EDLD+5306

= = Collaboration Plan Using a wiki The purpose of this wiki is to bring together our uses and ideas about uses of technology in our classrooms. I know that some of us are doing great things, but our conversations are limited to lounge talk or hearsay. By posting here, we can get first-hand information, and time for questioning!

Watch this video for insight on the benefits of using a wiki. media type="youtube" key="-dnL00TdmLY" height="344" width="425"

As a member of this wiki, please post your ideas here by clicking on the edit button in the top right corner. Sign your name, please. The Region 5 Technology Conference at Silsbee HS was full of seminars and vendors. These are some of the topics discussed. Interactive WhiteBoard Student Response Systems Web 2.0 Tools- blog, wiki, podcast, etc

Agenda Ideas How can we use this wikispace to serve us? // jmichaud --to bring our ideas together and discuss them. //

What are your ideas for a vision for our technology development in our school? // jmichaud -- I hope that we can better use what we have. //

Each year at the beginning of school we all sign an Acceptable Use Agreement. Do you discuss this with your students? Do you understand all of ours and adhere to it? What changes do you think need to be addressed withour policy? // jmichaud -- I didn't consider that it was my job to teach cyber ethics specifically to my students. In the past, when things have come up, I discuss them. I now understand that I need to teach cyber smarts and our acceptable use agreement to my students. I think our policy it a bit vague in some areas. //

=EDLD 5364 Reflections=

 What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned?

When I started this class, I anticipated that it would help me create lessons that more fully integrated technology. I hoped to implement new strategies for myself and my colleagues. I learned that it could be overwhelming and I developed a new empathy with my colleagues who struggle with new technological ideas. I was quickly overwhelmed with great information that I couldn’t really use at the moment. I allowed myself to function on a “just in time” basis in order to complete assignments. “Just in time” refers to learning just enough to get your through the next few steps. It is a common practice in gaming. When we use this type of learning, we construct our learning, just as Vygotsky theorized. He said that as a learner, we all have some learning and build upon that learning to create new knowledge. Letting myself be a just in time learner help me truly grasp the concepts that I needed to work with, allowing the others to wait for their turn. Because I learned at a different rate than that of the actual coursework, I often felt behind and unclear. I do not feel pumped and excited, like after a great inservice session, but I do feel more empowered and able to accomplish what I need to do. The latter is the better trait. Whether or not I use every tool, I at least know that they are available and when I need one, I can learn, just in time.

// To the extent that you achived the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not? //

I learned about Book Builder from this coursework. I immediately told colleagues about it. One informed me that a software was recently purchased for that purpose, but because of newer TAKS standards demands, the software was put on hold. My colleague was most willing to pass the manual on to me. I was caught then between learning software (which must be loaded on the computer) and using an web-based product. I am still deciding between them because the software version has many component more applicable to students creating the books, but the web-based version is more readily available. I bring up this example because as I learn more in my coursework and attempt to apply it in my real life, I am met with challenge or passage. Passages because I have new knowledge and challenge as I figure out how to apply some knowledge and get others on board. For a project at one school in my district, students created presentations, some posters, some PowerPoint over Christmas traditions in another country. My daughter came home from her school talking about creating a greeting card in English. It had to contain two instances of a simile. But, she told me, they didn’t even use a computer! Yes, students can write a few lines and draw a picture, but I felt like a perfect opportunity was missed because technology wasn’t involved. It is my hope that I can help teachers see where they can apply the skills that the students need and really want. // What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them? //

I could not apply every piece of knowledge I was learning. This was the point of much frustration in the beginning. I had no idea that I would learn so much. I am reminded of a quote I love that states “Where much is given, much is required.” I was so burdened by my new knowledges. Burdened because I felt I had to use every tool. It was suggested to me to use a wikispace as my online toolbox. There they tools could lie until I was ready to use them. It was then that I realized I could not, nor was I expected, to use every tool. Learning and applying even one thing was a good start. I would not expect my colleagues to learn so many tools at one time, and it was not expected of me. In the end, I chose tools that could help me with my current projects and stored the other tools for future uses. Specifically, regarding the Book Builder site, I had several problems from creating an account to sharing my book (still unsuccessful at this point). I created the book for an assignment, but didn’t plan on using that tool right away. I do, however, think it would be great way for students to “talk” about their winter vacation when we return to school in January. //Were you successful in completing the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you?// My coursework assignments were sometimes unclear to me. There was a fuzzy distinction between what was group project work and what was not, at some points. As mentioned, I had problems with the Book Builder site. If it had been my choice, I would have walked away. Because it was an assignment, I had to keep trudging through. Regarding group work, I am grateful that I did not have to personally meet anyone anywhere to get things done, but I am left unsatisfied by our work. We did not communicate clearly with one another all the time. As sometimes happens in a group, one member, who was not the leader, acted as a leader and was a bit overwhelming. This lack of esprit de corps with the group discouraged me. I was grateful to a member who posted her phone number. Talking to her personally truly felt like breaking down barriers. We may be moving towards more and more global practices, but some of us still need more than electronic communication.

// What did you learn from this course: about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes? //

The most important skill I learned that don’t have is organization. I can be a good leader and do great things but my “system” is so loose and unclear that I cannot readily accept help from other when I really need it. Within my coursework and the application of it in my real life, I truly needed some extra hands in the past few weeks. I am grateful to persons who picked up what they could to help me out. Another skill I realized needs some improvement, is that I learned that I seek praise. I hope that I don’t particularly seek it out, but I did realize that I really wanted at least a pat on the back. I know I did some great things this past week, and knowing should have been enough. A skill I am proud to have gained is my growing confidence in using technology. I do not fear using technology and I seek to help others understand the great things they can do. I do not feel that I know a lot more than my colleagues, but I am grateful to be in a position where I can facilitate the spreading of knowledges amongst all the great thinkers.