EDLD 5326 School Community Relations Reflection

EDLD 5326  School Community Relations was a very insightful and informative class. I can truly say that I learned alot, and that I will be able to use alot of the information for my action research, which actually deals with parental involvement. I attended several web conferences for this class, and as always they proved to be very informative, but also repetitive at times due to the fact that everyone is concerned about TK20, ILD, and LCE. My concern during this class was that most of the time the links for the web conferences where wrong, that I have no records for the web chats, since they dissappeard along with previous announcements from the Epic homepage, and that I still don't know which question I got wrong on my MidTerm.
Dr.Jenkins and Dr. Abernathy as always did an outstanding job, and I am blessed to have such wonderful teachers, Thank you!!

Web Conference Reflection

The January 29, 2012 web conference was a very informative session for me.  I had attended a web conference for my previous class, so I was familiar with it and knew what to expect.  I found it wonderful however, to have to chance to not only talk to Dr. Abernathy, but to Dr. Attaway as well. These web conferences are so valuable to me, because I get to ask questions and receive information which I would miss otherwise.  It is a great help with clarifying assignments!   On January 29^th, many students were attending a web conference for the first time, and had problems getting their audio and video to work, so many classmates had to resort to good old typing in order to participate. Many had questions about our second assignment and the class wiki, also the meaning of Web 2.0 Tools was an eye opener for many, since  most of us, including myself, had no earthly idea of what that meant and entailed. Many of us, including me, liked to get a head start on our assignments and worked ahead by downloading all the assignments as soon as they were posted in Epic, but it became painfully apparent that this was not a good thing, since the assignments were outdated and the weekly overview had the most recent instructions and assignments which we needed to follow.  Thank God for those web conferences to clear up any confusion!!!!! The discussion board posting also presented a lot of questions for many students, since some were still under the impression that they had to respond to each article and reference at least three quotes.  We also got this cleared up and everyone was happy to hear that only one quote had to be referenced and a well developed response written.  Questions about the LCE were raised and answered, not only by Dr. Abernathy and Dr. Attaway, but also by classmates.  I have attended several web conferences since that particular one, and I am glad to have participated in all of them, since something new is brought up each time.  Thank you so much for all your help Dr. Abernathy and Dr. Attaway, it is greatly appreciated.  Thank you my fellow classmates, I have learned a lot from your discussion board postings and video chats. Thank you Dr. Eaton for keeping us up to date.

My blog URL is  http://rs-garrett-frenz.blogspot.com

My blog name is: Ruth’s Presentation of the Texas STaR Chart and

                               Ruth’s First Action Research

Posted on 2/19/20012

Time: 7:10 P.M.

The Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020

 The Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020

Educator Preparation and Development

Educator Preparation and Development according to the Texas Long Range Plan requires that, all educators:

·         graduate from and educator preparation program that models current technology in instructional and administrative practices PreK-12.

·         Exit educator preparation programs knowing how to use technology effectively in the teaching and learning process.

·         Develop new learning environments that utilize technology as a flexible tool where learning is collaborative, interactive and customized.

·         Ensure integration of appropriate technology throughout all of curriculum and instruction.

The progress of our campus is at the Developing Technology stage according to the Texas Star Chart, and has meandered there for the past three school years.  This seems to be a trend statewide according to the Texas Star Chart Statewide Summary Data Sheet. The trend for our campus seems to be heading in the right direction as we went from a total point value of 11 in the 2009-10 school year, to a 13 point total value in the 2010-11 school year. If we as a district and campus continue to strive for excellence in technology and are supported with ongoing professional development in this area, I strongly believe that we will achieve an Advanced Technology rating in the 2011-12 school year.

To reach the goal of the Texas Long Range Plan by 2020 schools need to “ensure that all educators understand the importance of learning about educational technology and the possibilities of its use”  (Texas Education Agency, 2006). They also “must be given the knowledge, skills and tools they need, [in addition to the professional development]… to teach teachers how to transform their teaching and learning, to renew and invigorate their passion for teaching, to acquire the new pedagogical and technology skills they must have, and understand how to successfully integrate technology into instruction, across the curriculum, at all grade levels” (pg. 24).

If all this can be implemented and accomplished, then our students will be prepared to meet the challenges of the 21^st century and an ever changing job market.

Works Cited

Texas Education Agency. (2006, November). Long-Range PLan for Technology 2006-2020. Retrieved Janurary 22, 2012, from www.tea.state.tx.us: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/technology/lrpt/lrpt_lrpt.html

EDLD 5352 Week 4

Week 4 Assignment, Part 2: Professional Development Planning

Using the campus and district improvement plans, and any suggested technology improvements, develop professional development activities that include the following:

·         Reference analysis and lessons learned about the technology needs from the Week 3 report;

·         Addresses professional development designed to improve the gathering, analysis and use of data from a variety of sources;

·         Includes professional development to improve decision making in the integration of technology with instructional and organizational leadership.

Professional Development

Activity	Person Responsible	Resources	Timeline	Outcome
Analysis of the STaR Chart and the Campus Data Needs Assessment	Librarian (Campus Technology Specialist), Principal, Assistant Principal Teachers	Computer Labs, online access, Printout of Campus STaR chart, individual Teacher STaR chart, Long Range Plan for Technology (LRPT), CIP, AEIS	March, 2012 ongoing. Data analysis will be continuous.	Teacher will be able to interpret their technology needs according to the STaR chart, and evaluate what training is needed to achieve the goals of the LRPT.  Teacher will interpret and analyze data to make informed decisions to improve student performance.
Teacher will fill out a technology survey to determine their level of technology usage and receive training from the basics on how to operate hardware to advanced technology applications depending on their individual level of capability.	Librarian (Campus Technology Specialist), Computer Technician, Technology Teacher. Teachers	Survey created by the Technology Dept., three computer labs. Online access, Software ranging from: Gradebook for beginners to Web 2.0 Tools for advanced.	May, 2012- ongoing.	Teachers will be able to use technology with ease, improve and increase technology usage in their classroom and integrate technology into their lesson plans.
Administrators, Teachers and Counselors will receive training on how to create and use Blogs as a means to enhance their use of technology and to become a learning community.	Librarian (Campus Technology Specialist), Computer Technician, Technology Teacher. Teachers	Three computer labs, online access, Web 2.0 Tools, Handouts with instructions on how to create a blog.	May, 2012 - ongoing	Teachers will use blogs to share lessons, solve problems, communicate, post news.
Teachers will review Copyright Guidelines, and receive instruction on how to teach cyber ethics and online safety to students.	Librarian (Campus Technology Specialist), Principal, Assistant Principal	Library, PowerPoint presentation, Handout of Copyright primer for administrators,	August 2012	Teachers will be prepared to instruct students in the correct use of citations, copyright legalities, ethical online behavior and safety.
Teachers will receive initial/ongoing training in the use of Eduphoria to analyze student data, and to create reports.	Dept. Heads, Librarian (Campus Technology Specialist)	Computer Labs, online access	August, 2012 ongoing as needed	Teachers will be able to track students progress, identify areas of strength and weakness

Works Cited

LA Feria ISD. La Feria ISD Technology Plan, 2009- 2012. La Feria, TX: La Feria Independent School District.

School, W. G. W.B. Green Jr. High School Campus Improvement Plan, 2010-2011. La Feria, TX.: La Feria Independent School District.

Texas Education Agency. (2006, November). Long-Range PLan for Technology 2006-2020. Retrieved    Janurary 22, 2012, from www.tea.state.tx.us: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/technology/            lrpt/lrpt_lrpt.html

Week 4 Assignment, Part 3: Evaluation Planning for Action Plan

The technology action plan integrating instructional an organizational leadership must include evaluation components that provide measurable outcomes designed to address the following:

·         Uses data and other analysis from the Week 3 report, including using the campus and district improvement plans, and local or state technology plans;

·         Provides assessments and/or monitoring reports measuring professional development designed to use technology to improve the gathering, analysis and use of data from a variety of sources;

·         Provides assessments and/or monitoring evaluating professional development to improve decision making in the integration of technology with instructional and organizational leadership.

Evaluation

Activities	Responsibility	Assessment
Teachers will use AEIS, CIP, and STaR chart data to improve and focus their instruction on identified areas of need.	Teachers, Dept. Heads, Principal, Assistant Principal.	Benchmark results, AYP, AEIS and STaR chart report.
Teachers will create Lesson Plans which include the use of technology	Principal, Assistant Principal.	Administration will conduct walk-throughs to observe how technology is being used in the classroom, PDAS.
Establish a campus learning community using blogging.	Teachers, Dept. Heads, Counselor, Assistant Principal, Principal.	Principal and Assistant Principal monitor blog postings at regular intervals and respond to blogs.
Teachers educate students about cyber ethics, online safety and online copyright guidelines.	Teachers, Librarian (Campus Technology Specialist)	Teachers and Librarian will monitor students computer usage, and evaluate computer generated reports and research created by students.
Teachers will receive training in the use of Eduphoria.	Dept. Heads,	Teachers will create reports, disaggregate student data, analyze areas of strength and weakness and discuss student achievement during department meetings, and use data to improve instruction.

Works Cited

LA Feria ISD. La Feria ISD Technology Plan, 2009- 2012. La Feria, TX: La Feria Independent School District.

School, W. G. W.B. Green Jr. High School Campus Improvement Plan, 2010-2011. La Feria, TX.: La Feria             Independent School District.

Texas Education Agency. (2006, November). Long-Range PLan for Technology 2006-2020. Retrieved    Janurary 22, 2012, from www.tea.state.tx.us: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/technology/            lrpt/lrpt_lrpt.html

Organizational Chart

Please take a look at my other blog named Ruth's Presentation of the Texas STaR Chart. Thanks!

My Personal Reflections for EDLD5301

Through the lectures and required readings in this course I learned that action research is a reflective practice, which allows me to think critically about my own practices in order to bring about change which is necessary to improve our school environment. In action research a question is posed based on a "wondering" and listening to Dr. Chargois, Johnny Briseno and Dr. Kirk Lewis helped me to see how the “wondering”  will develop into action research.

The assignments seemed overwhelming at times, but as it turned out they provided me with much needed practice for self-reflection.  Still, I find the reflection part one of the most difficult areas for me.

The discussion where very informational and I gained a lot of insight into what others are doing for their research and their feedback is a tremendous resource.  I enjoy going back to read what others wrote for their discussions, which in turn helps me.

Blogs can be a great resource for educators. Creating the Blog was a scary thought at first, but after posting to the blog a few times, it became easier and easier. I enjoy receiving comments on my blogs and I have also posted feedback on several other blogs.  Blogs can be used to discuss a wide variety of topics, and are a powerful tool for collaboration among students and professionals alike. I hope that I can find others that are engaged in the same kind of research as I, and share my concerns, activities and findings with them.

The web conferences were great, because I was able to ask many of my questions and concerns regarding the action research, assignments, TK20 just to name a view.  I was able to get clarification on some of the requirements and hear what others had to say.  It also provided me with a chance to meet other classmates and interact with them.