Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Web Conference Reflection
Unfortunately, due to my internship activities, I am never at home during the scheduled times. I read the chat script for the most recent web conference. The chat script left me incredibly confused. I have many of the same questions regarding graduation, taking exams, and our action research plans. I see the questions posted; however, I could not follow where the answers were provided. To be very honest, it was a little frustrating. I have not had much contact with Lamar or an advisory. My original advisor left very soon into the program, and I have been working through the courses somewhat blindly. I have one more course to complete and then my comprehensive exam. I still need to complete my action research and complete TK20. While I have been completing logs and reflections, I have not submitted anything to TK20. I might delay taking my last course in order to make some progress on my action research and portfolio.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Teaching and Learning
As educators, our primary concern should be teaching and student learning. Ultimately, learning is the goal of schools. The state of Texas understands the importance of technology and education. There are numerous applications for technology in the classroom. Technology can make teachers more efficient, students more engaged, and community members better informed.
The Texas School Technology and Readiness (STaR) Chart evaluates technology implementation within schools. The STaR Chart uses four key areas to evaluate progress. I believe that Teaching and Learning is the most important area of the four. Teaching and Learning evaluates six sub-areas. These sub-areas include patterns of classroom use, frequency/design of instructional setting, content area connections, technology applications TEKS implementation, student mastery of technology applications, and online learning. My campus has made some improvement in Teaching and Learning. My campus earned a cumulative score of 15, garnering an Advanced Tech designation. The lowest sub-area score is online learning. My district has not embraced online learning. There are numerous professional development opportunities within the district, and teachers have been reluctant to participate in online learning ventures. The second lowest sub-area score is in content area connections. My district is beginning to create technology professional development specific to content areas. I believe this will help increase scores in this sub-area. In the state of Texas, campuses overwhelming earn a Developing Tech designation.
I believe teachers would most benefit from opportunities to collaborate with common content area teachers. Many teachers across the district are incorporating technology in new and innovative ways. These teachers should have the opportunity to share their knowledge and success. We have the resources within my district, we need to create a forum to although teachers to collaborate and learn from each other.
The Texas School Technology and Readiness (STaR) Chart evaluates technology implementation within schools. The STaR Chart uses four key areas to evaluate progress. I believe that Teaching and Learning is the most important area of the four. Teaching and Learning evaluates six sub-areas. These sub-areas include patterns of classroom use, frequency/design of instructional setting, content area connections, technology applications TEKS implementation, student mastery of technology applications, and online learning. My campus has made some improvement in Teaching and Learning. My campus earned a cumulative score of 15, garnering an Advanced Tech designation. The lowest sub-area score is online learning. My district has not embraced online learning. There are numerous professional development opportunities within the district, and teachers have been reluctant to participate in online learning ventures. The second lowest sub-area score is in content area connections. My district is beginning to create technology professional development specific to content areas. I believe this will help increase scores in this sub-area. In the state of Texas, campuses overwhelming earn a Developing Tech designation.
I believe teachers would most benefit from opportunities to collaborate with common content area teachers. Many teachers across the district are incorporating technology in new and innovative ways. These teachers should have the opportunity to share their knowledge and success. We have the resources within my district, we need to create a forum to although teachers to collaborate and learn from each other.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
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