EDLD+5306+Fundamentals+of+Ed+Tech

=Fundamentals of Educational Technology=

@Week One 5306 - Digital Age Teaching and Learning

@Week Two 5306 - Data Tools for Technology

@Week Three 5306 - Developing Technology Leadership

@Week Four 5306 - Digital Age Issues ( Part 1)

@Week Five 5306 - Digital Age Issues (Part 2) = = = =

=Texas Needs Tech-Savvy Teachers=

=The majority of students entering Texas classrooms today are tech-savvy. It is critical that the people entrusted with the task of educating them have the tools they need to adequately prepare them for the future. The state of Texas faces a daunting task of bringing our education system up to speed to meet the needs of this new generation. It is critical that Texas educators be provided ongoing professional development.= = = =In order for effective changes to be implemented, teachers must also become learners and have ongoing opportunities for exposure to new ways of incorporating technology into the curriculum and classroom. In order to achieve this goal, all beginning teachers are now required to meet Technology Applications educator standards. Veteran teachers receive ongoing professional development and over time are expected to master the SBEC Technology Applications Standards for all teachers.= = = =The Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology 2006 - 2020 includes the following standards for Educator Preparation and Development. "All educators are required to:= =• graduate from an educator preparation program that models current technology in instructional and administrative practices PreK-12.= =• exit educator preparation programs knowing how to use technology effectively in the teaching-learning process as demonstrated by the SBEC Technology Applications Standards.= =• develop new learning environments that utilize technology as a flexible tool where learning is collaborative, interactive and customized for the individual learner.= =• ensure full integration of appropriate technology throughout all curriculum and instruction." //Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020// (2006, November). Retrieved Sept. 2, 2009, from http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/technology/lrpt/LRPTCompleteDec06.pdf = = = =The task of preparing educators to meet the needs of students in the 21st Century also presents educational institutions with a tremendous challenge. Educator training programs must include new ways to teach that will positively impact the academic achievement levels of their students. Professional development for veteran teachers must emphasize the continual process of learning about technology and incorporating its use in the classroom. If teachers and administrators are to prepare today’s students for the world they will live in tomorrow, they must have the tools, knowledge, and skills they need to make significant changes in our educational system.=

=LamarSSS Wikispace @Agenda @Timeline @Articles = = = =Concepts of Educational Technology =

Course Reflections
I believe that a wiki can facilitate an online learning community by allowing users with common aims and goals to create an interactive forum to allow them to enhance their knowledge and skills to benefit their students or consumers. Utilizing a wiki for collaboration is easier than face-to-face meetings because it eliminates the distance between members of the group. There are no travel or set-up costs involved because members can use any computer that has internet access and the wikispace is a free online tool. The wiki allows for comments, suggestions, ideas, and editing to be done by members of the group and is a great tool for sharing resources. Setting up a wikispace is relatively easy and content settings can be set in such a way as to protect the members’ privacy. Using a wiki can present some challenges in that it can be confusing to initial users or those with limited knowledge of computer programs. It is possible that members may not feel accountable to the group due to the fact that they are not required to attend face-to-face meetings.


 * One of the outcomes that I had envisioned for this course was to be able to learn about and use some new online learning tools. I only recently started a blog but through this course I learned how to use Slideshare to add a Powerpoint presentation to my blog site. I had only minimal knowledge of wikis and I also learned how to use a wiki to interact and collaborate with my peers in order to conduct meetings and develop online learning communities.

I also learned about Texas’ Long-Range Plan for Technology and the Texas STaR chart and have come to understand that we have a tremendous challenge before us in preparing our students to live and work in the 21st century.

I also expected the course to be challenging to me as a learner. It certainly has not disappointed me in that area. The various formats used for learning, (discussion board, videos, readings, assignments, etc.) have allowed for diversity of learning styles and have challenged me to spend the time necessary to achieve the goal of successfully completing the course.

I feel that I achieved the results I had envisioned before beginning this course and I would agree that the actual course outcomes exceeded my expectations. ||


 * I would agree that the outcomes that I achieved through this course are relevant to the work that I do. Although I work for a federally funded program at a state university, I can use the principles that I learned through this course in the work that I perform. Our program seeks to assist students with learning to use technology to enhance their education. Although our goal is retention through graduation from a four-year institution, we have a shared vision of preparing students for the 21st century workplace.

Working for a university and working with adults allows me to have some opportunities that are not available to educators in the public school system. I use blogs, wikis, and social networking sites and have very few limitations on the research that I can do on the internet. I can work with students on an individual basis to help them learn to use online tools and determine where they may need additional training.

Although the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology and the Texas STaR chart do not apply to the university level, I can use these tools to aid in planning for professional development needs for our program staff and in assessing the needs of students as they enter the university. ||


 * Something that I have learned about myself from this course is that I can perform Master’s level work. That excites me. I also learned that although I actually have had no formal training in the area of digital technology, I seem to have an innate ability to use and transfer the little knowledge I have to other applications.

While many learners within my generation would be reluctant to begin learning and integrating technology into the work that they do, I enjoy learning all I can and applying the knowledge I am gaining. As a “digital immigrant” I have learned that I have a very positive attitude toward learning new technology and I am only limited by the number of hours in the day that I have to spend learning. I feel that I am a leader among my peers because of my willingness to embrace change and new methods of educating the students we serve.

From the discussion with my classmates I have learned that there are teachers across our state which sincerely care about their students and take educating them very seriously. They desire to have the best resources available in order to prepare the students for the world they will one day live in. ||