Week 5 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 began working on this course, I had a feeling this course would be about technology usage, the problems confronting schools with technology usage, and how to lead schools to overcome these challenges. I had no idea that I would begin a blog, would post on the blog, and embed a power point to the blog as well. I am the sort of person who has to actually use something in order to learn from it, a tactile person. This course allowed me to do so with technology. I learned a lot from the readings, even if I thought they were excessive and tedious. I achieved all of the items that I thought I would experience in the course and more. I feel more prepared as an administrator for some of the technology changes for the future.

• To the extent that you achieved the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not?
I believe that achieving the outcomes of this course are relevant to my current teaching assignment/duties. Technology is a developing process in our schools. In fact, in the past two weeks I have had to fill out several surveys over technology, my knowledge of technology, and how I use it in the classrooms. This course, along with the surveys has alerted me to the minimal amount of technology that I use in the classroom. It has opened my eyes to a variety of possibilities of technology that I can use in my classroom. It has also stimulated ideas for usage in my classroom.
• What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them?
In this course, I do not feel that any of my original outcomes were not achieved. If anything, I feel that I have become more aware of technology usages in schools. If I were to say that one thing I thought of was not met, I would have to say that there were never any solutions to the problems that were presented by the readings and the classwork. What I mean by that, the readings, etc presented some complications to technology usage in schools. There were not many solutions to these problems discussed. I understand that as an administrator, you have to make decisions based upon local problems and needs. However, I would like to know how other districts are handling these problems so I can have some ideas on how to handle mine.
• Were you successful in carrying out the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you?
I believe I was somewhat successful in carrying out the course assignments, although they have been time consuming and vague at times. I particularly felt that the reading assignments and discussion boards were tedious and unnecessary. I do not feel that having to post three times per reading assignment was necessary. I also did not feel that having eight reading assignments per week was necessary. I think the point could have been made with fewer reading assignments or postings. Some of the readings seemed to be very similar to other reading assignments, so it all ran together. The only things that would have discouraged me were having to do the readings along with some of the assignments. I realize this is a graduate level course, but with all of those things I have spent twenty or more hours a week on this course. That is significantly more than I have spent on other courses so far. With my teaching and coaching assignment, I am already working 60 to 70 hour work weeks. With the holidays as well, I have felt like I have been on a treadmill that I could not get off. If anything, that would have been what has discouraged me.
• What did you learn from this course…about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes?

From this course, I learned how technology is changing the face of education in the classroom. From blogging to cell phones to cyber bullying, this course presented several ideas/problems that I may face as an administrator. I felt going into the course that I would be classified as an intermediate technology person. I knew about technologies, I have used some, and I was comfortable with most. Boy was I wrong. I would now consider myself a novice of technology. Since taking this course, I have made a goal for myself to become more familiar with technology and to use it more in my classroom. I do not feel that this course has affected my leadership skills, but it has made me more aware of the problems with technology. Being aware of the problems and understanding both sides makes you a more informed leader, but it may not affect you leadership skills. I also do not feel that this course has affected my attitudes about technology either.

• What is the educational value of blogs and blogging to the 21st century learner?

In my opinion, the value of a blog in education would be a place to visit with the instructor, almost one on one. It would allow you to catch any notes or comments you might have missed in class. It would allow you to comment on class discussions and get feedback. It would be a place where you could get any assignments that you missed in class or may have lost. It would also be a meeting, where you could make announcements to a large group. After taking this course, I have become interested in blogging and writing a blog for my classroom. I feel this would be a preventive measure for parent complaints or questions as well.

• What are the concerns of blogs and blogging in education?
Some of the concerns for blogging would be cyber bullying and identity protection. Cyber bullying could very easily take place on a blog. In our schools, bullying occurs daily; having it placed on the internet for more to read might be even more traumatic for the child being bullied. Identity protection would be another problem. The students might expose their names and other information that predators could pick up on.
• How can you use blogging to communicate with school stakeholders?
I feel that blogging could be used to communicate with all stakeholders by serving as a forum for discussions. All could be able to share information, thoughts, and opinions. The schools could use it as way to introduce any announcements or any current problems at the school. Parents could use the blog as a way to communicate with administrators and teachers and a way to clarify any loss of information from teacher-student-parent.