Monday, February 20, 2012

WEB conference

Reflection-
I attended a web conference last week. I find this method to be an excellent collaborative and learning tool for the Graduate Program. Any confusion pertaining to class expectations is addressed immediately.
One of the conference participants provided a website where technology can be used interactively among students. The gist is that students' mobile devices can be transformed into clickers. I think this is a great idea, however it does require exercising superb classroom management.
I read through other web conference transcripts.  Information I gained was related to graduation and certification. Certification requirements were addressed. I'm glad these conferences are held and personally believe they provide vital information and resources.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Tech Action Plan

Action
Time Frame
Resources
Responsible Person(s)
Activity and Evaluation
Provide Eduphoria training/update to all teachers
This should take place in early April and continue through upcoming year. This should be completed by August 2012.

Eduphoria software

Time during Professional development timeframes

Campus Technology Specialist

Dean of Instruction

Department Heads
Teachers will participate in a mandatory Eduphoria training. If previously trained, a refresher course must be taken.
Provide training on basic web page setup and maintenance
This should take place in early April and continue through upcoming year as necessary.
Teacher laptops

Time during Professional development timeframes

Campus Technology Specialist

Teachers will be given training and tips necessary for web page maintenance.

 All teachers will be required to have a page created with certain features within a week from training.
Organize a technology support team 
Establish by the end of current school year
2011-12
One member from each core area

Campus Technology Specialist

Volunteers that can help troubleshoot any issues that might arise within the department. 

The support team will create and agree on process for responding to concerns from staff members.
Teachers will be introduced to the support team and process for reporting assistance needed.
Web 2.0 skills
development and
implementation
This should take place in early April and continue through upcoming year as necessary.
STaR Chart Results

Teacher laptops

Free websites recommended by district technology specialists
Campus Technology Specialist

Volunteers – any teacher


The technology specialist will analyze STaR Chart results and provide teachers with ideas/lessons on technology integration.
Devote time to two technology sessions per six weeks
This should take place in April and continue through upcoming year.
Teacher laptops

Time designated for this purpose
Campus Technology Specialist

SBDM

Dean of Instruction
An agreement will be reached by administration on devoting time to this initiative.
Teachers will attend scheduled technology sessions twice a six weeks during the staff development time.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

STAR Chart 101

Click on link to access:

http://www.slideshare.net/82eleon/star-chart-week2b

Texas Long Range Plan for Texas

Reflection: Administration and Instructional Support
The vision for this area is to meet the demands of the 21st century by equipping student with adequate    skills. In order for this to be accomplished administrators must first become equipped with 21st century skills followed by exercising numerous deliberate practices in order to facilitate achieving the set goals.
       Over the past five years, I have observed an increase in technology usage in all aspects of education. Within the district, all teachers have been equipped with a laptop in order to fulfill student management duties such as attendance and grading records. Lesson planning is also facilitated through this resource and instructional tool. My campus has had one hundred percent of  classrooms equipped with a document reader and projector for the past five years. Additionally, there are numerous interactive pads available for instructional use. There are currently five interactive boards regularly utilized on campus. Most recently all formal and informal observations by administrators have been further facilitated through the use of iPads and Eduphoria software. Teacher feedback is available immediately through these tools.
Also, our district promotes teacher websites. This is a practice that has lost momentum due to new assessment and graduation requirements. However, this is a useful vehicle for promoting communciation and awareness.
A trend I am seeing at all levels is social/professional networking. The state serves as a prime example by creating the networking site, Project Share.  This is a professional networking site and resource center.
Recommendations to improving this area are based on skills being modeled by leaders. Also, encouraging and supporting colleagues within the profession to pursue staff development in this area is vital.