1. Tanya Spurlock
EDLD 5352
12-18-09
Week 5 Assignment: Due by the end of Week 5.
Overview
Throughout this course, we have examined the role and responsibilities of an educational
technology leader in the 21st century information landscape. In Week 1, we looked at
educational technology in terms of the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology, the Technology
Applications TEKS, and the Technology Applications Inventory. Our focus in Week 2 was on
using data to make informed decisions and gathering data on educational technology through
the Texas STaR Charts. Week 3’s focus was on the needs of the “digital natives” we serve,
online learning communities, and expectations for educators. In Weeks 4 and 5, we discussed
online safety and the social, legal, and ethical issues confronting today’s digital-age educators,
students, and parents.
For your Week 5 assignment, you will consider the outcomes of this course and the extent to
which the outcomes will influence your role as an educational technology leader in your school.
Follow these steps to complete your Week 5 assignment:
• Reflect on what you have learned in this course.
• Assume a school leadership role as an educational technology campus facilitator or as
the district educational technology director. From that vantage point, compose a 150-
word response to each of the guiding questions provided, the equitant to a 750-page
paper.
• Write reflectively instead of in question-and-answer style and post in your blog.
• Submit your blog address to your coach after you check the validity of the address.
• Submit your reflections by the end of Week 5.
Submit your assignment by 11:59 PM on the seventh day of Week 5.
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2. Tanya Spurlock
EDLD 5352
12-18-09
Rubric
Use the following Rubric to guide your work on the Week 5 Assignment.
Does Not Meet
Tasks Accomplished Proficient Needs
Expectations

Course Reflection Student composes Student composes Student Student does not
reflection on each reflections on six or composes five or submit the
question of eight seven of the less of the assignment. (0
provided; reflections questions provided; reflection points)
demonstrate extensive reflections questions,
knowledge of course demonstrate and/or
content. This adequate knowledge reflections
document is posted to of course content. exhibit a lack of
the student blog and This document is understanding of
represents an posted to the student course content.
800-1,000-word paper. blog and represents a This document is
(Maximum 8 points) 600 to 800-word posted to the
paper. student blog and
(7 points) represents a 600
or less-word
paper.
(6 point)
Assignment Responses are Responses are Responses do Student does not
Mechanics relevant to course relevant to course not reflect submit the
content; no errors in content; three or knowledge of assignment. (0
grammar, spelling, or fewer errors in course content, points)
punctuation. grammar, spelling, or lack clarity and
(Maximum 7 points) punctuation. (6 depth, and/or
points) include four or
more errors in
grammar,
spelling, and
punctuation,
including APA
errors. (5 point)
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3. Tanya Spurlock
EDLD 5352
12-18-09
Week 5 Assignment: Course Reflections
For your Week 5 assignment, you will consider the outcomes of this course and the extent to
which the outcomes will influence your role as an educational technology leader in your school.
Follow these steps to complete your Week 5 assignment:
• Reflect on what you have learned in this course.
• Assume a school leadership role as an educational technology campus facilitator or as
the district educational technology director. From that vantage point, compose a 150-
word response to each of the guiding questions provided, the equivalent to a 750-page
paper.
• Write reflectively instead of in question-and-answer style and post in your blog.
• Submit your blog address to your coach after you check the validity of the address.
• Submit your reflections by the end of Week 5.
Post your course reflections to your blog site. Please respond to the following
reflection questions:
• What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes?
Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned?
• To the extent that you achieved the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you
do in your school? Why or why not?
• What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them?
• Were you successful in carrying out the course assignments? If not, what prevented or
discouraged you?
• What did you learn from this course…about yourself, your technology and leadership
skills, and your attitudes?
• What is the educational value of blogs and blogging to the 21st century learner?
• What are the concerns of blogs and blogging in education?
• How can you use blogging to communicate with school stakeholders?
Page 3 of 5

4. Tanya Spurlock
EDLD 5352
12-18-09
As a result of this course, I hoped to learn how to be a leader in instructional technology. I
achieved that goal. As a matter of fact, this course went above and beyond what I expected.
When thinking about technology, I only really thought about computers, overhead projectors,
and CD and tape recorders. Through this course, I have learned of the breadth of technology
that is available to our students. Technology consists of hardware, software, PC’s, laptops,
networks, mp3’s, podcasts, blogs, and much more. I also learned that technology makes
education limitless. As the GPISD Technology Director, I will set in motion a culture of
collaboration with the Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts departments to set
forth technology integration into all content areas. Our students need to be prepared for the
global market which is highly digital.
I achieved 95% of this course's outcomes. Each outcome is relevant to the work that I do daily.
Everyday, I use resources such as the Texas Long-Range Technology Plan, and National
Educator Technology Standards, to guide curriculum development for students in GPISD.
Routinely, we hold technology trainings in order to prepare teachers to integrate technology into
teaching. As technology director, I consistently analyze data and surveys, in order to target
student needs which promotes student success. The technology department also evaluates the
implementation of our plan in order to make better future decisions. Mastery of these outcomes
is essential to preparing our students for 21 Century.
The only outcome that I did not achieve is: Facilitate the design and implementation of curricula
and strategic plans that enhance teaching and learning; alignment of curriculum, curriculum,
and assessment; and use of various forms of assessment to measure student performance.
I will continue to gather data in order to help improve next year’s district technology plan. Data,
such as usage reports, test scores, and surveys will help us track growth and target areas of
need for students as well as teachers. This will contribute to the enhancement of teaching and
learning, alignment of technology curriculum, and enhancement of assessments. I wasn’t able
to achieve this outcome during the course, because this outcome requires ample time to
analyze data, develop a plan, and implement the plan.
I was successful in carrying out the course assignments. On the first day of a new week, I
would print out all of my course readings and assignment instructions. At first, I had trouble
printing the articles, but I soon figured it out on my own. I would set goals to have all of the
readings, and postings finished by a certain day. After completing that part, I would then focus
on completing the assignment. Most of the time, I would break the assignment into parts,
assuring that I would be finished on or before the due date. Many times, I worked on my
assignment until around 3:00 am the next day. I work full-time and am a mother of 2 young
children. The course was very demanding, but with determination, I was able to complete it
successfully.
I learned that I had the mind-set that technology isn’t really required, but is a good tool to use
with students. When this course required me to review the Texas Long-Range Plan, I realized
that technology use isn’t an option, it’s a required. The Texas Long Range Plan brought
meaning to why our Campus Technology Specialist offers so many incentives for computer-lab
use, why she does special projects with students before school, and why teachers have to
complete the Texas STaR chart. I realize that I need to use technology in my personal life
regularly, so that I can move closer to becoming a “digital native.” I am in the position to
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5. Tanya Spurlock
EDLD 5352
12-18-09
establish a culture of technology use by modeling technology use and training others to do the
same.
Blogs and blogging are very important to the 21st century learner. Blogs stop learning from only
being limited to school hours. They encourage and motivate our students to work together.
The students love using blogs to collaborate and share ideas with outers. Blogs give our
students practice with writing skills, and also gives them time to reflect on ideas and express
themselves. Blogs play a big part in increasing students’ interests and encouraging class
participation. They give students a sense of ownership and encourage them to take pride in
their work. They are also a cost benefit to our district by reducing paper-use.
Some of the concerns that we have with students using blogs is safety. We have to educate
students on how to keep certain information private. Some students have trouble deciphering
what information is too private to post, so we have trainings that teach students what is and
what is not too much information too share. There is also a concern about our students being
approached online by a user who has the wrong intentions. Our district teachers educate
students on recognizing these signs. Cyber-bullying is also a concern. Our teachers model
cyber-ethics and we expect the students to follow their lead. It is also important to be a
resource for educating parents on what to watch out for. Blogs are very beneficial, but we have
to take the right precautions to ensure our students safety.
Blogging allows me to communicate with an unlimited number of people at one time. This is an
effective way to stay in constant communication with stakeholders. Through blogging I am able
to share the most current information with all stakeholders. The blog allows me to update
information and send it out to my followers. I am able to upload images, presentations, and
video to the blog to share with others. The blogs allows people with a common interest to
communicate about different topics. The blog keeps me connected to the thoughts and feelings
of all stakeholders. It allows me to receive immediate feedback on what I post. Blogging
eliminates the need to meet in one location at a certain time. This tool makes it is convenient
for all stakeholders and allows them to go back and reread any of the previous posts.
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