A) Review................. Of all the reading and research I reviewed, I will focus on two articles in this response.
1) Schacter's article that focused on 7 studies. The first was a meta-analysis study with 500 individual studies. The second focused on reviewing hundreds of individual studies. Third was the partnership between Apple and five schools from across the nation. The fourth dealt with a West Virginia ten year state study of their technology initiative. The fifth study reviewed was a national sample with 4th and 8th grade students using newer technology stimulation and its impact on higher order thinking skills. The sixth and seventh study used two smaller scale studies with new technologies and their impact on learning. All of these studies had data that portrayed technology positively from a variety of angles.
2) The second article I found interesting was in the US Dept. of Education site regarding The Retrospective Twenty Years of Educational Technology Policy. This information presented two themes from their research. 1) The flow of practitioners needs and challenges as a guiding force in shaping where and how technology becomes a part of the educational system. 2) The need for a greater understanding among researchers and policymakers of the systematic nature of educational change in general and of educational technology integration.
This research was in-depth as any effective research must demonstrate. From a teaching and learning perspective, these articles and the others provide information and examples of how technology as a tool to enhance learning and achievement is possible. Demonstrating that technology is the reason student achievement increases is subjective and difficult to statistically show. There are many variables and one can make data appear how they want to portray it. The thoughts and feelings of kids who have teachers that use technology effectively as a tool is typically very positive. As I stated in the classroom post, student engagement is a critical factor in student achievement. If a child is motivated, as technology has a tendency to do with kids of today, there can be an increase in student engagement and learning will be enhanced.
B) Reactions to the research.............. Technology is here to stay. It isn't going anywhere so you either get on board or get off. However, it has been and will continue to be gradual in my opinion. Cost and changes in technology occur so fast it is difficult to keep up. Technology as a tool can also be implemented more easily for some content areas. Overall, my thoughts of the research are positive and much of what I read makes sense to me from what I see as a school leader. While there may be more research coming out in regards to technology and its impact on student achievement, there will always be flaws/variables which cannot measure its true impact.
C) Justification of use and cost.............. This is always the big question in my eyes. The gap within staffs can be significant with their expertise and willingness to utilize technology as a teaching tool. Not to mention, I evaluate quite a few teachers. Some use technology well and some don't. Many of our more recent college graduates have more experience utilizing technology both personally and in their undergraduate training. Teacher prep courses will need to continue to stay in front of the technology use as well. Everyone looks at their own situation and their experiences as a way to evaluate and make decisions. One challenge that I think is very legitimate is the staff that has strong performance and student achievement data is the best or among the best in our entire district and entire state. With that, we take small steps to integrate technology bit by bit and that becomes the responsibility of the school leader to cultivate. It may not be a teacher's mojo - but they can find great benefit with its use. Start small and look to build momentum. I have heard mixed feelings from parents and educators as well on the cost vs. benefit. The thinking that "this isn't how I learned" can be thwarting belief. While that is true, we have to get in sync with today's students! Motivation, vision/planning, and money are all critical in a district's continual development of technology and its use as a tool educating today's children.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Internet Policies
The Bellingham District's policies are highly specific. The Pierre School District has the Acceptable Use of the Internet Policy , Internet Publishing Policy and a Distance Education Policy. I wouldn't say it is as in-depth as the one we reviewed but contains all the pertinent information. As technology changes rapidly, we must continue to evaluate and review our current policies to reflect current needs and issues. The technology committee is the starting place for policy review/updates and proceeds from that level.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Copyright Assignment
1. Our school district does not have a copyright policy in writing.
2. If we had a copyright policy in writing, it should include technology as part of it. The districts and web sites you presented are in depth. Probably a good place to start if looking to adopt a copyright policy.
3. Yes, to my knowledge the copyright laws are followed in our district.
4. Copyright laws are important. I am curious to know the implications even if a district does not have a specific policy but it is part of law. I am not sure it would matter if push came to shove regarding a copyright issue since it is what it is - by law.
2. If we had a copyright policy in writing, it should include technology as part of it. The districts and web sites you presented are in depth. Probably a good place to start if looking to adopt a copyright policy.
3. Yes, to my knowledge the copyright laws are followed in our district.
4. Copyright laws are important. I am curious to know the implications even if a district does not have a specific policy but it is part of law. I am not sure it would matter if push came to shove regarding a copyright issue since it is what it is - by law.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
EDU 615- Quiz #1
1. Why should a school district have a web site? What should be on that site?
School districts should have a website for one simple, yet critical word...... communication. Districts need to communicate and market/promote their school to all and the web site is a great way to make that happen.
There is a significant amount of information that should be included on a school district web site that communicates to the public. A few examples of potential links are: daily announcements, staff and their web sites/wikis, schedules, menus, achievement results, curriculum, and student handbooks.
The challenge is to keep up with the frequent changes that need to be made to the web site and who has the time/responsibility of making that happen. If it isn't updated and accurate, get rid of it.
2. How do administrators and school boards keep a current vision of technology and the future?
By communicating with a technology committee, administrators and boards have the opportunity to always keep thinking toward the future. Another manner that can assist in keeping a current vision for technology is to attend trainings and workshops that keep you thinking toward the future along with using resources like TIE to assist your district moving forward.
Technology changes so quickly that it is very difficult to keep up at such a rapid pace. Obviously, money is the key component to the limits you have with technology.
3. What information from the CEO Forum web site is most useful? How can that information be used?
The CEO forum provided good information. Some of the most useful is striving to provide building blocks for districts to use technology to improve student achievement. While student engagement and motivation factors are signficant variables with students, those two variables have a strong impact on the learning that is occuring or not occuring. In the end, the bottom line question regarding technology comes back to student achievement and how is technology enhancing instruction and improving student learing!
The STaR Report was also a useful tool to utilize and could be used as a baseline driving force in making decisions and creating a vision for what priorities need to take place in the technology plan. The STaR report could be used as a technology committee to get started and proceed through the necessary channels to create the vision and make your district's plan. The unexpected expenses that have immediate need always seem to come up and things get pushed back - if you need a new roof, HVAC, etc, the capital outlay budget will be impacted and certain items of "need" will take place over items of "want."
4. What are WEb 2.0 tools? How can these tools be used by schools to enhance classroom instruction?
Web 2.0 are interactive tools such as blogs, wiki spaces, and podcasts that are utilized in a variety of ways for convenience, motivation, and engagement. These tools have potential to enhance instruction which in turn will improve achievement.
Time is the biggest opponent of using these technology tools. There are a mulitude of rationales on why educators may or may not utilize Web 2.0 tools. One reason is time. It takes time to "play" with technology to see how it works. It also takes an educator who is willing to change and be a life long learner - albeit they may have had success doing it a different way for a variety of years. Providing the time and resources is the critical part of an educator making changes in their instructional practice along with their building leader being supportive of trying new things.
5. What is Cyber Bullying? What can schools do to help prevent Cyber Bullying?
Cyber Bullying is any form of mistreatment using technology on the Internet or via texting toward another person. This type of bullying can be done easily as you can be anywhere and say/do whatever one so chooses. Cyber Bullying has become more common all the time with the technology available to adults and kids.
One way to address Cyber Bullying is to offer a mandatory computer/technology course at the early middle school or late elementary level about what it is. Providing high school students this education in the technology curriculum is also important as the education of this issue needs to be continual. Teaching kids on what it is and the basic skills about the appropriate uses and the misuses are very important. Make sure the "acceptable use policy" is completed by the student/parent as well.
School districts should have a website for one simple, yet critical word...... communication. Districts need to communicate and market/promote their school to all and the web site is a great way to make that happen.
There is a significant amount of information that should be included on a school district web site that communicates to the public. A few examples of potential links are: daily announcements, staff and their web sites/wikis, schedules, menus, achievement results, curriculum, and student handbooks.
The challenge is to keep up with the frequent changes that need to be made to the web site and who has the time/responsibility of making that happen. If it isn't updated and accurate, get rid of it.
2. How do administrators and school boards keep a current vision of technology and the future?
By communicating with a technology committee, administrators and boards have the opportunity to always keep thinking toward the future. Another manner that can assist in keeping a current vision for technology is to attend trainings and workshops that keep you thinking toward the future along with using resources like TIE to assist your district moving forward.
Technology changes so quickly that it is very difficult to keep up at such a rapid pace. Obviously, money is the key component to the limits you have with technology.
3. What information from the CEO Forum web site is most useful? How can that information be used?
The CEO forum provided good information. Some of the most useful is striving to provide building blocks for districts to use technology to improve student achievement. While student engagement and motivation factors are signficant variables with students, those two variables have a strong impact on the learning that is occuring or not occuring. In the end, the bottom line question regarding technology comes back to student achievement and how is technology enhancing instruction and improving student learing!
The STaR Report was also a useful tool to utilize and could be used as a baseline driving force in making decisions and creating a vision for what priorities need to take place in the technology plan. The STaR report could be used as a technology committee to get started and proceed through the necessary channels to create the vision and make your district's plan. The unexpected expenses that have immediate need always seem to come up and things get pushed back - if you need a new roof, HVAC, etc, the capital outlay budget will be impacted and certain items of "need" will take place over items of "want."
4. What are WEb 2.0 tools? How can these tools be used by schools to enhance classroom instruction?
Web 2.0 are interactive tools such as blogs, wiki spaces, and podcasts that are utilized in a variety of ways for convenience, motivation, and engagement. These tools have potential to enhance instruction which in turn will improve achievement.
Time is the biggest opponent of using these technology tools. There are a mulitude of rationales on why educators may or may not utilize Web 2.0 tools. One reason is time. It takes time to "play" with technology to see how it works. It also takes an educator who is willing to change and be a life long learner - albeit they may have had success doing it a different way for a variety of years. Providing the time and resources is the critical part of an educator making changes in their instructional practice along with their building leader being supportive of trying new things.
5. What is Cyber Bullying? What can schools do to help prevent Cyber Bullying?
Cyber Bullying is any form of mistreatment using technology on the Internet or via texting toward another person. This type of bullying can be done easily as you can be anywhere and say/do whatever one so chooses. Cyber Bullying has become more common all the time with the technology available to adults and kids.
One way to address Cyber Bullying is to offer a mandatory computer/technology course at the early middle school or late elementary level about what it is. Providing high school students this education in the technology curriculum is also important as the education of this issue needs to be continual. Teaching kids on what it is and the basic skills about the appropriate uses and the misuses are very important. Make sure the "acceptable use policy" is completed by the student/parent as well.
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