valid, reliable, consistent and instructed with fidelity.
When examining these types of areas, in the progress report, we can see issues and areas where we have improved, and then areas where we need to improve.
Assignment - Week 2 - Blog Posting # 1 - Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020: Teaching and Learning; Educator Preparation and Development; Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support; or Infrastructure for Technology
Is there value in assessing an educator's technology Leadership, Knowledge, and Skills? What are the pros and cons of technology assessment in this area?
Yes, of course, there is value in addressing educator's technology, Leadership, Knowledge, and Skills. There are a variety of reasons for assessing educator's skills in the area of technology. One reason is that in order for an eductor to implement technology in the classroom, with their students, the educator must be proficient with said technology. The educator needs to be trained in this area. They need to be trained on an in depth, ongoing, regular basis. We expect educators to be trained in order to instruct students. On an ongoing, consistent basis, these educators are assessed in their Leadership and Skills in the classroom. This is done through PDAS on a regular basis. Therefore, we should also expect that educators will be trained and then assessed on their technology skills in their classrooms.
Also, in order for educator's to be proficient with their technology skills, they need feedback. Assessing these skills can be as simple as doing walkthroughs regularly, and then providing constructive feedback to the educator. By giving the educator ongoing, constructive feedback, the educator can move dorward to a higher level in their technology skills.
The above are the pros of assessing educator's Leadership, Knowledge and Skills in the area of technology leadership in the classroom. I believe in order for the educator to reach mastery in the area of technology they must be trained and then assessed with constructive, consistent feedback on a regular basis.
The cons of assessing teacher's in this area are that any time teachers are assessed a variety of problems arise. One such area of concern is that the educator's stress and anxiety level will be heightened when they know they are going to be assessed for anything. When their stress and anxiety levels are heightened, they become a little resistant to what you are asking them to do. They then, might see, the area, in this case technology, as one more thing being forced upon them to do in their classroom. One more thing they are going to be evaluated on. Also if the campus leadership does not train their staff on an indepth, ongoing, consistent basis, they might not feel comfortable enough to use these tools in their classroom, especially knowing that they are going to be assessed. Therefore, it's improtant to train the staff so that thye have a certain comfort level in order to implement in their classrooms.
Overall, it's important to train staff and then assess them; train some more; assess....As I said it should be something that's done on a continuous basis.
Yes, of course, there is value in addressing educator's technology, Leadership, Knowledge, and Skills. There are a variety of reasons for assessing educator's skills in the area of technology. One reason is that in order for an eductor to implement technology in the classroom, with their students, the educator must be proficient with said technology. The educator needs to be trained in this area. They need to be trained on an in depth, ongoing, regular basis. We expect educators to be trained in order to instruct students. On an ongoing, consistent basis, these educators are assessed in their Leadership and Skills in the classroom. This is done through PDAS on a regular basis. Therefore, we should also expect that educators will be trained and then assessed on their technology skills in their classrooms.
Also, in order for educator's to be proficient with their technology skills, they need feedback. Assessing these skills can be as simple as doing walkthroughs regularly, and then providing constructive feedback to the educator. By giving the educator ongoing, constructive feedback, the educator can move dorward to a higher level in their technology skills.
The above are the pros of assessing educator's Leadership, Knowledge and Skills in the area of technology leadership in the classroom. I believe in order for the educator to reach mastery in the area of technology they must be trained and then assessed with constructive, consistent feedback on a regular basis.
The cons of assessing teacher's in this area are that any time teachers are assessed a variety of problems arise. One such area of concern is that the educator's stress and anxiety level will be heightened when they know they are going to be assessed for anything. When their stress and anxiety levels are heightened, they become a little resistant to what you are asking them to do. They then, might see, the area, in this case technology, as one more thing being forced upon them to do in their classroom. One more thing they are going to be evaluated on. Also if the campus leadership does not train their staff on an indepth, ongoing, consistent basis, they might not feel comfortable enough to use these tools in their classroom, especially knowing that they are going to be assessed. Therefore, it's improtant to train the staff so that thye have a certain comfort level in order to implement in their classrooms.
Overall, it's important to train staff and then assess them; train some more; assess....As I said it should be something that's done on a continuous basis.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Completely an Understatement
Have you ever read something, or listened to someone and thought....wow...that's so true? Have you thought, that's exactly how I feel but have never put my feelings into words?
I have been reading two books simultaneously. One, Poverty is Not a Disability; and the other Teaching with Poverty in Mind. The first book is for my Diverse Learners class. I don't know what the required reading was for Poverty is Not a Learning Disability...because once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. I heard about the other book, in a staff development training and since this topic is a passion of mine...I bought it and started reading it...so it's like Zanadu!
I heard, in college, about Mazlow's Hierarchy of Needs. http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/regsys/maslow.html
The premise is that the most basic of needs are paramount. These needs are our physical needs; hunger, thirst, comfort, bodily comfort etc. That hit me in the most deepest place. As a child, I didn't have to worry about the physical needs...my parents provided them. However, when I became an educator...I noticed something...even though some might say I was raised in Pleasantville...and everything was la la all of the time ( of course it wasn't) I realized that not EVERYONE had the privilege of being able to have the most basic needs met. So therefore, if a child comes to school hungry; tired; uncomfortable...then the LAST thing they would be worried about was...learning...the first thing they would be worried about was meeting these basic needs. So this fact drove all of my instruction. I made sure that every day we had a snack with our math instruction...I called it Snack Math - just as when my husband and I had four kids and we were broke as a joke and all we had money for was hot dogs...( I made a big deal out of them and called them Holly Dogs...oh you are so lucky tonight! We are having Holly Dogs!) I made sure that our math instruction included a healthy snack of some sort...I used the snack as a math manipulative...because what I realized was that even though someone might be on free and reduced breakfast...if their parent doesn't get them to school on time...or to the bus on time...they don't eat breakfast. I also realized that the meals they get at school are sometimes all they get to eat...so shouldn't those meals be the most wonderful thing you could ever imagine?
Anyway, although this thinking might not fit into everyone's world of reality...it's reality. We are losing many of our kids because of their life circumstances. We are trying to use the same old tried and true methods that we've always used and we can't do it...we have to think!
Mazlow - physical needs first
Second- safety needs - wow doesn't that hit home?
Third - Love and belonging
Finally - Esteem issues...
I know it's a very difficult task to meet a child's needs...all of them...but if they come to us broken...and needing these needs met - then that needs to be Job 1....then we can get down to the business of learning...if we don't change our thinking...well what did Einstein say? The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results?
I have been reading two books simultaneously. One, Poverty is Not a Disability; and the other Teaching with Poverty in Mind. The first book is for my Diverse Learners class. I don't know what the required reading was for Poverty is Not a Learning Disability...because once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. I heard about the other book, in a staff development training and since this topic is a passion of mine...I bought it and started reading it...so it's like Zanadu!
I heard, in college, about Mazlow's Hierarchy of Needs. http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/regsys/maslow.html
The premise is that the most basic of needs are paramount. These needs are our physical needs; hunger, thirst, comfort, bodily comfort etc. That hit me in the most deepest place. As a child, I didn't have to worry about the physical needs...my parents provided them. However, when I became an educator...I noticed something...even though some might say I was raised in Pleasantville...and everything was la la all of the time ( of course it wasn't) I realized that not EVERYONE had the privilege of being able to have the most basic needs met. So therefore, if a child comes to school hungry; tired; uncomfortable...then the LAST thing they would be worried about was...learning...the first thing they would be worried about was meeting these basic needs. So this fact drove all of my instruction. I made sure that every day we had a snack with our math instruction...I called it Snack Math - just as when my husband and I had four kids and we were broke as a joke and all we had money for was hot dogs...( I made a big deal out of them and called them Holly Dogs...oh you are so lucky tonight! We are having Holly Dogs!) I made sure that our math instruction included a healthy snack of some sort...I used the snack as a math manipulative...because what I realized was that even though someone might be on free and reduced breakfast...if their parent doesn't get them to school on time...or to the bus on time...they don't eat breakfast. I also realized that the meals they get at school are sometimes all they get to eat...so shouldn't those meals be the most wonderful thing you could ever imagine?
Anyway, although this thinking might not fit into everyone's world of reality...it's reality. We are losing many of our kids because of their life circumstances. We are trying to use the same old tried and true methods that we've always used and we can't do it...we have to think!
Mazlow - physical needs first
Second- safety needs - wow doesn't that hit home?
Third - Love and belonging
Finally - Esteem issues...
I know it's a very difficult task to meet a child's needs...all of them...but if they come to us broken...and needing these needs met - then that needs to be Job 1....then we can get down to the business of learning...if we don't change our thinking...well what did Einstein say? The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results?
Monday, August 9, 2010
Judgments! Beware
Where do I begin? Have you ever made a snap judgment? Or have you ever just made a judgment based on prior knowledge, or prior experiences? Have you ever gone into an experience, with a preconceived notion and idea of how everything was going to be? Have you ever met someone and told your self…I don’t like this person…at all and I never will? And then…have you ever had all of those preconceived notions, ideas, thought processes, experiences, mindsets, opinions, and beliefs totally turned on their head? Well if not, then I don’t know who you are! That’s what happened to me through this course.
Before I began this course, I was told, by my son who is an administrator, that this would be the worst course I had to go through. Now, my son did not go through Lamar’s program. He went through another program at another University. So, at that point, the stress level…was EXTREMELY heightened. I am a perfectionist. I am always in competition with one person…myself. I have to do everything the right way or it upsets me and stresses me out. Now, this is only WORK RELATED! I was the same way in school. I am not the same way in my personal life. We raised four children and those perfectionist tendencies were pushed by the way side by the time the second child was two. I give everyone many, many chances, but not myself. I give myself no chances…I must do it right the first time. I must make an A. My work must be of the upmost quality. So you can imagine how I felt just by hearing the word Research.
I also, knew that I was going to be out of the country for two weeks during the middle of this course. I was attending a wedding and this could not be avoided. So there was even more pressure. I had to make sure I had taken care of everything before I left.
Well, the first week, I did two weeks worth of work. I worked for over 60 hours that week. And during that time, my mindset changed! I was scared to death when I learned we had to create a blog. My daughter in law has a blog; Oprah has a blog; but I just didn’t see how I could create one. But the course was laid out so beautifully, that all my apprehensions begin to evaporate as I got into the course. The first week’s lecture and readings illuminated to me what Action Research is. The assignment asked that we explain what Action Research is. Well, I had to go through some wonderings, questionings and research to find out what Action Research is…this was a wonderful place to start. Through the assignment and the discussion board, I learned a lot about what Action Research is and I embraced Action Research because it’s not done in a stuffy ivory tower…it’s something impactful that can help you change the lives of your school community; it involves collaboration and teamwork…it’s not conducted in a vacuum…so it’s very person centered and person oriented. This is who I am and what I believe…so I jumped right on board! I was excited to know that there was something out there that fit me to a tee…fit who I am and what I believe. Sometimes we think, are we the only ones that can see this? Well, I realized through the readings; assignment; videos; and discussions that no, I am not the only one who sees how to effectively affect change!
Throughout weeks two through four, I lumbered along, learning more, tweaking more, becoming more illuminated…and that culminated with this week.
I love the discussion topic this week. What is your greatest insight? It caused me to stop and think…and think…and think. Thankfully some of my cohorts had already jumped into the discussion and as I read what they wrote I realized that not only did I come to a great insight, I had, through this course, specifically the blogging and discussions, had a life changing event.
I comprehended that, as a group, we had gone through this course together. As a group, we had shared a lot. We are a very diverse group; and…WE HAVE NEVER MET! One would think that in order to collaborate; to come to a consensus; to learn, etc…one would need to be in a room with that group and know them intimately…well that’s not the case. We all have differences; we all have differing viewpoints on many things…but through this course we collaborated and learned so much from each other. After grasping this, I thought, well if we can do this in this forum, this format, what is going to stop us, at our campus, from coming to the same wonderful consensus? Nothing! So I learned something that will carry with me for the rest of my life. If we listen, we embrace other viewpoints (not agreeing but embracing) if we are open minded, we can collaborate in a beautiful way; we can learn together and become something great. So I say thank you.
Before I began this course, I was told, by my son who is an administrator, that this would be the worst course I had to go through. Now, my son did not go through Lamar’s program. He went through another program at another University. So, at that point, the stress level…was EXTREMELY heightened. I am a perfectionist. I am always in competition with one person…myself. I have to do everything the right way or it upsets me and stresses me out. Now, this is only WORK RELATED! I was the same way in school. I am not the same way in my personal life. We raised four children and those perfectionist tendencies were pushed by the way side by the time the second child was two. I give everyone many, many chances, but not myself. I give myself no chances…I must do it right the first time. I must make an A. My work must be of the upmost quality. So you can imagine how I felt just by hearing the word Research.
I also, knew that I was going to be out of the country for two weeks during the middle of this course. I was attending a wedding and this could not be avoided. So there was even more pressure. I had to make sure I had taken care of everything before I left.
Well, the first week, I did two weeks worth of work. I worked for over 60 hours that week. And during that time, my mindset changed! I was scared to death when I learned we had to create a blog. My daughter in law has a blog; Oprah has a blog; but I just didn’t see how I could create one. But the course was laid out so beautifully, that all my apprehensions begin to evaporate as I got into the course. The first week’s lecture and readings illuminated to me what Action Research is. The assignment asked that we explain what Action Research is. Well, I had to go through some wonderings, questionings and research to find out what Action Research is…this was a wonderful place to start. Through the assignment and the discussion board, I learned a lot about what Action Research is and I embraced Action Research because it’s not done in a stuffy ivory tower…it’s something impactful that can help you change the lives of your school community; it involves collaboration and teamwork…it’s not conducted in a vacuum…so it’s very person centered and person oriented. This is who I am and what I believe…so I jumped right on board! I was excited to know that there was something out there that fit me to a tee…fit who I am and what I believe. Sometimes we think, are we the only ones that can see this? Well, I realized through the readings; assignment; videos; and discussions that no, I am not the only one who sees how to effectively affect change!
Throughout weeks two through four, I lumbered along, learning more, tweaking more, becoming more illuminated…and that culminated with this week.
I love the discussion topic this week. What is your greatest insight? It caused me to stop and think…and think…and think. Thankfully some of my cohorts had already jumped into the discussion and as I read what they wrote I realized that not only did I come to a great insight, I had, through this course, specifically the blogging and discussions, had a life changing event.
I comprehended that, as a group, we had gone through this course together. As a group, we had shared a lot. We are a very diverse group; and…WE HAVE NEVER MET! One would think that in order to collaborate; to come to a consensus; to learn, etc…one would need to be in a room with that group and know them intimately…well that’s not the case. We all have differences; we all have differing viewpoints on many things…but through this course we collaborated and learned so much from each other. After grasping this, I thought, well if we can do this in this forum, this format, what is going to stop us, at our campus, from coming to the same wonderful consensus? Nothing! So I learned something that will carry with me for the rest of my life. If we listen, we embrace other viewpoints (not agreeing but embracing) if we are open minded, we can collaborate in a beautiful way; we can learn together and become something great. So I say thank you.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Posting of Action Research Plan
My action research plan.
Click on the above link for my action research plan. Kudos and thanks to Richard Keithley for his detailed instructions as to how to link this! I would have NEVER figured it out.
Just to update: My computer now works; I got my car back today - son's truck is still smashed...yeah I destroyed two vehicles in one fell swoop...therefore last week I was a little off...
I feel like I am back among the living...all of my Lamar friends and I am glad...hated the way I felt last week!
PLEASE read and comment on my plan...I would love all comments and feedback!
My plate is full but I am raring to go!
Click on the above link for my action research plan. Kudos and thanks to Richard Keithley for his detailed instructions as to how to link this! I would have NEVER figured it out.
Just to update: My computer now works; I got my car back today - son's truck is still smashed...yeah I destroyed two vehicles in one fell swoop...therefore last week I was a little off...
I feel like I am back among the living...all of my Lamar friends and I am glad...hated the way I felt last week!
PLEASE read and comment on my plan...I would love all comments and feedback!
My plate is full but I am raring to go!
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