1. Kristine A Shipp EDLD 5352 EA 1164 December 16, 2009 Outcomes I envisioned for this course would include the opportunity to gain a broader perspective of how to assess, implement, and monitor technology advancement in the classroom. In conjunction with this vision, I also desired to achieve a greater overall perspective concerning guidelines and criteria for technology implementation on the state level as well as the district level. As a “digital immigrant”, I had hoped to gain knowledge on how to successfully relate to the “digital native” and increase my personal technology skills as a whole. I am confident I gained a tremendous amount of new knowledge during the span of this course and am well on the way to achieving those outcomes. I comprehend the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology and the importance it plays within our school district. I understand how to assess the information found within the Campus STaR chart and how it relates to technology application within my campus. I am savvier with technology tools such as Blogs, Wikis, and RSS. In retrospect, the actual course outcomes did align with those I had envisioned. One of the outcomes addressed was to gain a broader perspective of how to assess, implement, and monitor technology in the classroom remains relevant. Utilizing the data gathered from the Campus STaR Chart demonstrated our campus is mainly in the Early Tech to Developing Tech stages. Based on that information, I would provide additional staff development in the weakest areas. I would also provide monitoring and support to ensure the teachers are implementing technology based instruction with a greater level of comfort and ease. The Campus STaR Chart provides the ability to assess weak areas in technology efficiently and accurately as it encompasses responses from a multitude of professionals. The outcome I did not achieve satisfactorily would be acquiring an acceptable comfort level using Blogs, Wikis, Podcasting, Social bookmarking, and RSS. Unfortunately, lack of time prevented me from achieving this goal as each of these technology tools possesses many capabilities. In order to fully understand their full potential, it takes time to experiment. My vision in the future would be to access these technology tools and discover how to effectively utilize them. I was successful in carrying out the course assignments. I grasp how technology and information systems are used in identifying campus curriculum, instructional and professional development needs through means of data analysis such as AEIS, AYP, and STaR Chart, reports to board, and needs assessment. I recognize how technology is being used to deliver and enrich instruction through the use of OdysseyWare, United Streaming, Earobics, Read180, FASTTMath, SmartBoards, and other programs. Though at times I found several of the assignments to be extremely frustrating, I was able to complete and submit them on time. The assignments I found to be most challenging revolved around the applications side such as the PowerPoint presentation and Blog. I reaffirmed prior knowledge that I am a “digital immigrant” not a “native immigrant”. I learned that I can be pushed outside my comfort level and attain success. I understand that in technology situations, I currently am mainly the student and not the teacher. My students have more knowledge concerning Blogs and other social networking tools than I do. Technology is here to stay and we must embrace all aspects of technology in order for our students to be successful and remain safe. My technology and leadership skills require more training and experience. I understand the relevance of the data and its impact on instruction along with professional development. I need to understand the application side of technology better in order to assist teachers through the implementation stage. I am comfortable that as a leader, I will be able to implement technology effectively and efficiently throughout the campus. The real significance of blogging exists in its power to help people develop their knowledge, which extends beyond the point on our educational systems. Many types of Blogs emerged which produced a variety of online information sharing. Blogs provide current, up-to-date, and helpful information on an array of different topics. Many classroom textbooks contain outdated material and by blogging the 21st century learner can locate current, accurate facts in a fraction of the time. Blogs may also be utilized in discussion between classmates within their school and/or with schools in other states or countries. Blogs can be a means for an author to participate in a classroom discussion concerning their books. Student safety is a main concern with blogs and blogging in education. As a district we have many policy and procedures to protect students’ identities and blogging is a public forum. As teachers, we need to become role models and teach students how to stay protected through clear policies. Students need to be taught the safe way to use Blogs by not sharing personal information to the Web. Teachers should monitor Blogs to make certain students do not use them in an inappropriate way and model the significance of blogs as learning tools. In addition, many districts Acceptable Use Policies are outdated and need to be reworked which again restates the need for clear policies. Blogging can be used to communicate with parents and students in many ways. Blogs can be utilized to share news and events happening at the campus or within the district. This strategy is a quick and easy way to keep a school community informed about upcoming events, extracurricular activities, menus, and other reminders. Blogs can also be used for progress monitoring. This would consist of giving stakeholders a progress update concerning ongoing activities such as new curricula, PTO issues, new faculty, and other school initiatives. Blogging this information would help build relationships between the stakeholders by keeping them informed of current progress. Blogging creates a bond between the campus and the stakeholder as it creates and information highway.