5362+Course+Reflections

 ** Week 1 Assignment: Teacher Interview ** This assignment called for an interview of a teacher that had been teaching at least 20 years. Aligning the fact that “internet-savvy students are coming to school with different expectations, different skills, and access to different resources” (Solomon & Schrum 2007). I asked the teacher to compare and contrast their educational practices before and after the availability of the Internet in schools. I then presented the findings in a paper I entitled “Not Doing It Old School”. Reflecting on this assignments insights were gained by understanding new information presented, the interaction with my colleague, and insights that lead to further investigation.  First, the assignment allowed me gain insights on several important factors affecting students and their use of technology in instruction. The obvious subjects were discussed including; capturing student attention, administrative tasks, data analyzing etc… However, the most important new information that I gained was quite insightful and enriching. The teacher I interviewed stated that the most important aspect of technology use in the classroom has been the student’s new found appreciation for cultural diversity. By using the internet to visit, communicate, and collaborate with other students across the world, her students felt less isolated than before.  This assignment was one of my favorite ones due to the collaboration and interaction that was involved. I was able to communicate this revelation regarding “diversity realization” by teaching with the Internet with my fellow students. To my surprise many of my colleagues had had the same revelations. This assignment was very inspiring. I understood a bit more about Thomas Friedman’s “flat world” theory. By the effective use of technology students, and teaches for that matter, can understand that although we are different people living in different cultures around the world, we are very much the same in many ways. As a result of this assignment I purchased the book, “The World Is Flat, A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century” by Friedman.  The interview of a teacher that had been teaching at least 20 years shed much light on educational practices before and after the availability of the Internet in schools. When I presented the findings in a paper I entitled “Not Doing It Old School” By Reflecting on this assignment I gained understanding of new information, had good interaction with my colleagues, and new insights that lead to further investigation.    ** Week 2 Assignment: Network Comparison Presentation **   In this week’s assignment, two online networks were chosen that would be useful to me in my current position. I discussed why and how I would use these networks and what the impact would be on my professional practice. Finally, a PowerPoint presentation was created that illustrated the topic. Analyzing these networks caused old information thought to be true changed by new, presentation encouraged interaction with colleagues, and I was deeply affected as a lifelong learner. A great amount of knowledge was gained by this assignment. Although I had heard of networks and even visited some online the true use and potential of them was not realized. In particular the guru of educational networks Steve Hargadon was very illuminating. I joined Classroom 2.0 and was amazed by his insights. “Web 2.0 is the future of education, and while I harbor a hope that will be true, I think it might be more accurate to say that Web 2.0 will be a significant part of the future of learning,” (Classroom 2.0 Website).  The creation of a Power Point presentation encouraged the sharing of new found ideas with my fellow Lamar students and colleagues throughout my school district. The combination of developing and presenting educational networks was well worth the effort and made me realize how important collaboration and communication truly is. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> My future learning was greatly affected by Week 2 assignment because of the introduction of the network platform for collaboration, communication, professional development, and follow up. Initially I viewed networks as a platform for educators and professionals to be used in communication and team assignments. However, as I reflected more on this Web 2.0 tools I was enlightened to the possibilities of networks in student / classroom education. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> In this week’s assignment was definitely useful to me in my current position. I discussed why and how I would use networks and the impact they would have on my professional practice. I created a PowerPoint presentation that illustrated the topic analyzing networks that caused old information thought to be true changed, encouraged interaction with colleagues, and deeply affected me as a lifelong learner. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Week 3 Assignment: Student Information System ( **** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">SIS  **** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">)  **** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Evaluation  **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">This week’s assignment was to evaluate my district’s student information system, guided by the use of the document entitled Evaluation of Your Local School District’s Student Information System (SIS). Reflecting on this assignment reminded me of the new information I gained, how I obtained data to complete the assignment, and how this learning has affected my future professional learning. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">The most important new information gained should be shared with the entire community. That is what SIS systems are designed to do and how much they cost tax payers. The current system in use in my district includes a vast amount of software options ranging from attendance to TEA reports that are need. Of additional importance is the cost of this important system. At almost $33 per student annually I now understand what a bargain it is to have this information at hand. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">The process of attaining this information is what an education in itself. As public schools are required to communicate their budgets to the community, often times the details of those budgets are hard to find. This was the case with the SIS budget. However, after a few emails and phone calls I was able to locate the information. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">The learning gained from this assignment will better prepare me in the future if I have the responsibility or am part of a committee that has to purchase and evaluate a SIS for a school district. ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Week 4 Assignment: Model Classroom  ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">This week’s assignment was very exciting to me. After reading the Horizons Report 2009 K-12 Edition and watching a video, <span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; letter-spacing: -0.4pt;">Classroom of the Future HD: What's New in Educational Tech <span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> we were asked to create a blueprint for a model classroom that should exist in five years. I learned that I was on the same page as many trend setting and forward thinking educators appearing in the Horizon report; “Online spaces designed to support groups of students working together take many forms, from relatively simple tools that lend themselves to multiple simultaneous authors all the way up to full-fledged classroom environments in both the flat web and the 3D world of virtual environments” (Horizon Report 2009). I also gained valuable insights on my own teaching and classroom set up. Finally, after creating the blueprint I had a valuable to refer to for future professional developments and advice. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> I now better understand the overall concepts of the classroom of the future. Educators need to have technology available, professional development, and support. Without these three crucial elements success will be sporadic at best. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> I learned about the physical set up for a technology rich classroom including technology equipment, hardware, lighting, and many other factors of the future classroom. However, one thing stood out above all the rest, flexibility. This flexibility is crucial in order to meet the needs of diverse learners in today’s K-12 schools. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">For the future I now have another important item in my educational toolbox, the comprehensive blueprint that was created for the future classroom. This valuable insight and model will give me more confidence when evaluating, designing, and setting up technology rich areas in schools or even corporate situations. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Again, this assignment was extremely exciting. Just like my students we as adults enjoy creating, evaluating, and sharing our new things. I also gained valuable insights on my own teaching and classroom set up. After creating the blueprint I had a valuable to refer to for future professional developments and advice. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Week 5 Assignment: Final Project ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In this assignment I <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">created a multimedia presentation about my present school district technology plan. The multimedia presentation was a Power point presentation narrated by me. It incorporated all the aspects and best practices about information systems and technology use that I learned throughout this course and my previous courses. Again, I completely enjoyed creating this project and thought it was the perfect capstone for the end of the Information Systems Management course. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Much new information was learned that gave me insights of what a leadership role might encompass. For starters, designing the presentation effectively and making sure it contained al the essential elements (standards addressed, superintendents message, etc…) was a real confidence boost when completed. Also, defining the goals and expected outcomes of the plan really made me think internally about what I would what my students and community to get out of it. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I believe my performance in the creation of this project was up to par. I was able to present it to my mentor and some other faculty with very positive response. This interaction served as a strong reminder of my past accomplishment and the possibilities of my future ones. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally, this Power Point project it but another valuable feather in my leadership cap. It will serve as a reference in the future and guide me as to what might be expected for a district’s Technology Plan. I have learned many valuable lessons in this course, most importantly two. One, I can create, present, and evaluate myself to the betterment of an overall goal. And two, none is an island and collaboration, teamwork, and help does not make one weaker it makes one stronger <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Classroom 2.0 Website. Steve Haragon presentation August (2009). Retrived October 12, 2010 from <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Media Consortium. (2010). The 2010 Horizon Report: K-12 Edition. Retrieved from <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> October 12, 2010. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0: New Tools, New Schools. Eugene,OR: International Society for Technology in Education
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Assignment Reflections for EDLD 5362 Information Systems **