I really enjoy finding trends in data. I think the most valuable thing I learned in this class was how to make charts and graphs to graphically represent data. When I was breaking down the data for Lake Forest Elementary School (LFES), I began to see something interesting in the data. I was able to isolate that information and show it on a line graph so that it was clear to anyone who looked at it. Then I was able to go back through four years of data and show that same pattern. At that point, I could make a claim and support that claim with data. That’s powerful.
Now I can go back to LFES in the fall and show them the data. I can make recommendations on how we can use technology to affect change based on that information and collect data to track progress. Being able to read data gives me a power tool in my tool bag! Now I can align data driven learning strategies with school specific data to show school leaders, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders how technology can impact learning. As I create technology plans with LFES and its teachers, there may be some challenges along the way. As our demographics change, some people may say our data is not valid. Others may balk at having to change long-held teaching habits. Some teachers may struggle with technology integrations. Nevertheless, with data backing changes and decisions in instructional decisions we can back up our recommendations with data-driven strategies and interventions.
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In the field of instructional technology one must stay up-to-date on what is going on not only in instructional technology but also in education in general. The point at which these two fields meet is the nexus of where leaders in the field of instructional technology live. Using an RSS feed like Feedly is absolutely critical. In one location I can check all my favorite blogs for the latest tools or classroom integration strategies. I rely heavily on Richard Bryne, Free Technology for Teachers, and Vicki Davis, Cool Cat Teacher, for great tools and great strategies. Then I read Hack Ed and Educational Technology and Mobile Learning for more in-depth information on educational initiatives and movements within instructional technology including software and hardware trends as well as popular instructional strategies. For general educational information, I read Edutopia and Mindshift. Instructional technology is developing incredibly fast, and every day brings new information that I need to keep up with in order to be a leader in this field.
My Feedly also allows me to connect with others in instructional technology. I post responses and questions on the comments and blogs I read, I send articles and blog postings to colleagues who have an interest in the subject matters, and I use topics and ideas I find to generate my own blog posts. Almost daily I come across an article or blog that is applicable to a project I’m working on with a teacher I’m coaching or another coach I’m planning a project with. I click the share button and send it on to him or her with a note about how we can use this information. Also, I love tweeting out great information to share it with my PLN on Twitter. My RSS feed gives me another way to stay involved in my professional community. Through the course of this class, I have learned a lot about the leadership side of being an instructional technology professional. Working with ISTE’s Essential Conditions and looking at them through the lens of a visionary leader has been powerful. Shifting my mindset from the day-to-day role as a coach to the far reaching role of a leadership position has impacted how I think about myself as an instructional technology leader. Thinking in terms of years instead of grading periods or semesters has helped me understand the scope of a Shared Vision and its importance for a school and district. The Shared Vision Statement was a challenge to represent all shareholders, but I knew it was important to involve and represent all shareholders so they had ownership of the vision for technology. The SWOT analysis was an intense dive into the inner workings of an instructional technology department with a school district and made me understand the importance of ISTE’s Essential Conditions. It is hard to have so many different aspects of technology functioning effectively; however, It is critical for a technology program to run well. A school or district’s strengths are only going to be strengths as long as the district is able address the weaknesses and identify threats as well as develop opportunities into new strengths. This is where an action and evaluation plan comes into play. A strong action and evaluation plan is the roadmap that allows a school or district to move forward in realizing its vision. As instructional technology leaders it is the vision, the dream of the future, that keeps us working for our students. |
Ana HaleHula Hoop Champion, 1980 Crestwood Middle School (I can't believe I peaked in the '80s) Archives
November 2017
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