This course taught the student about new technologies available for classrooms and schools. They learned about tools like blogs, social media, and online portfolios that can be used for learning. The student realized their school was behind on technology use and they have more to learn themselves. However, the course helped them feel better prepared to lead technology integration as an administrator and understand the importance of continued professional development on new tools.

1. EDLD 5352 Instructional Leadership: The Technology Link
To be perfectly honest, I really had not envisioned any outcomes for this course at the
beginning. After I started, I began to envision learning about all the new technology that is available.
I most certainly achieved that! Through the readings, discussions, and videos, I discovered a world of
technology that I didn't know existed. I knew that my school was behind in technology, but I didn't
realize how much. There is so much technology out there that I know about now that my school
could benefit from. For example, keeping an online portfolio for every child would be awesome. I
also learned more about social networking. I never would have started a blog if it had not been for
this class. Until now, I had thought of blogs, twitter, facebook, etc. as something frivolous and useless
for the classroom. I know better now. These social networks are not just for fun. They can be used
for learning in the classroom, even the elementary classroom. I also began to envision how much of
an impact the right kind of technology could have in and out of the classroom.
I believe that the outcomes of this course are very relevant to the work that I do in school. The
kindergarten students I taught nine years ago are different from the ones I teach now. My current
students are technology saturated. They know how to start and navigate the web sites I allow them
to go to whereas my students from nine years ago never were allowed to access the web. Each year
my students get more tech smart. In some ways they know more than I do. My cell phone is what
one called a "dinosaur." I don't know how to work new touch screen cell phones and some of my
students do. In the technology age that we are living in, we all must continue to learn about and
implement new and beneficial technology. I realize that I have a long way to go, but because of this
course I feel better prepared to face all the technology out there.
Since I really had no outcomes at the very beginning, I don't feel that there were any that I did
not achieve.
I was successful in carrying out the course assignments. This time of year is extremely busy in
a kindergarten classroom and I found myself bringing home a lot of things to complete at home which
took away from my online time. It was a little difficult for me to balance work, home, and coursework
this time. I was late on my 4th assignment because of this. Several days would go by without me
checking my email which ultimately resulted in this assignment being late. It was my own fault for
which I take full responsibility.
This course taught me a lot about myself. I thought I was fairly competent with technology, but
I realize that I am actually very archaic. I am behind the times in regard to social networking and
other media outlets. The technology that I use at school is OK, but could use updating. Because of
this class, I realize that my attitude towards certain types of technology such as blogging was biased
and ultimately wrong. My attitude has undergone a tremendous change. I am much more interested
in and fascinated by ways of instantly keeping in touch with others. I don't fear technology as much
anymore. I know that there is a lot for me to learn, but at least I am willing to do it. I realize that
technology is going to be around now and schools have to be prepared to use it as effectively as
possible. I wouldn't say that I could not be a leader in this area. I think that I could because I am
willing to learn and use new technology which is good modeling behavior. I would never require my
teachers to use technology that I was not prepared to use myself. I also understand the importance
of keeping up to date and would provide, if not require, professional development in technology.
There has to be a priority placed on technology and I know that I would do this as an administrator.
Blogging is something I had no knowledge of until this class. I had heard the term, but never
fully understand what it was. It was fun learning to insert PowerPoint presentations, although at the
time of inserting the presentation I had a few choice words for the computer. I can see some
educational benefit from blogging such access to homework and notes, but there are some concerns
as well. Students and teachers could post something that is inappropriate or harmful to another
person. A teacher could very well be fired for posting something inappropriate and she is unaware
that it is. This is why the administrator needs to be current on laws and keep faculty and staff aware
also. Blogging is a good way for an administrator to keep up with businesses that are school
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2. EDLD 5352 Instructional Leadership: The Technology Link
stakeholders. One must be careful though. Whatever you say or publish on web is always out there.
No one is able to hide or completely erase what has already been posted to the web.
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