I was all excited to finally be starting my master’s program; I had been putting it off for one reason or another for the past three years. I had decided to take the path of Educational Technology Leadership because I love to use technology and in the hopes of getting a more in depth understanding of how to integrate it more effectively into my classroom. I was a little apprehensive about the program being all online but I have quickly come to find that I like it this way. I really didn’t know what to expect out of the first course but was hoping for an introduction to new tools that I could use in the classroom and the ways to use them in the classroom. I also wanted information on how to help the other teachers around me do the same. This course surpassed what I expected from it and I feel that I am much more prepared to try to start integrating technology into the curriculum and helping others around me also. I also was surprised to find out that this course also prepares you for being a principal also if you choose to take the principal certification test.
The information that was taught in this class was information that I had been exposed to before and some that I had never heard of. The Texas Star Chart is something that we are told to complete every year but I really didn’t understand why. I now understand that they take this information and compile it to evaluate a schools performance toward the National Educational Technology Plan. The National Educational Technology Plan and the Texas Long Range Plan were two pieces of information that I was unfamiliar with but now thanks to this course I now understand them and know the importance of implementing them at my school. I was aware that our district had a technology plan but I honestly had never read it, I can no longer say that thanks to this course. This course has taken me further into the technology workings of my school than I think I would ever have thought to go own my on. It has also shown me ways to integrate web 2.0 tools into my classroom.
My only disappoint so far with this course really doesn’t have anything to do with the course. I wanted to be able to implement more of what I was learning while I was learning it in my classroom with my students. I would have like to been able to set up a class blog to be able to communicate with parents and students about upcoming events and deadlines, dates for tests, and post downloadable study guides for tests, but our district has blocked the use of blogs. I also wanted to set up a Technology wiki to post suggestions, websites, and videos to for teachers to be able to access for help in integrating technology into their curriculum and classroom, but time constraints halted me on this one. This project is on my internship plan so this will still get accomplished just not as soon as I had hoped. I am get a going to try to get a meeting with the technology director to see if there is way to set up a blogging site on a infrastructure so that we can use it safely.
When I first saw the syllabus for the course and the first weeks overview and assignment I thought what I have I got myself into, there is no way to get all of this done in a week. I quickly found out that with a lot of hard work, good time management, and a couple of great friends for support that it was possible. Online courses are self-paced and self-monitored so you have to stay motivated, if you ever get behind, with e assignment loads that we had, you put yourself in a real bind. It was great having two friends that were going through the same things you were and knowing that they were just a phone call away. I believe I was successful in meeting all the requirements for all the course assignments and deadlines. The only thing that I don’t feel successful in is APA format; it is going to be the death of me yet. I kept losing points for this even though I referred to the book every time I made a citation.
Overall this course has been a great eye-opener. I learned that I still have a lot to learn about technology and I look forward to learning everything that I can. I also learned that my school district is in need of some serious updates and restructuring to jump onboard of the 21st century educational train. I also found that I believe that I could be a good leader and may seriously consider pursuing my principal certification after this course. I now know that I can accomplish anything that I set my mind to and that I am truly a lifelong learner and I love playing the role of student and educator. Friends and/or a support system are a very important thing to have when trying to accomplish something new or something big. You should never try to tackle things all by yourself. In summary I learned that I am a strong, smart, capable woman that can accomplish great things.
EDLD 5306 ET 8038
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