Saturday, March 19, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
EDLD 5352, Reflection of Web Conference, March 12, 2011
I participated in the Web Conference on Saturday morning. There were 56 people involved in the discussions, and at times, it was difficult to keep up. As Dr. Abernathy stated in the beginning of the session, please do not play with the buttons! This made it hard to keep up with the questions and what everyone was typing as the screen expanded and then resized. Also, the mic’s gave problems occasionally, sound could be heard and then would cut out, along with static. Once this was fixed, it became easier to continue. I didn't know alot about web conferencing before. This is my 2nd conference to attend. There was a lot of communication between students, asking and answering questions before Dr. Abernathy could read them (as well as myself). It was very fast-paced. It was important to be focused and keep up. At times, it was difficult to keep up with so many questions at the same time. Overall, this is a VALUABLE tool as the communication feature, which allows for quick response and immediate feedback with all involved in the sessions. This enables the learning community to become stronger through the exchange of ideas and questions/answers. As I have read the transcripts that have been posted from previous weeks, some of the questions became redundant (about readings, syllabus, discussion board, etc.). As Dr. Abernathy stated about the courseware, this is not uploaded by Lamar and some files are wrong in that the upload from previous classes are used instead of updated files. They are doing their best to correct/keep updated information available. For assignments, she stressed to “Google” everything! It is virtually easy when using this tool to find information. For Action Plans for Week 4, use Google to view examples. We need to create something unique that fits our situation. As the session continued, I was typing a question to pose and I was exited from the session. I logged back in and was accepted, and as this happened another time, I tried one more time to finish up the session, got in right at the end, and now it was time for “play” with the buttons – microphone, etc. I scrolled back to read what I missed and had to keep going back and forth to follow. I found it hard to follow along as I am given a small screen that I’m not sure how to expand. A few more tries may be helpful! I think it would be beneficial for everyone to attend a Web conference as others have the same questions that I have. It became frustrating, however, when there was side talk not pertaining to the discussions at hand, which led to much more scrolling, losing my place, etc. There was also alot of discussion to clarify the week 4 assignment and other questions pertained to testing for LCE and ILD. Confusions for me were the many questions going back and forth, repeated questions, and skipping around which became hard to follow as well. However, overall, I do believe that web conferencing is valuable with immediate feedback and learning. It may be interesting to try this through texting, as I am sure the capabilities are there. With students so tech savvy, this is the way to go!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
The Texas STaR Chart
ECMS has a strong infrastructure and foundation in place. Improvements in classroom technology provides opportunities for all to grow, learn, and surpass in becoming 21st Century learners.
the texas star chart
More PowerPoint presentations from Linda
Friday, March 4, 2011
Reflection on Draft Plan of the National Educational Technology Plan: Transforming American Education -- Learning Powered by Technology
The National Educational Technology Plan describes how education impacts success in America. Education is a priority and a driving factor in attaining a good job and achieving high incomes. The Technology Plan focuses on two goals, the first states that “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”; the second stating that “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.” These goals set high expectations for 21st Century learners in five specific areas: learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure, and productivity. First, learning demands both learner and teacher to focus on individual needs, motivation, and engaging in unique learning experiences. Effective use of technology is essential to gaining knowledge and reaching their goals set forth. Next, assessment provides a basis for continual learning, analysis, and determination of strengths and weaknesses that can be supported and maintained through proper channels to maintain a balance. Teaching uses technology to connect teachers and learners with abilities to access data and resource tools. Technology is a key component of teaching. Educators must be open to change and improvement in order to support students and facilitate learning. If there is no willingness to change, then gaps in development will prevent improvements in learning and instruction through technology. The proper Infrastructure, the next area, is crucial to provide resources and support necessary for growth in our technological society. This provides teachers and students constant access to tools 24/7, supporting learning in various ways to share, obtain, and apply knowledge when needed. These areas are all essential in improving productivity by using the technology in developing a more efficient and effective educational system. Professional development will enhance our current classrooms, providing teachers with training necessary for utilizing tools and resources to their fullest potential to educate our students.
By supporting student learning in all areas that are of real concern or particular interest to them, personalized learning adds to its relevance, inspiring higher levels of motivation and achievement in the learners of our 21st Century. As educators, we are responsible for providing students with these tools to become more able to adapt to our globally digital world. It is also our responsibility to stay abreast of the current technology so that we engage our students in higher-level productivity and efficiency and proper uses of technology. It will be interesting to see where the technology we now use leads us in the future.
Atkins, D. E., et al. (2010). Draft Plan of the National Educational Technology Plan: Transforming American Education, retrieved March 2, 2011 from
http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/NETP-2010-final-report.pdf
By supporting student learning in all areas that are of real concern or particular interest to them, personalized learning adds to its relevance, inspiring higher levels of motivation and achievement in the learners of our 21st Century. As educators, we are responsible for providing students with these tools to become more able to adapt to our globally digital world. It is also our responsibility to stay abreast of the current technology so that we engage our students in higher-level productivity and efficiency and proper uses of technology. It will be interesting to see where the technology we now use leads us in the future.
Atkins, D. E., et al. (2010). Draft Plan of the National Educational Technology Plan: Transforming American Education, retrieved March 2, 2011 from
http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/NETP-2010-final-report.pdf
Reflection of Progress Report: Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020
The progress report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology contained very detailed information in the outline of progresses made in each area of technology applications through the use of technology both at home and in the classroom to determine the impact of technology on student achievement and enhancements to learning. This plan is instrumental in promoting life-long learning for students, educators, and parents in Texas. Several mandated pilot programs were discussed, including Technology Immersion Pilot (TIP) which engages students through the use of technology and monitors progress as well as challenges; the Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN) offers opportunity for online learning. These programs I may have heard of before, but did not know the purpose. Now I understand better the development to enhance student learning. While the Progress Report also provided details of the four areas of the Long Range Plan for Technology with detailed descriptions of technological advances and improvements in each, it also discusses how technology impacts learning, including implementing interactive online resources and programs. The information displayed here as well as in the STaR Chart provides the progress of Texas schools and teachers in meeting technological goals along with NCLB requirements of implementing technology TEKS in the curriculum. In the area of Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Support, our ESC’s provide professional development support through online, regional network, and network partners. As stated by one district administrator in the TIP, “what our philosophy is…is this is all about student learning. This is about professional development, changing the way teachers teach, and helping students learn in the best and most effective way…” (Progress Report, 2008, p. 13). As technology is ever changing in our lives, education must embrace the changes and incorporate various means of technologies to support learning, communication, and increase student achievement. This plan provides opportunities for ongoing learning through technology
Texas Long Range Plan for Technology: Opinion Piece on Teaching and Learning
The Teaching and Learning area of the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 focuses on ensuring that all students are successful as a life-long learner, communicator, and contributing member of our 21st Century society.
Technology Applications Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) define what students need to know and be able to do in our information-based economy. As technology is ever-changing, students require these TEKS to meet their needs technologically, focusing on connections to student’s lives, real-life problem-solving skills, critical thinking and collaborative learning. Technology integration allows all students equal access to a quality education, “transforming the teaching process by allowing for greater levels of interest, inquiry, analysis, collaboration, creativity, and content production” (Long Rangel Plan for Technology, 2006-2020, p. 18). Furthermore, the technology is there for the teachers to support their efforts in teaching and learning as well. At the state level, Texas has taken great effort to provide all students with technological skills for success in our digital world. The majority of our state educators are still in the developing stages of being facilitators, mentors, and learners; progress is being made in the right direction. My campus does a great job of utilizing electronic resources for formative and summative evaluations as we monitor student progress, growth, and trends, with data available 24/7. Technology has become the communication tool for all schools, and implementation is an ongoing project; technology is critical in the success of our leaders of the future. Reflecting on teaching and learning, I realize how students are actively involved in the learning process. We, as educators, must afford students opportunities to help us learn together through technology. Change is inevitable; there will always be resistance. Although there are challenges that impact the teaching and learning process, curriculum alignment and flexibility to new teaching methods will ensure the integration is effective as we move forward and allow students to help us change with the demands of technology and the advances.
Technology Applications Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) define what students need to know and be able to do in our information-based economy. As technology is ever-changing, students require these TEKS to meet their needs technologically, focusing on connections to student’s lives, real-life problem-solving skills, critical thinking and collaborative learning. Technology integration allows all students equal access to a quality education, “transforming the teaching process by allowing for greater levels of interest, inquiry, analysis, collaboration, creativity, and content production” (Long Rangel Plan for Technology, 2006-2020, p. 18). Furthermore, the technology is there for the teachers to support their efforts in teaching and learning as well. At the state level, Texas has taken great effort to provide all students with technological skills for success in our digital world. The majority of our state educators are still in the developing stages of being facilitators, mentors, and learners; progress is being made in the right direction. My campus does a great job of utilizing electronic resources for formative and summative evaluations as we monitor student progress, growth, and trends, with data available 24/7. Technology has become the communication tool for all schools, and implementation is an ongoing project; technology is critical in the success of our leaders of the future. Reflecting on teaching and learning, I realize how students are actively involved in the learning process. We, as educators, must afford students opportunities to help us learn together through technology. Change is inevitable; there will always be resistance. Although there are challenges that impact the teaching and learning process, curriculum alignment and flexibility to new teaching methods will ensure the integration is effective as we move forward and allow students to help us change with the demands of technology and the advances.
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