WK+4+4.5+4.6+Reflections

  Reflections 4-5 Chapter 7 Procedures, Policies, Planning, and Budgeting for Technology Environments  Standard VII explains the importance of planning for the future and dealing with the present. The tasks involved are being able to plan, procure, implement and maintain the present technology system. I believe that TF/TL-VII to be very important. Under this performance indicator, technologists must ensure that technology facilitators and resources support classroom instruction (Williamson & Redish, 2009). In my district I’m the teacher facilitator for the social studies department not the technology facilitator. We actually have a person who has been designated as the person to come if you need a work order for a technology related issue. However this person has no      technology training other than the desire to follow up on work order submission. I      agree with the above stated indicator that states technology leaders and facilitators must ensure that the school facility sufficiently support technology integration by      providing an infrastructure with adequate bandwidth for Internet access, well- maintained equipment, update software, and immediate technical support when problems occur (Williams & Redish, 2009). Many of the resources that we use require internet access. This is one of the frustrations of using technology in the classroom. I      have spoken with the technology department and they state the problem is not enough bandwidth. For this reason many teachers do not use all the resources available to      them. While reading, I thought about performance indicator VII.C. This indicator states that it is the responsibility of the district or facilitator to provide professional expertise to educators, increasing their ability to manage, and maintain a technology rich learning environment (Williamson & Redish, 2009). As far as I know, my campus has never had a person from the technology department facilitate a professional development opportunity at the campus level for all teachers. We occasionally see a      technician but there is no ongoing communication between the technology department and the teaching staff. This is one of the reasons I decided to pursue this training.   Reference  Williamson, J. & Redish, T. (2009).// Social, ethical, legal and human issues. // InL. Gansel & L. Brandau (Eds.), // Iste’s Technology facilitation and leadership standards: What every k-12 // Leader should know and be able to do. (pp.123-146). Eugene. OR: // International Society for // //  Technology in education. //   4.6 Reflections on Technology Facilitator Standard VII: Leadership and Vision  When thinking about my district, I see no apparent vision or direction when it comes to      technology. There is no one inspiring a diverse group of people to establish and accomplish common goals (Williamson & Redish, 2009). I have read several articles that address what an effective school should look like and they state that all effective schools have one thing in common and that is a shared vision. It also states that this vision must be apparent at all levels, to include technology. According to the authors, technology can be used to promote student-centered, performance-based instruction, higher-order thinking and problem solving (Williamson & Redish, 2009). I understand how important vision is, but on my campus the vision is all about the TAKS and student achievement. Standard VII addresses leadership and it states that in order for leadership to advance it      requires a Vision. My question is who are these mask men and women and where will they come from? I believe that they should come from the district and community and and that is where the tone must be set. Many times I ask myself how canI help to      improve technology on my campus? The answer is to continue to educate myself and share what I have learned with others who are willing to listen and learn.