The document is a reflection from a student on a course about instructional leadership and technology. Some key points: - The student wanted to learn more about implementing technology in the classroom beyond just research and PowerPoint. They also wanted to learn about data programs to supplement what their district currently uses. - They felt they achieved most of their goals and learned the importance of using technology in the classroom frequently. They realized they need to model technology use for students rather than just discussing it. - One area they still wants to learn more is Microsoft Excel, as they believe it will be important for their future as an administrator. They also wanted more information on data programs mentioned by peers.

1. Course Reflection I was a little surprised when I learned that this class was on technology, with the title Instructional Leadership. I was excited to learn all I could about technology. This is a real weak area for me. I am a pretty fast learner, but I fit the stereotype of most teachers and definitely speak the immigrant language. There were several outcomes that I envisioned for this course. I wanted to learn as much about technology as I could. I am a sponge when it comes to technology. One specific outcome was to learn ways to implement technology into the classroom besides research on the Internet and PowerPoint. I also wanted to learn about different programs that were out there to supplement AEIS. The last thing that I wanted to become more proficient in was Microsoft Excel. I feel that I achieved most of the outcomes that I envisioned. I learned so much from reading the articles. I also liked viewing the round table discussion during week three. After watching the round table discussion, I really began to understand the importance of using technology in the classroom as much as possible. The biggest outcome that I learned in the course was the importance of technology in our classrooms. It is very relevant that we use technology in our schools. When I read about students having to “turn off” their knowledge of technology to come to school, it made me realize that I am probably one of those teachers that does that to their students. This really bothered me. I am going to be looking for technology professional development classes in the near future to learn as much as possible. I am on the SBDM Committee and I am going to recommend that we have more professional development on technology. I want to make the point that I would like for it to be ongoing throughout the year. It is my goal to integrate lots more technology into my classes this second semester of the school year. It will take lots of research for me to find and test my ideas that I would like to use. It will be worth it and it will pay off in the end because I know my students will be more involved in their learning. The learning will be student-centered. I wanted to learn more on Microsoft Excel. We did not have any assignments on this. I know I will have to use Excel when I become an administrator. I know the very basics of Excel and would like to get more in-depth training on the program. Reading the discussion posts from my peers, there were a lot of data programs that were mentioned and I have never heard about any of them. I would like to have had more information on these data programs. They sound fantastic and I began to wonder why my district does not use them. We use AEIS for data and that is about all. I interviewed my principal and he was able to give me examples of what other teachers were using in their classrooms with technology. We have two technology teachers in our building and he suggested that I speak with them about what they teach the kids and what the students are able to accomplish in the semester that they are in their classes. I was disappointed after interviewing our technology director. He was not very specific on the questions that I asked him. To give him the benefit of the doubt, he is new to the technology director position this year. I was successful in carrying out each assignment. I really enjoyed creating a blog. I have friends who use blogs personally, but I have never ventured down that row. It was very simple. I also enjoyed making the PowerPoint presentation on the STaR chart. I have always wondered why we fill that chart out each year. It was interesting to learn the specifics on the chart. I realized that our school needs lots more training in technology after analyzing the STaR chart. Developing the action plan in week four was the most difficult assignment. I was not sure what the instructors wanted the action plan to look like. After viewing some of my peers’ plans, they were all formatted differently, but the information was all similar. It was comforting to get my grade back on week four’s assignment. When I complete my assignments, I make sure that I follow the rubric exactly so I can make sure I am getting full credit for the assignment. The biggest thing I learned in this course was my attitude about technology. I realized that I need to be constantly using it in my classroom. I don’t need to be using it; the students need to be using it. I may be opening up to the idea of allowing students to use cell phones to assist them. I am not there yet, but let me read more research on classes and schools that use them in the classrooms. If they are using them successful, I may get on board with the idea. I am not sure it will ever happen in my district, but who knows. I knew that my technology skills were low, but I was able to learn quickly and enjoyed learning the new information. I learned that I can learn this stuff and be successful in it. I need to be sure to continue to taking courses in technology to learn new concepts and to enhance what I already know. I learned that, as an administrator, I need be sure to model the use of technology and not just talk about it. I need to lead by example. Students are already blogging, so let’s use what they already know to enhance learning. One of the most beneficial ways a blog can increase educational value is using them as a collaboration tool. Blogs can be used to bring people from outside the classroom into the classroom. Students and teachers can interact with primary sources. They can communicate with authors, veterans, students from across the state, country, and world, and various other sources. The classroom can become a very interactive place to learn. Students can use blogs as digital portfolios. This could be very helpful in high school. Students can collect their work and start preparing for college applications, especially military academies. An example given in our reading was using blogs for reinforcing reading and pronunciation skills. Blogs can be used for mentoring teachers. Mentor teachers and first year teachers can reflect on how things are going in the classroom. I would like to use blogs next semester in my advanced class. I would like to begin discussions on the development of democracy. Starting with Ancient Rome and Greece and finishing up the year with current issues and democracy. I would like to involve legislative leaders from our area and state. Blogging, like everything else, has its concerns. The biggest problem would be protecting the students from online predators. This is a serious concern. This issue has to be addressed and students need to be taught how to protect themselves on the Internet. We cannot assume that parents are teaching this, we must teach the students. We also need to teach students proper cyber-ethics. Another concern is working with policies and making sure we are staying within Acceptable Use Policies. The policies may have to be re-vamped or even thrown out and rewritten. With the change in technology and online tools, Acceptable Use Policies are out of date. Another concern is that not all students have computers and/or access to the Internet at home. I would like to use blogs as an extension of the classroom. This will take some planning to figure out what to do with students who do not have access to computers. It will work; I just need to collaborate with my colleagues on this issue. Blogs can be used to communicate with all stakeholders. One of the biggest complaints we receive from parents is that they did not know that something was happening at school. Events that are not always communicated home include parent conferences, PTA meetings, report cards sent home, etc. This can be solved by posting information on blogs. Schools can infuse blogs into their websites and keep up to date information on the blog. Individual teachers can post important dates and information on the blog and all can access the information. Teachers can post assignment dates, upcoming activities for classes, and student’s work. Schools can post updated information that needs to be distributed to stakeholders. Parents, students, and community members can access the blog to be updated on all information. Blogs are so easy to update that it is not time consuming. PTA can also post information on the blog. Principals can communicate with teachers on blogs as well. They can do a book study and have discussions on the blog. This allows for teachers to do it on their own time. Other professional developments can be completed using blogs, especially on-going professional developments.