The document discusses a course the author took on technology in education. The author achieved the outcomes they envisioned, which were to become more proficient in technology and learn about current tools. However, the extensive discussion board requirements prevented deeper engagement with course materials. The author gained confidence in their technology and leadership skills but felt overwhelmed by the workload. Blogs can effectively communicate with stakeholders but require safeguards around student privacy and information credibility.

1. Week 5 ReflectionsWhat outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned?The outcomes I envisioned for this course included becoming a more proficient user of technology, as well as learning more about the latest technology available to educators. I achieved both of these outcomes. I now know how to create and edit a blog, import a slideshow presentation into a blog, and how to import a word document into a blog. I also learned about different forms of technology that are available to educators. These forms of technology include wikis, podcasting, blogs, open-source technologies, RSS feeds. In addition to learning about different forms of technology, I also learned how to incorporate Internet safety into the curriculum. I also learned more about the technical side of education. It is important that districts consider purchasing asset management software to keep track of their technology inventory and that they provide an infrastructure to manage the increasing demands of technology in our curriculum. Finally, I learned about the importance of using the STaR charts as a means of planning for future technology needs. The actual course outcomes did aligned with the outcomes I 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?The outcomes for this course are still relevant to the work that I do in my district. As a curriculum specialist, I have used wikis to collaborate with other curriculum specialists in the district regarding meetings and future planning for our curriculum needs. We have also incorporated podcasting into our curriculum. I, along with the other curriculum specialists are now working more closely with the technology specialists to ensure our curriculum is aligned with the technology that is available to teachers. I have worked with teachers to effectively integrate the use of an interactive white board for math lessons, and I have trained all elementary teachers on how to access the online curriculum that is part of our new math adoption. Now that I know how to set up a blog, I am thinking about setting one up for my teachers to access. I can import slides from presentations I’ve done in the district. I can also post links to other articles or information related to our math curriculum. I could also incorporate a wiki, where teachers have the opportunity to share ideas and collaborate on strategies to effectively teach elementary mathematics.What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them?One outcome I was not able to achieve was the ability to get in depth with the material that was covered each week. So much time was devoted to discussion posts and responses, not to mention the assignments, that I was not able to devote time to truly process the information that was presented. I found myself skimming over the videos, because there was not ample time to review them, as well as post to the discussion board twenty-four times in one week. I would also have liked to participate more in the web conferences, but I was not able to find a time that fit my schedule. Many of the web conferences were scheduled at 4:00 or 6:00, and I wasn’t able to attend any at that time. I have two little children at home, so I always work on my school work after they go to bed, which is usually around 7:30. It would have been nice to participate in web conferences that were scheduled later in the evening. Overall, I enjoyed the course, but I feel the discussion boards prevented me from truly being able to process all of the information presented in the videos, readings, and assignments.Were you successful in carrying out the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you?I was successful in carrying out the course assignments. I never had to use the grace period, and I was able to submit all assignments on time. I was discouraged, however, by the amount of time that I had to devote to the readings and discussion board posts. Posting to the discussion board twenty-four times in one week felt a bid redundant and excessive. Because I had to create so many posts, I was not able to effectively communicate with my colleagues regarding the readings for the week. The discussion boards were overloaded with posts, which made it difficult to create two new and original posts for each article. I enjoyed the readings, and I didn’t mind posting my original quotes. However, requiring two comments for each article when there are eight articles each week was overwhelming. The discussion board could be improved by only requiring one or two responses, instead of two for each article. I learned more from my initial quotes than I learned responding to others. I enjoyed the assignments, especially when we incorporated new technology, such as the blogs.What did you learn from this course…about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes?I was successful in this course, and I gained more self confidence regarding my technology and leadership skills. I learned that I am very passionate when it comes to technology and education. Technology provides access to a richer education where the potential exists for global connections to be made. As a result of this course, I have become more aware of how technology is integrated into the classroom, and what types of technology are currently available for use in education. I also started following David Warlick on Twitter so that I will be up to date on the latest trends in technology related to education. This course taught me how technology can make educational practices more effective and efficient. Teachers should strive to operate a paperless classroom where lesson plans, grades, assignments, and discussions are all online. This provides immediate access and more efficient communication among stakeholders. This course sparked my interest in technology, and I am interested in reading and learning more about it can impact student learning.What is the educational value of blogs and blogging to the 21st century learner?Blogs are powerful tools that can dramatically increase the overall learning and achievement of the 21st century learner. Teachers can use blogs to communicate with parents. They can post student work, blog about upcoming events, and reflect on the learning that is taking place in the classroom. Students can use blogs to reflect on their own learning, comment or summarize novels and books, post reasonings behind solutions in mathematics, and describe the effects of science labs. Students can also communicate with each other by commenting on the blogs of their classmates. Students and teachers can also increase their knowledge by following the blogs of others, especially experts in the fields they are studying. For example, if teachers want more information on how technology is being integrated in other classrooms, they could follow David Warlick’s blog. If students want more information on the solar system, they could follow the blogs of scientists to learn about the newest and latest research that is currently available. Blogs are an effective tool to communicate and connect with others around the world.What are the concerns of blogs and blogging in education?There are several concerns that are associated with blogs and blogging in education. Teachers must be cognizant of how to protect their students from online predators and others who might seek to harm their students. One method of protecting their students online is to use a password protected blog. Teachers should also consider only using the first names of their students online, so that information identifying their individual students will not be posted online for others to view. Another concern related to blogs and blogging in education is the risk of inappropriate posts by students. Students need to be taught proper netiquette, and they need to understand the ramifications that will occur if an inappropriate post is posted to a class or school blog. Finally, teachers and principals need to be concerned about the credibility of information students are reading on various blogs. They need to have the tools to verify the information they read on blogs, so that they know it is accurate information. Students must verify blog posts before they cite them in their own writings or research projects. Although there are many concerns with blogs and blogging in education, the positives outweigh the negatives, and all teachers should consider using them with their students.How can you use blogging to communicate with school stakeholders?Blogging can be used in a variety of ways to communicate with school stakeholders. Teachers can use blogs to inform parents of upcoming events and activities taking place at school. Teachers can also use blogs to notify parents of homework assignments and upcoming projects that are due. Blogs are a great way to post student work for parents and other community members to view. Blogs can also be used by central office personnel to inform community members of events occurring around the district, as well as new initiatives that the district is considering. Blogs can also be used to seek help from parents, as well as the community. Teachers can post lists of supplies that are needed in the classroom, and they can also post suggestions for how parents can help their children both at home and in the classroom. Principals can use blogs to engage their staff in book studies or personal learning communities. Blogs are an effective tool for increasing communication and collaboration among all school stakeholders.