Reflection

From this course I expected to be able to learn how to use technology as an administrator with the primary intent to enable all children to improve scholastic achievement. An administrator has to be aware of all the new developments, the direction the state is headed to and the direction their district is headed to. It is not easy to create a vision for your school if you are not aware of all the latest developments and tools available. Learning about the Texas long range plan and learning about my district technology plan was an eye opener. Reading about the data of my school’s STaR chart made me aware of the shortcomings at our school. I fully understood the need for a STaR chart. I t is a great tool for assessing the needs of a campus.
The lowest scoring areas for our school within the Advanced Tech classifications were Online Learning, and Professional development for Online Learning. In previous years, there have been no online learning opportunities available for teachers. Some have opened up this year, but this is a first for our district. Another area of weakness was found in Classroom Technology and Technical Support in the Infrastructure classification. As there was an increase in the number of teachers using technology, there was also an increased need to support to help with problems that occur with the hardware. Also, when there are more teachers learning to use the technology, the equipment must be available. There is not enough equipment for every teacher in the building to use. Knowing about these weak areas at our campus helped me design an action plan in the 4th week.
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. As an administrator and a teacher it is important that we are aware of the difference between right and wrong only then can we help our students. The readings helped a great deal to become knowledgeable in ethical issues. I think some of the readings repeated the same information.
During the first week of this course I had to work on making the blogs. I got together with my school teachers and together we worked on it and helped each other. It was a great learning experience and I felt very proud of myself. I think this will help me encourage my students and empower them. Blogging is a great tool for administrators. Principals can stay in touch with their faculty 24/7. The faculty can communicate with the Principal and voice their concerns in a healthy discussion. Parents, students and all other stake holders can also be involved in school decisions.
Blogging for students should be more regulated. I think teachers should check the material before students are allowed to post it online. I think blogging helps develop critical thinking. The discussion board during this class helped me see the other’s point of view and appreciate their thinking.
My role as the Science Specialist involves helping new teachers design better lessons. Integrating technology in lessons is a big part of it .It is not easy to reach the 21st century learners. I learnt that technology should be more about what the students are doing, it is not about what is easier on the teacher but what helps today’s student be more effective learners. Week 3’s focus was on the needs of the “digital natives” we serve, online learning communities, and expectations for educators. I learnt about the Web 2.0 tools. I would like some more training in this area and I am sure most of the teachers need it too. I think upside down mentoring is a great idea and more time is needed in schools for collaboration. For example in this course we had to post a power-point on the blog. This was not my comfort zone. It took me a lot of time even with good directions. I finally was able to do it myself with guidance from my son who was in another town helping me on the phone. I t is important to have someone who can encourage you and not let you fail around you. I feel in the same way veteran teachers need someone around them that they are comfortable asking questions.

Above all this course helped me know the areas of my own technology needs. I am definitely a digital immigrant and I depend a lot on young teachers to help me deal with digital problems. I t is important for us as educators to be life long learners. Technology is one area where there are new developments everyday. As administrators we have to stay in touch with the latest, only then we will be able to help our teachers and students grow. This is a great responsibility from which there is no running away.