Web Conference – EDLD 5301 – Week 2

This week we had the opportunity to participate in our first web conference for EDLD 5301 – Research for Teachers. It was great to have both of our professors, Dr. Abshire and Dr. Jenkins, available to ask questions of, especially as we begin to think about our action research topics. Many questions were asked about the mechanics of our new coursework, as well as proposing ideas and thoughts about what we could develop as our action research topics. I was able to ask questions about the topic of literacy in Career and Technology (CTE) classes, which is an area I am considering for my research. My concern is that the topic is too broad for specific data collection. Dr. Jenkins was very helpful in suggesting that I can use qualitative data as well as quantitative data, which is a thought I had not considered. I enjoy the web conferences each week, and it is somewhat comforting to know that I have many of the same questions as my classmates, and most of these questions are addressed during the web conference. It is also a enjoyable time to interact with classmates in a casual and informal environment.

Blog Reflection – EDLD 5301 - Week 2

As I began to think about possible action research topics, I found myself having difficulty narrowing it down to 2-3 ideas. There are so many issues we face each day as educators that could benefit from action research; however, after discussion with my site supervisor, I had to think about what I could gather in terms of specific, useful data. That is probably one of the most valuable things I learned this week. Ideas must be formulated into practical and functional study material. The readings this week were also helpful in identifying the passion areas that action research falls within. The identification of these passions also helps to focus areas of action research as they relate to success in our schools.

How Educational Leaders Might Use Blogs

          Educational leaders can use blogs to convey day-to-day communications such as weekly calendars, testing instructions and upcoming events. In addition, blogs can be used to illicit comments and suggestions regarding campus issues. Other documents such as PowerPoint presentations on in-service activities and professional development subjects can be posted to the blog. This is also a method of sharing thoughts and ideas on topics to teachers, staff, parents and/or students. In addition, and maybe more importantly, an administrator can use blogs as a tool for reflecting and journalizing the ideas and thoughts for current as well as future reference.

What I Have Learned About Action Research

                I have learned that action research is a collaborative and “hands-on” approach to identifying and resolving issues facing organizations today. Action research requires us to move away from the previous held theories of utilizing outside information steeped in control and prediction and move toward using reflection and inquiry to answer the urgent concerns of our schools. Within action research, we also utilize stakeholders such as teachers, other administrators and sometimes parents and students to aid in facilitating a response to the identified topic. The advantages to this type of inquiry are that “practitioners play a part in the research process, which makes them more likely to facilitate change based on the knowledge they generate.” (Dana, 2009, p. 5)
                What I discovered as I learned about action research is that I and my school are currently using several of the frameworks that action research fits into best. By engaging in this master’s program, I am learning about the advantages of action research and how to utilize this type of inquiry in my graduate work. As a member of my leadership team at my high school, we manage many of our school issues with collaboration and informal action research. This is a tool that we can improve upon as I continue to learn more about the components of action research. In addition, we use Professional Learning Communities, or PLCs, to engage in collaborative inquiry, discussion and resolutions of curriculum and student concerns. As Dana states, PLCs “learn from practice.” (Dana, 2009, p. 21) PLCs are a great structured action research tool for dialogue and sharing of information. As I continue to learn and apply action research to my work, both as a student and teacher, I believe the inquiry and resolution of issues will have a lasting affect that other forms of research may not possess.

Reference:

Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Web Conference - Week 5

This week’s web conference was filled with questions concerning the Internship Plan. I think all of us were apprehensive about this assignment, mostly because it is an integral part of the rest of our journey through this program, and we all want to make sure we do it correctly. I think lost in all of this anxiety was the fact that it is a “draft”. This document will surely change and transform into a plan that not only will educate us, but introduce us to activities where we can truly begin to become leaders in technology. I am VERY appreciative of my classmates who, through emails, Facebook, discussion boards and the web conferences, have shared their thoughts, support and guidance throughout this week. Thank you to you all. I am also confident and excited about continuing to the next course, Research, and I am thrilled to have Dr. Abshire once again to guide us. I say guide rather than teach, because she not only gives you information but allows you to come up with your own solutions through reflection. The web conferences have been a great way for us to communicate class questions and expectations, but also to consider options and gain perspective. However, I think most enjoyable has been to get to know each other and share a laugh. It is because of all of this that I look forward to the future in this program.

Course Reflections - EDLD 5306

               As I began this course, honestly I envisioned a great deal of reading and writing of papers regarding theories and ideas about technology in our schools. It was clear to me very quickly that I would not only be reading and writing but become totally emerged in some technologies that I had never experienced before. The online discussion board, the development of an embedded PowerPoint and Animoto presentations, blogs, wikis, web conferences, etc. – it’s hard to believe this 5 weeks has gone by so quickly! This class was definitely not what I envisioned – it has been so much better.  One of the areas I enjoyed was being able to utilize some of the activities in my classroom, such as Animoto. The second thing I really enjoyed was the interaction with my classmates through email, wikis and web conferences. I know these are relationships that will help all of us as we continue our journey through this program.
                As a technology teacher, it is easy for me to relate what I have learned and apply it in my classroom and school every day. As I stated above, I am already implementing several things we have learned in this class and I plan to introduce even more as the school year progresses. As we began working on blogs and wikis in class, my mind immediately went to how much of this information I could relay to my students. As I told Dr. Abshire in one of our web conferences, I really felt like I should have known much of this already, as a technology teacher. However, now I can really begin to apply what I have learned to create a classroom where 21^st century learners can thrive. In addition, I can become more involved in district and school technology activities that I did not know about until I began this class.
                I really don’t think there were any major outcomes I did not accomplish. At first, the assignments really overwhelmed me. Although I knew the work would be intense in a 5 week period, I was not prepared for the volume of work each week. After I developed a system for planning and what needed to be accomplished each day, it actually became easier to manage. I like to have time to go over my assignments and modify them, which takes extra time that I really didn’t have during most weeks. The assignment that I really wish that I had more time to develop is the curriculum vitae and the internship plan. These assignments were the ones I felt rushed to put together, but I also understand that I will be adjusting and adapting these documents again as I work through this master’s program. I believe this has been a good starting point and I have completed everything I could to the best of my abilities so far.
                I was able to meet all assignment deadlines during these past 5 weeks, but it was really a struggle sometimes. Last week was stressful because of the amount of reading with the regular readings and book summary. This week the instructions regarding the Internship Plan were confusing, but with our instructional coaches’ help, I am able to organize them so that they are manageable. Sarah has been very good during this course to not only answer our questions promptly and in an understandable way, but she also provided encouragement when we seemed to be totally lost on the assignment. In addition, the collaboration tools we created provided an outlet to discuss and obtain our classmates thoughts, directions, and information that otherwise we may not have been able to acquire on our own. These were the things that kept me on task and believing that I could do this when I became discouraged.
                There are so many things that I learned in this short amount of time! About myself, I learned that even though I have been out of college for 30 years, I continue to have the ability and passion that I have always had to learn. This is one of the main reasons I left the corporate world and became a teacher 15 years ago. I can do this and it is a great feeling! About technology, there is so much that I am familiar with but don’t have a good working knowledge of. I am excited about the opportunity to continue to learn. I have also learned that we are not using technology to its fullest capacity and this is a disservice to our students. I am hoping to bring changes to my school, in whatever way I can, to incorporate additional technologies in our classroom. About my leadership skills, I feel that with my supervisory background and current position as CTE Department Head, I can create credibility when incorporating technology at my school. Hopefully, this will help me introduce new technology tools to my administrators and peers. About my attitude, I am more confident every day that I can learn and facilitate an environment where teachers and students can thrive in a learning community that involves the latest in technology.

Web Conference - Week 3

This week's web conference included a small group of classmates and Dr. Abshire, and I enjoyed it very much as it gave all of us a chance to really interact, ask questions and make comments to Dr. Abshire and each other. Without the ability to be in a classroom regularly, the web conferences allow us to informally discuss issues regarding the assignments and any difficulties we might need help with or tools we have used to assist us that others may find useful. In fact, I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere that the web conferences make available. We discussed the internship requirements, Animoto, Edmodo and the utilization of our newly discovered tools in our classrooms and at our schools. Thanks to all who attended for your valuable insight and assistance.  I know we are all extremely busy, but I encourage you to attend these in the future. I will definitely try to make time in my schedule. Hope to see you there!