Week 5 EDLD5363 - Multimedia and Video Technology

I have had the pleasure of working with a great group during this class creating a video. I originally expected it to be difficult to collobrate and create over the web but it has all gone well. We are all ready for the Christmas break and hope you enjoy our video.

EDLD5363 Multimedia and Video Technology

Webconference Reflections - Due to my busy schedule and the time of year with mutliple commitments it was very difficult to attend many webconferences. That however is not a problem! They are recorded for future viewing as well as a transcript is made available. I have to admit I mainly had time to read over the transcripts. I did find them helpful and informative. There were several times when I had a question that was answered in the webinar and thus made something easier to understand. I am very thankful for the recordings and transcripts. I realize that everyone doesn't have the time to attend the webinar but they are still able to recieve the information through the recording and transcripts.

EDLD5363 Multimedia Video Technology Week 1

The assignment for Week 1 of EDLD5363 Multimedia Video Technology was to creat a personal video.  I know for some this may be difficult for some but not for me.  I hope this video will not only meet the requirements for this class but serve as an inspiration for parents that may be beginning the journey of CHD.  For those not familiar with Congenital Heart Defects  it is the number one birth defect affecting one out of every 100 children born. 

EDLD5362 Informational Systems Management Week 4

This week in EDLD5362 we were required to write a paper on the classroom of the future.  I have attached the paper to this blog.

Please click <here> to view the paper.

Libby

EDLD 5364 Teaching With Technology Final Reflection

It has been a wonderful 5 weeks in EDLD5364. I can't believe we are at the end of this class already. To be honest the time has flown by. I feel that this has been a very interesting class and must admit what I thought the class would be and what the class actually was are entirely two different things.

 

As an Instructional Technology Specialist I have to admit my attitude was a little "cocky" in that I believed I was already Teaching with Technology and had for years. What I didn't realize was the importance of technology in meeting the needs of all learners. It isn't just a tool to use with a product as the ultimate result. It is so much more!

 

Current educators are faced with being able to differentiate for students with different learning styles and different abilities more than ever. Students are no longer segregated into classes because of learning abilities or levels. It is truly possible you could have students with many different issues.

 

I now feel that my job will take on an entirely new direction. As the Instructional Technology Specialist in my district I now see a whole new set of goals and responsibilities. I must find ways for teachers to use technology to meet the needs of all their students. I must encourage them and show them tools that are available to help them and be on call to assist them in that new direction. I must also always be on the lookout for technology to meet those goals.

 

Because of EDLD5364 I truly believe that doing my job will not only be harder but easier. It will be harder because the need to find the appropriate tools is much more important to me and easier because I truly understand the direction I must take.

 

 

EDLD 5364 Teaching with Technology - Week 4 Reflection

This has been a very interesting week technologically speaking.  I have enjoyed the readings and videos this week but struggled with technology on the work side.  We have experienced the down side of technology in schools with loosing our filter. That lead to the Internet being down not only for teachers, staff but students as well.   The timing of that was interesting at least.

When we as technology educators loose our "lifeline" aka the Internet we are at a loss.  I use the Internet for just about everything I do with my job and my own personal school.  It was quite interesting to go almost 2 days with little or no Internet connectivity. It made me really appreciate using the Internet in class.

This brought to mind the video "Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts" where Vicki Davis was interviewed.  She states "I believe every student can learn. Every child can learn. But where children have trouble is when you have only paper and only pencil then only certain types of children are going to succeed."  A light really went on in my head hearing her say this.  Quite frankly I was a teacher long before classrooms had computers and the Internet and always thought every child could learn with paper and pencil.  I realized how far we have come in helping ALL students succeed and be successful in school.  Technology is not just there to enhance learning it is there for learning and making sure that every child learns in the way that is best for them. 

I believe that look on technology in education has grown through this course.  I now see many ways that I can help teachers in my district make sure that every child succeeds and many ways that I can show them to make sure technology is a helper for all students.

EDLD5364 Teaching with Technology Lesson Plan Reflection

This week's lesson was very intensive!  There not only was much material to be read and viewed but created as well.  Through this process I have learned new things that I will be able to share with the teachers in our district.  I have found the CAST websites to be incredible and resources that every current teacher can and should utilize. 

I know that it has been a tiring week and here at 8pm on Sunday night I am still finding things to do! 
Here are my lesson plans for our group UDL

Universal Design for Learning Lesson Plan
Teacher(s): Elizabeth Hamilton Date: 1st 6 Weeks - Week 4 Subject: 9th Grade English 1
Materials Needed: Make sure you have all of your materials collected and organized so

your lesson will flow smoothly. If you are presenting this lesson collaboratively, make sure you know who is responsible for what.

1. Computers for all students (30) with Internet Access, computers need to be loaded with Screenreader software to meet needs of various students 2. Projector 3. SMARTboard and Notebook software 4. Access to Websites: www.google.com; http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/pinball/, http://bookbuilder.cast.org/ 5. Print out of all essays for every student 6. Build ebook using: http://bookbuilder.cast.org/ 7. eBook: http://bookbuilder.cast.org/view.php?op=model&book=16770&page=1

Lesson Objective(s): State your objectives behaviorally. For example: Given (state the condition under which the
students will perform the objective), the students will (state an observable student behavior) with (state the criteria here –
a statement that specifies how well the student must perform the behavior) accuracy. An example of a behavioral objective
is: Given an unlabeled diagram of the solar system, the students will label the nine planets and the sun with 80% accuracy.

Students will publish final essays to a collaborative Google Site. Students will be divided into 10 groups of 3 for reflection. The students will use the HOTS method of reflection critique giving constructive feedback to fellow students. Students will be given class time for final revision of essay following critiques. Students will create an eBook using Cast Bookbuilder.

Standard/Benchmark/Indicator: Are you aligning your lesson with district or state standards?

ISTE NETS-1-a&b, 2-b, 3-c, 5-a&b, 6-a&b TEKS: 13D, 13E

DAY ONE

Anticipatory Set: How are you going to motivate your students…assess or review prior knowledge…
introduce your topic…organize your lesson for students?

Students brainstorm using online graphic organizer Pinball uses for google docs.

Multiple Means of Representation: How are you going to present your content so that it meets the
needs of all students…is the information represented in different ways? For example, utilizing guided notes and graphic
organizers in addition to a lecture format or having several books that represent different reading levels.

Content will be represented using graphic organizers and after developing they will be printed for students to retain.

Multiple Means of Engagement: How are you going to provide multiple pathways for students to actually
learn the material presented? Practice, or active mental/physical engagement, is required by students to make real learning
happen. For example, some students may benefit from small group learning opportunities; others may require more focused
practice with precise feedback, while others might benefit from working independently. Some students will need to write,
others will need to talk through ideas before they understand, while others may need to physically represent what they are learning.

Students can access the group essays either on the group google site or through the printout. They will use google docs to create their critique and share with team members.

Multiple Means of Expression: How will students demonstrate what they have learned? Again, the creation
of many paths is key. Some students are good test-takers, while others are not. Tiered assignments, oral exams, building a model,
making a video, using portfolio assessment are examples of alternatives to traditional paper/pencil tests.

Students will publish their final essays to their collaborative Google Site. Students will be randomly grouped using the Random Generator in the SMART Notebook for critiquing using the HOTS method of reflection critique giving constructive feedback. Final writing will be turned into an eBook using CAST’s UDL Book Builder site.

DAY TWO
Anticipatory Set: How are you going to motivate your students…assess or review prior knowledge…
introduce your topic…organize your lesson for students?

Question to students "Have you ever read a book onine?" Students will be shown an eBook from CAST UDL Book builder site. http://bookbuilder.cast.org/view.php?op=model&book=16770&page=1

Provide Guided Practice:

Teacher will demonstrate creating an eBook using CAST UDL Book Builder. Students will also be provided with oral and printed directions.

Multiple Means of Representation: How are you going to present your content so that it meets the needs
of all students…is the information represented in different ways? For example, utilizing guided notes and graphic
organizers in addition to a lecture format or having several books that represent different reading levels.

eBook presents material visually and with sound.

Multiple Means of Engagement: How are you going to provide multiple pathways for students to actually
learn the material presented? Practice, or active mental/physical engagement, is required by students to make real learning
happen. For example, some students may benefit from small group learning opportunities; others may require more focused
practice with precise feedback, while others might benefit from working independently. Some students will need to write,
others will need to talk through ideas before they understand, while others may need to physically represent what they are learning.

Students will be placed in groups for collaborative critique, they will use computers and websites to upload their essays, and use a website to create an eBook.

Multiple Means of Expression: How will students demonstrate what they have learned? Again, the creation
of many paths is key. Some students are good test-takers, while others are not. Tiered assignments, oral exams,
building a model, making a video, using portfolio assessment are examples of alternatives to traditional paper/pencil tests.

Students will post their document to the class Google Site. Students will create an eBook using CAST UDL Book Builder.

EDLD5364 - Teaching With Technology Post Web Conference Reflectioin

I wanted reflect upon the Week 3 Web Conference that was held Wednesday, September 12, 2012.  I realize that  this isn't in order but none the less important.

I was finally able to attend the weekly webinar.  I have been so busy with my work schedule that I simply was unable to attend.  These first three weeks have been without a doubt the busiest ever in my 25 years in education.  Although I am not directly involved with any new technology roll out I seem to be busier than ever.  We have added iPads in the district and I am always fielding questions about them although I am not directly over them the teachers depend upon me for answers. 

I enjoyed the webinar and found the information practical and useful.  Most of the time was spent going over semantics of submitting assignments and uploading to TK20.  I did enjoy hearing Prof. Borel who is incredible supportive and available to her students.

I have amazed with all of the professors in this program at Lamar and their openness to their students.  They provide contact information that even include cell phone numbers in case you have questions!  I don't remember anything like that when I was in under graduate college (but cellphones didn't exist in the dark ages of the 70's). 

CAST UDL Book Builder - Book for EDLD5364

One of the assignments for this week was to use the CAST UDL Book Builder and build a book online.  This is a great site and I plan on sharing it with all the teachers in Azle ISD.  I think there are many that would enjoy using this tool as another way to use technology to reach students.

Go check out my book:  Internet Safety for Teens

EDLD5364 Teaching With Technology - Week 3 Post

I have been teaching with technology for over 10 years.  I didn't have access to materials like I was exposed to this week and had to research, attend workshops and scour the internet for ideas.  I think since I started teachers are much better prepared to use technology in their classrooms due to the availability of materials that show them how, the actual technology itself and the desire to use technology with their students.

In 1999 I was put into a technology classroom to figure it out on my own!  There were no inservices to give me ideas, no textbooks  available, and I didn't even have a projector to demonstrate to the students.  As the years have gone by there have been many changes in our district and many others as well.  All the teachers in our district now have projectors, SMARTboards, laptops, and iPads for use in their classrooms.  On top of that they have many training opportunities that show them how to incorporate those and other technology in their classroom.

Since I am the Instructional Technology Specialist for our district I have the pleasure of working with the teachers and am out in the classrooms seeing technology used.  I see students enjoying the technology and creating awesome technology projects that just a few years ago we would have never dreamed about. 

I particularly enjoyed the two videos this from Luis and Cameron.  I see in them the future of education.  I see 2 students that love what they are doing and incorporate it not only into their school but home.  I see that because of them teachers are realizing that using multimedia isn't hard.  If students Cameron's age and younger can create videos other students can as well.  I know that many of our campuses have flip cameras and teachers are using them in class having students create video projects. In the past year we have created a "share server" where students can download their video to so the group can have access to the material.  As part of my job I have made teachers aware of various free websites where they and their students can build their video.  I have taught teachers about PhotoStory, MovieMaker, Animoto, Xtranormal, Slideroll and many others.  I see teachers using video projects all the time and the students are just like Luis and Cameron - they love it!  I think the 2 books that had reading assignments are good resources although I think some of the material in  Web 2.0 new tools, new schools is a little dated. 

I have seen technology change education dramatically in the last 10 years and see it moving at an incredibly fast past!  I don't see technology going away I see teachers quickly adapting, using technology daily and more than ever students are engaged in their lessons.  I see students with technology at home bringing it into the classroom.   One great example of a teacher using technology was our AP World History summer assignment this year.  The teacher assigned a book and a group of students were then to create a 10 minute video over the book.  I personally witnessed a group of young men working on their video because I have the video cameras and the students shot their video at my house including my own son.  I saw students engaged in meaningful dialog regarding the material and how to best re-create the concept in film.  I saw them work collaboratively and create a movie that was worthy of a an A.  Did they learn the material?  You bet they did.  In speaking with them regarding the assignment they were all excited and really enjoyed it. 

I'm guilty of loving technology and wish every teacher would embrace it with their classrooms.  Not all do and I think it will take a few more years to see every single teacher at the point they feel comfortable.  My goal is to work with those teachers having difficulty and make it easier for the sake of the students!

EDLD5364 - Teaching With Technology - Week 2 Post

This week has been a week of confirmation for me.  I have learned that I am not alone in believing that technology makes a difference in education.  I have read articles by educators that have echoed my thoughts.  I have watched videos that showed me that no matter your learning style or your capabilities technology can benefit your education. 

I love technology!  I'm the person that is lost without being attached to something be it my laptop, iPad or smart phone.  I love learning about what is new in technology and am fascinated with the digital natives in our schools. 

I love that technology can make differences in how and what students learn.  I love that technology is available for ALL students no matter where they come from, how they learn, or what their capabilities are.  I love the confirmation that technology can make a students have better self esteem. 

I love that I am part of technology and making a difference in students lives. 

The materials this week were awesome and hopefully everyone in this class feels the same.  All I can say is hold on---this technology ride is getting ready to explode with devices, apps, and cool new things!

EDLD5364 - Teaching with Technology Week 1 Reflection

Constructivism, Connectivism and Cyborg learning theories O my!  I really understand how constructivism and connectivism work in education and will continue to work in education for a long time.

In constructivism the theory suggest that we never learn anything from scratch and that all ideas stem from something that is already in your brain.  This builds or constructs the framework. I don't believe this will ever go away, maybe change but will always be involved in learning.  It is obvious. 

Connectivism has also been around when we really think about it for a long time as well.  People have always been connected and learning from others has always occurred.  But, now with computers, wide world web, smartphones, Skype, and many other technologies we are more connected than ever!  With Facebook we are making connections with people we haven't seen in a long time.  No more are the days of learning about happenings in another part of the world and important part of the evening news.  We know almost instantly when something happens around the world due to technology.  This connectivisim I believe will only increase.  We now have teachers using Skype in the classroom to reach other classrooms live via webcams.  Fifty years ago the only way to connect to a classroom would have been via the mail and it took weeks to receive letters. 

The Cyborg Learning theory really scares me right now.  Will it in the future?  I can't answer.  I am a true believer in the advances of technology and education.  I like that technology can save a person's life when a pacemaker is implanted.  But, I don't know if I'm ready for a chip to be implanted that will know when I approach a building and open the door for me.  I don't know if people in general are ready for that either.

I do know that as educators we are working during an incredibly fascinating world right now.  I love the advances in technology that allow me to work from my computer basically anywhere.  I love that I can communicate with someone many miles away via a text message and even send them a picture if I want.  I know that students in the classroom are the same way.  They cannot be away from their technology so it is important that we as educators embrace every type of technology that we can to help our students learn.

Critical Reflection EDLD5366

Where have these 5 weeks gone?  I can't believe class is over and another already beginning.  This is a topic that I really enjoy---digital graphics and webpage development.  Both are something that I do in my job as an Instructional Technology Specialist.

Here is my reflection for the end of course assignment:

Reflection is something that we are seeing used more and more in the classroom.  I feel it is necessary and beneficial.  In my opinion it is necessary for true understanding.  Critical reflection actually allows for the learning to reach the highest level of Bloom’s by Evaluating and then Creating.  The evaluation allows the learner to review the learning and the process of creating the reflection meets the top of Bloom’s through creating.  Creating a reflection allows the learner to put down their thoughts into words that can express what they learned but also how they felt bout said learning.

The learner should be critical of their reflection.  They should be truthful but it is not necessary to

simply repeat the knowledge learned.  I think there are some that will have problems with this as expressed in the article that was part of our reading assignment. According to Jackie Gerstein, Ed.D., the current generation is a product of a standardized system that is required to memorize standard information for standardized tests.  I feel that she is right in many ways but, it is the responsibility of every teacher to make sure that their students can do more.  I believe the process of reflection can allow for that. 

Through this course we have been allowed to critically reflect many times.  The use of the forum allows each to post about their learning, read fellow students reflections and then post to them.  Through the use of response it allows all learners to further learn.  I realize that that might seem redundant but, by reading the posts of my fellow classmates I learn more through their posts because each of us sees things, learns things and reflects in a different way.  There have been times there was something that I didn’t quite comprehend but after reading forum posts I was able to have the “aha” moment. 

I must confess that I was very unsure of the group project.  I wondered how in the world we could work together on something such as a website.  Through email though we developed a vision and were able to come together creating a website that was truly a collaborative effort. 

Regarding the use of websites in the classroom I have used them in the past and feel they can be an excellent tool for many reasons.  The process of the development and planning is a great use of collaboration.  Students must work together for the good of the group.  It has become so much easier to use this form of collaboration since there are many ways to use Google or other free websites for creation. 

I can see the use of critical reflection in the classroom as very rewarding and encouraging higher level thinking that is necessary for students. I think it must be used starting at lower elementary and developed throughout a student’s school years.  We can no longer expect students to be able to “just spit back facts” they must understand what they have learned and how it fits into life.

My animation

EDLD5366 Digital Graphics - Week 3 Animation

What a great week!   I have always loved using animation in the technology classroom.  When I was working at the junior high level I loved using animation with all classes.  I just never realized that what I was doing was involving Bloom's Taxonomy! 

This week I learned about "Blooms Digital Taxomony"!  Here is a link to an article that will help explain it further:  http://www.techlearning.com/article/blooms-taxonomy-blooms-digitally/44988

How can we prepare our students for the future if we don't use digital animation? You can't.  Our students love to create and use computers.  What better way to keep your students engaged. 

Try it in your class I"m sure you will be surprised in the wonderful way students of all ages can ebrace technology and create a great product!

Week 1 assignment 1.2- EDLD5366 - ET8047

In Week 1 assignment for EDLD5366-Digital Graphics and Web Design we are to investigate an ancient manuscript and books.  This is to give us insight into the history of graphic communication and how the principles of design were used in early manuscripts. 

I went to the British Library online and actually looked at the following:  Bible from Ethiopia, Lisbon Hebrew Bible, Baybars' magnificent Qu'ran, and Outstanding 15th-century church book.  I wanted to view them all and found each to be extremely fascinating but will focus this assignment on only one -the Lisbon Hebrew Bible.  It is viewable at:  http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/virtualbooks/viewmostviewed/index.html#

At first glance the beautiful and elaborate cover is visually appealing.  I believe the use of gold signifies the importance of the book.  The cover also uses the design qualities of contrast, alignment and repetition.  The use of the the Star of David in the corners of the cover, the inside corners of the rectangle and in the center are use of repetition as well as the circular design.  Alignment is represented on the cover through the use of lines and the centering of the Star of David. 

Throughout this book you will find the four design principles used.  The use of color for contrast is used in the actual text - gold against a white velum background is one and another is the use of a red background with gold text indicating important text.  On pages 2 and 3 you will see an elaborate border with features that are carried throughout the book resulting in repetition-use of color, design features, shapes and flowers.  Alignment is represented throughout the book with text being inside decorative rectangular areas and later in the book the text is aligned in columns separated by the use of variations of the design from pages 2 and 3.  The representation of proximity is evident throughout the book as well.  Information is well organized, not crowded and visually appealing.  Pages included well spaced text with elements throughout that belong together.

The study of these beautiful manuscripts is very enlightening.  I don't know if these were written with the four principles in mind but they do meet these qualifications.  I find it fascinating that we can find these principles throughout history and that we still follow them many years later.

Week 5 EDLD5301 - Research

Week 5 is ending and this class is almost history. This has been a very interesting and enjoyable course.  I must admit that what I thought this class would be and what it turned out to be are entirely different.  That was a pleasant surprise. 

As I mentioned in my discussion board post, when I attended college in the 1970’s research meant an entirely different thing.  At that time when a class required research or a research paper you went to the college library to start.  Of course back then the thought of using a personal computer and something called “Google” didn’t exist or enter the minds of college students.  We used the card catalog to start finding resources.  Hopefully if you needed a periodical such as a magazine it would be available and not already in use by another student since there would only be one copy!  Once your materials were collected you started taking notes, not on a computer but by handwriting them on 3 x 5 note cards.  My how times have changed.

When I first read that I was going to have a “research” class what I expected and what I received are on different ends of the spectrum.  I honestly expected that we would be taught how to gather data and cite sources correctly.  Having been out of the classroom as a student for over 25 years I realize that research has changed just as life has changed. 

Research to me now means something totally different and this really is a good thing.  Action research as we have learned isn’t about reading books and writing a paper.  It is about actually developing a topic that you want to research using a process involving others. 

Through the course of this 5 week course we have learned how to develop and fine tune our action research project.  We have worked not only with one another to develop our plans, but with our site supervisors and the professor as well.  Through the use of videos, readings, discussion boards and blogs we have learned so much.  We have learned how to write the plan of action and develop a template which will give us organization in our plan and research. 

In addition, I am really excited to start my action research project.  I know in the past just the mention of research brought horrible thoughts and memories.  That is no longer the case!

Action Research Plan

It is getting time to narrow this down, fine tune it as you might say. 

I am Instructional Technology Specialist and am working on my M.ED in Education Technology it only makes sense that my "Action Research Plan" would include technology!  It was actually very easy to come up with an idea as it was something "rattling" around in my head anyway. 

We opened our wireless through out the district the last month of school during the 2011 -2012 school year.  I worked with all the teachers in the district offering them ideas for lessons as well as websites that were easy to use with their classes.  I know that not 100% of the teachers embraced and even used this new tool.  But, I also know that several did and the students enjoyed it! 

That lead me to my action research plan ---"Does BYOT/BYOD affect student engagement, student passing rate and behavior referrals?

Week 4 -EDLD5301 Research

I'm quite concerned that no one has posted any thoughts about my action research.  As part of our assingment this week we are asked to review 2 comments.  I can't review 2 since I have none!  If you are following this blog could you please post something for me to review?

My action research is:  Is there a correlation between the use of BYOT/BYOD in the secondary classroom and student engagement, student course passing rates and behavior refferals?

In reviewing last weeks post it copied over really strangely and maybe that is why no on has responded.

Week 3 – EDLD 5301 Research – Action Research Plan

Action Planning Template
Goal: To find if there is a correlation between the use of BYOT/BYOD in the secondary classroom and student engagement, student passing rates and behavior referrals from inappropriate use of BYOT/BYOD.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Student Engagement – various class lessons using BYOT/BYOD throughout the year with at least one per week. I will provide teachers with lesson planning assistance and online resources that can be used with their students.	Classroom Teachers Myself   Students	Start: August 27, 2012   End: May 30, 2013	Engagement Meters appropriate for class Online poll for students to record engagement using Celly.com	Teacher use of engagement meters and anonymous online surveys using Celly.com. Teachers will submit to me results of engagement meters via email to be charted for comparison.
Student Passing Rates	Myself	Start: August 27, 2012   End: May 30, 2013	Online Grade Book to pull passing reports	Grades will be compared to classes where BYOT/BYOD was not implemented for comparison.
Behavior Referrals	Myself Teachers Principals	Start: August 27, 2012   End: May 30, 2013	Referral Programs which are part of the grade book program	Pull reports for teachers using BYOT/BYOD and compare to previous year and other classes where BYOT/BYOD was not implemented.

Many lessons have been learned from this week's lessons.  First, I have always believed that teachers must never stop learning and the readings this week only emphasized that fact. I think that is one reason I love technology so much, log on to your computer, go to the internet and there is always something new to learn about using technology in education.

Second, I have learned that learning doesn't stop with teachers.  Everyone in the district from the superintendent all the way down through every employee must always strive to learn something new.  The students in the district depend on this!

Finally, I realize that I am really just beginning this exploration and that I look forward to this adventure.  I find myself thinking in different ways and making decisions differently. 

Stay tuned for the trip!

How Educational Leaders Might Use Blogs!

How might educational leaders use blogs?  My answer to this is "as many ways as the number of blog posts they read!"  I think it is essential in this time we live in to follow and read numerous blogs. 

I love sharing the story of when I first wanted to follow and read a blog at school.  At that time the word "blog" was a nasty, dirty word!  They were all blocked on the district network.  Unbelievable to even think that would happen isn't it?  

I had become a member of the Discovery Educator Network and wanted to follow and respond to several Discovery blogs.  I couldn't so I talked with my building principal and found out I would have to go through several channels to get this approved.  This was the requirement:  I requested the blog to be unblocked by my principal.  He sent the request to the technology coordinator who sent it to his boss the finance director.   The finance director sent it to the superintendent!  He then reviewed it and approved it.  He sent an email back to the financial director who sent it to the technology coordinator who sent it to my principal who sent it back to me.  Did I loose you?  Probably because it was insane!

Luckily, this is no longer the situation and everyone in the district to blogs.  I can think of no other PLC that can have as great of effect on educators!  I love seeing, reading and learning about what others are doing and what works for them.  We are lucky that educators as a whole LOVE to share!

To take this further I think it would be wonderful if blogs became required and that following several was also required for all employees.  I know that as an educator I never stop learning and and am always searching for what is new and works!  Everyone should do the same!

Action Research

In repsonse to my first assignment for Lamar Class Ed5301 I am required to write a description of what I have learned about action research and how I will use it. 

I have learned that action research makes sense and is what my district has been doing for sometime.  It is simply another "name".  What is it?  Identifying an issue that is relevant to the district, the campus, or the classroom.  Then developing the solution based upon that.  Instead of just applying someone's research and ideas to ours and hoping it fits. 

Action research makes much more sense! How can we as educators and administrators apply some one's solution to our individual problem and expect it to solve the issue?  Isn't it funny that in years past that was exactly what was done and we wondered why the problems weren't fixed!

Are we perfect now that we understand action research?  No, but by understanding that we must meet the needs and problems that are ours, not someone's, we can not only have more successful students but more successful teachers and administrators. 

We are finally on the right road and headed in the right direction.  Let's keep this moving and achieving!