Six+Courses

As I think back on the past 18 months, I realize that I have accomplished a great deal. I remember why I decided to pursue this endeavor. I wanted to provide the best instruction available for my students. I wanted to learn how to integrate technology into my classroom and then share what I have learned with my team and campus. I wanted to know how technology could enhance my instruction and engage my students. So I enrolled in the Leadership Technology course offered by Lamar University. My first course of instruction spoke about the Star Chart. A special online resource tool called the Texas Teacher Star Chart which has been used for the past two years to assist all Texas teachers in self-assessing efforts to effectively integrate technology across the curriculum (Texas Education Agency, 2006). This was amazing for me, because I often wondered why each year teachers were required to complete this evaluation. Today, because of this course, I learned why it was necessary to complete this evaluation and I was able to share this information with my team. ** EDLD 5364-Teaching with Technology ** I found that EDLD 5364 Teaching with Technology to be an eye- opening experience. I actually never completely realized the impact that technology has on our lives. Technology has touched almost every part of our lives, our communities, and our homes. (Edutopia). I now fully understand what integrating technology into classroom instruction means. I learned early in the course that teaching with technology or integrating technology into the classroom is more than assigning students to a computer and just having them write reports. According to Edutopia effective technology integration must happen across the curriculum in ways that research shows deepen and enhance the learning process. I absolutely agree with experts that now stress four key components. These components must be supported before learning can occur: active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction, and connection to real-world experts. I read an article earlier in the course which spoke of project learning as the new way to give classroom instruction. I completely support this method because I have seen it work in my classroom. The students are completely engaged, as well as intellectually challenged, during project learning activities. The use of the World Wide Web provides many resources and it provides the classroom with interesting, diverse, and the most current learning materials. However before we can truly integrate technology into Americas classrooms we must Bridge the Digital Divide for Educational Equity Mason and Dodds (2005). **  EDLD 5306-Concepts of Educational Technology   ** The next course that I found helpful was EDLD 5306 Concepts of Educational Technology. In this course I learned something that I had been wondering about for some time and that was why in my district we were mandated to complete a survey instrument called the Star Chart. We were never given any instructions other than we needed to complete it because the information is sent to the state. When I asked other teachers why we had to complete this I was told because the principal said so and not to create waves. What do you think the topic during my first course was? Yes, the star chart and why it was important. After the first week of the course I was able to explain to my team and campus the purpose of this instrument. The course also addressed the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology. It helped me to understand how to disaggregate, interpret and evaluate data. I found this so helpful for another reason. I had just been selected to the campus improvement team and one of the tasks was to disaggregate the previous year’s TAKS data. **  EDLD 5363-Video Technology and Multimedia   ** The next course that helped, and I enjoyed, was EDLD 5363 Video Technology and Multimedia. This course involved the use of team work. We were tasked to produce a Public Service Announcement which focused on a school topic. I basically learned the video production process. At the onset of this project I was a little hesitant, because I would be working with students I did not know and students who had different work ethics. I can say, however, we all worked together beautifully and the collaboration was priceless. I think we produced a very impressive PSA. I liked the fact that this was another course where I could share what I learned with my campus and team. We produced a PSA about internet safety using a rap entitled “Be Careful What You Click”. **  EDLD 5366-Desktop Publishing   ** The next course was EDLD 5366 Desktop Publishing. Here again was another course that I found very useful. We have a new principal who would like for each department to produce a newsletter so that parents are informed about what happens on a daily basis in the school. For me that was no big deal, because I had already started a small newsletter for the social studies department. However this course helped me to understand what it takes to produce a quality document. The course helped me to understand color and how to format a very professional newsletter. In my department I shared what I learned with my team and I can say it is very impressive. **  EDLD 5362-Information Systems Management   ** EDLD 5362 Information Systems Management was another course that I found informative. Many educators probably pay very little attention to this tool until they realize what this system consist of. At my district we utilize a system from the Educational Service Center called RSCCC (Regional Service Center Computer Cooperative) where we are able to access student data, record grades, report attendance to The Texas Education Agency, and provide a parent portal. What I have found in my district is that there are not many people who have been actually trained in the use of the system. Most learn as they go by trial and error. There is no training or professional development provided for new teachers. When I once asked to see the manual, everyone looked at me as if I had grown a second head. It makes me wonder who decided on what system was going to be used in the district and why. That’s probably why my district uses the system from the Region Service center; they deem them trustworthy and experts. There was very little I can share with my team but nonetheless the course was informative. **  EDLD 5365-Web Mastering   ** The last of the six is EDLD 5365 Web Mastering. I found this course to be very informative and it explained the responsibilities of the Web master. This course allowed me to evaluate our school site and take a look at what is contained in our technology handbook for the district. I was also able to produce a set of rules and procedures for the use of student computers and the use of computers for staff. I’m sure very few staff read these rules and I obtained a copy from the web site. I explained the rules and procedures during a team meeting and they were shocked with what some of the items stated. They also realized what could cause trouble if rules were violated. I also explained to the team that safety on the use of the internet was the responsibility of us all and how important it is to teach this to students and to inform parents of internet safety.
 * Six Courses   **