EDLD 5352 Course Reflection

Following the conclusion of this course, I envisioned that I would understand the responsibilities of administrators when it comes to the implementation of technology in the instructional and managerial programs. Also, I hoped to learn about technology tools that I had not yet been exposed to, the technology standards for administrators, internet safety, and copyright laws. Other expected outcomes included discovering how to build an effective infrastructure to support the needed technology and how to acquire the funding to do so. All of the above mentioned outcomes were satisfied with the exception of how to attain funding. This course has been my favorite due to the fact that the majority of the outcomes have relevancy in my current position.
Creating the blog, analyzing the information from the STAR chart, and participating in “The Last Byte” protocol for discussion were the three most important assignments in relation to being a technology facilitator. I learned who to effectively post information in a variety of formats onto the blog. I posted through typing, posted through using a slide show converter program, and also discovered how to export Microsoft Word documents to the blog through conversion. Being able to solve technology issues, encouraged me to continue to work with technology in order to increase my productivity and effectiveness. Additionally, analyzing the STAR chart data through the creation of a power point allowed me to understand the current landscape of technology usage and needs at my school. By realizing these needs, I can more effectively focus my work at the school as a technology facilitator. Moreover, participating in the discussion allowed me to truly see how other people view the changes that technology is causing in our schools.
The fact that I myself am considered a Millennial has definitely helped with the fact that I am ready, willing, and able to participate in a digital classroom environment. I have discovered that connecting my students through the use of technology has peaked my interest. Though I have already used tools such as Edublogs, Glogster, and Diigo, I am interested in working on a Wiki and podcasts. From classroom experience, I have noted that I have the patience to work with the available technology tools and that I am able to alter the activity if needed when/if it does not work out. Additionally, I have discovered that I am willing to take leadership roles, when it comes to technology, such as the digital classroom that I am piloting in my school with the assistance of an instructional technology facilitator. I find satisfaction in assisting others with creating lessons using technology and doing infrastructure based tasks, such as wiring a SMART Board to a laptop, projector, and document camera. The most important realization I have uncovered is the need to journal, reflect, and share my thoughts and experiences. Not everyone is as willing to attempt to use technology to the same extent. If I reflect and record what worked and what didn’t work with my students, then the other teachers would be more willing to attempt to use the tools themselves.
For the 21st century learner, blogging is an invaluable tool to their educational career. Collaboration is key to a more effective education, but we need to move beyond the classroom. No longer are students restricted to collaboration within the classroom walls. In today’s global technology based society, we now have the power and ability to connect our students with the students in the next classroom, the next school, across the state, across the nation, and even across the world. From using this tool, students will learn not only how to interact properly which will translate into needed skills for their future careers, but also they will be exposed to a larger pool of ideas and beliefs which will serve to spread their horizons to make them global and open-minded members of society. We owe it to our students to prepare them to the best our ability for their future. The future is changing, so what and how we teach has to change too. Blogging is just one tool among many that will allow us to meet the needs of our 21st century learners.
Providing access to students for blogging is both an exciting and daunting task. My main concerns, as a technology specialist, include privacy and security. Many questions have to be addressed such as: Who and how will have the rights to write on the blog? Also, who and how will we monitor what is written? To navigate these difficulties, we must first integrate Cyber ethics material into our set curriculum. Our students must be taught how to collaborate online effectively and the consequences that will be occur if it is not followed. Teachers need to first come up with a plan about how they want to use the blog with their students. Once this is established, a representative from the technology department will come to the classroom to assist in the process of registering students and starting to blog. While this is taking place, the instructional technology facilitator will be also teaching the students about Cyber ethics so that they know what they are being held accountable for when they are online blogging.
Blogging to communicate with stakeholders can provide a new dimension to building productive and meaningful partnerships. Using this tool, increased collaboration can occur which will lead to more effective decision making. By posting topics or questions on the blog, stakeholders can then respond in a conversation format. Not only does this provide us with a record of what has been stated, but it also affords more people the opportunity to have their “voices” heard. Moreover, blogging with stakeholders reduces the need for having face-to-face meetings which are hard to schedule and can often last longer because participants get off topic. By utilizing the blog the conversation is focused and stakeholders can contribute whenever is most convenient for them. Blogging could be extended to so many aspects of district communication, such as sharing lesson ideas, how technology is incorporated, and sharing resources, all of which would benefit our students. Due to the growing number of benefits, blogging to communicate with stakeholders is something that should be happening across the nation.