Sunday, April 1, 2012
Course Reflection
1. I fair under visioned what really came of this course. To be honest, I didn't know what to expect when this class started. I thought I was just going to learn about technology and how to incorporate it into my classroom. I learned much more than just that in this class. I learn how to manage a blog, set-up a wiki, and how to filter blogs. I didn't know that I would be getting a principal certification at the end of this. Plus, I didn't know that I would be doing an internship. I thought I would simply have a masters' degree and would improve my class. Now, I am going to be able to come out of this masters' degree with a vision for maybe being an administrator. I would have to say that this class has given me things that I am going to start using next year in my class. I want to move myself and my students above and beyond what technology has to offer, so that they will be successful in the future.
2. The things I have learned will be things that I use daily in my classroom. I teach Technology Engineering and want a way to incorporate as much technology into my classroom as possible. I am going to have my students set up their own blogs instead of writing information on paper. They will be able to keep record of the information I have given them. Plus, I won't have to grade papers. I will just be able to read their posts online in order to give them a grade. I plan on starting a class wiki, where we can research information about different topics and record our information on it. For example, I have a project where my students make dragsters and we race them. They will be able to record their times online, then we can determine class mean, median, and mode. I can also have my students research information on renewable energy resources and then my students can collaborate online to put together a document on the subjects.
3. I really don't feel like there was much that I didn't achieve. If I had to choose something that I didn't achieve, it would be a full understanding of what I am suppose to do in my internship. I feel like I am suppose to take on this completely different job instead of being a teacher. We don't have a technology director in our school. We have an IT guy, who fixes the computers and runs our internet, but that is all his job consists of. Our Assistant Superintendent would be the person we go to for software, so maybe it is his job that I should be modeling. His job just comes with so many dynamics that I didn't think it was what I was going to be doing. I am going to work well with my building principal and hopefully I can tie in the standards with the plan I came up with. I just want to do things right, so it scares me to think that I might have screwed up and failed. I am ready to succeed in this program.
4. I was very successful in carrying out the course assignments. They were very fulfilling to complete for me. I really enjoyed making the Animoto project, even though I didn't spend enough money to put all the text in it that I wanted. I also liked making a PowerPoint presentation and learning how to embed it onto my wiki. I have really enjoyed planning things out and looking at the next step in my life. I feel like the assignments taught me different concepts that I hadn't thought of before like copyright law, technology assessments, etc. I plan on using many concepts of this course to lead me in a different direction in my classroom, plus my internship is going to be so beneficial. I have already felt closer to my administration team, than I have in the past two years of teaching. I feel like they are going to help mold me into a great leader and it will make me successful in the future.
5. I feel like I am a technological person. I have a laptop, I-phone, I-pod, etc., but there are things I am missing that need to be addressed. I always feel like I can learn more, because technology is always evolving. If I was a writer, I would think that blogging would be great. I think it is great for my kids, but I am really not journal writing kind of person. I am a mathematical think it out and solve the problem kind of person. I always use wikipedia for projects, so to actually create my own wiki was amazing. I can't wait to use the concept in my classroom. I feel like I have more to offer the world than to just be a teacher. I want to help change the technological world around me, starting with teachers in my school. I want to help them create things to use in their classroom and to not be scared of change. I have a long mission ahead of me, but I feel like in the end it is going to be a successful one.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Week 3 Conference
I wasn't present for Week 3 Conference, but I wanted to post something anyways. I feel like I have been left in the dark from not attending. This internship plan has become scary to me. I am so afraid of screwing everything up and trying to be Miss Perfect, that I haven't taken the time to just have fun with everything.
I want to get my hands dirty in the development of technology at my school. There are things in my school that are so outdated, that I think the dinosaurs were around in their time. We are slow to make changes, but I know that with my help we can change things for the better.
After watching the 21st Century Connection, I was inspired for find a grant to help get school laptops for the whole school. How cool would it be to see students doing their work on the computer instead of pencil and paper. They have to take their math and reading tests online anyways, so why not start at the beginning of school? So, that is my goal right now, to start looking at grants through maybe Dell or Intel.
Wish me luck :)
Kari
I want to get my hands dirty in the development of technology at my school. There are things in my school that are so outdated, that I think the dinosaurs were around in their time. We are slow to make changes, but I know that with my help we can change things for the better.
After watching the 21st Century Connection, I was inspired for find a grant to help get school laptops for the whole school. How cool would it be to see students doing their work on the computer instead of pencil and paper. They have to take their math and reading tests online anyways, so why not start at the beginning of school? So, that is my goal right now, to start looking at grants through maybe Dell or Intel.
Wish me luck :)
Kari
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Week 2 Web Conference
It was exciting to see all the new faces for the second web conference. Mrs. Borel was very reassuring when it came to the class and what the expectations were. I learned that I was the only Oklahoman in the class, but was relieved to find out that I wasn't the only one not from Texas.
Our internship was something I thought was only going to consist of technology opportunities, so I was a little apprehensive about doing it. The reason being is because I am one of the two technology people in my school and I have more experience than the other person. So, I didn't want to have a mentor that knew less than me. But to my relief, we were able to use our building principal, technology coordinator, or Assistant Superintendent. I chose to use my building principal as my mentor. I also didn't know that we were going to be receiving an administration certificate with this degree.
I have been so pumped up about moving forward with this, that I went ahead and had my papers signed and emailed them off. I am already planning out my internship starting with our Student Led Conferences this coming week. I am going to get to sit in the office and help with the paperwork that goes with enrollment.
I thank Mrs. Borel for making me feel comfortable about this class and this program. I feel that with her as an instructor I am going to be able to succeed. I look forward to every Thursday, so that I can keep up to date with the coursework and any pop ups.
Our internship was something I thought was only going to consist of technology opportunities, so I was a little apprehensive about doing it. The reason being is because I am one of the two technology people in my school and I have more experience than the other person. So, I didn't want to have a mentor that knew less than me. But to my relief, we were able to use our building principal, technology coordinator, or Assistant Superintendent. I chose to use my building principal as my mentor. I also didn't know that we were going to be receiving an administration certificate with this degree.
I have been so pumped up about moving forward with this, that I went ahead and had my papers signed and emailed them off. I am already planning out my internship starting with our Student Led Conferences this coming week. I am going to get to sit in the office and help with the paperwork that goes with enrollment.
I thank Mrs. Borel for making me feel comfortable about this class and this program. I feel that with her as an instructor I am going to be able to succeed. I look forward to every Thursday, so that I can keep up to date with the coursework and any pop ups.
Friday, March 9, 2012
National Educational Technology Plan
My first thought of hearing the National Educational Technology Plan was "Here we go again!". After reading the brief summary on the web page, I was more impressed on what was to come. The government might have actually gotten something right when they wrote this plan.
I really like the goals of the Obama Administration. To think that we use to be the leading nation in education and have now fallen off to 9th is a slap in the face. I've seen it coming slowly, but now it is here and we have to face up to the world we have created. The graduation rate needs to raise in college education. 41% is a very low number to me and I am glad to see that Obama's team is wanting to raise the standard to 60%.
"Close achievement gaps so that all students graduate from high school ready to succeed in college and in career" (National Plan, 7). We have to take this very seriously when it comes to our students. Many students go to college not prepared for what is coming and therefore end up flunking out or dropping classes repeatedly. In my school district, students aren't required to take math after they have finished their three credits. Well, if they took Algebra 1 in 8th grade, then Geometry in 9th, and Algebra 2 as a sophomore.... Think about the picture that it is painting. Unless that student has a parent that is on top of them and makes them take higher level math, they are going to go two years without math!! That is a scary and realistic reality.
The steps that were in the plan were very reassuring to me. I think we have to engage and empower our students when it comes to their learning. There has got to be a way to connect to every student and inspire them to achieve more. With that comes a battle with the way they are raised. It is hard to change learned behavior and I see that every day. I think that technology can be a way of inspiring students, because the traditional methods of reading a book and taking a test has to go out the window with the generation we are teaching.
Finally, some one was looking at assessments and got it right. "Measure what matters" is such a great statement. Not every student is the same and we keep putting all these students in the same bubble. Every student needs to have their own bubble to float around in, so they can learn the way that they do.
So many times, teachers hear a new plan is coming down the pike. It sticks around for a few years and they just have to "ride it out". I dont' see this one going away and it shouldn't. With that being said, teachers need to be more prepared and find that connection. If you are here to hurt students, then find a new job. If you want to inspire and mold students, then stick around and change your ways.
Infrastructure is the family structure that many students don't have in this day and age. Every one has to be willing to work together for the common good and the chain of command has to lead us to the common goals that we are trying to achieve. Probably one of the most key parts to this is productivity. The education system does have to be redesign, but I think in small amounts. We have to make the body of education work even if that means making it go on a diet or do some exercise. At one time, education worked excellent and I might not of read as much as kids do today, but I feel that I got a great education. We can't go away from everything that use to work, but we can revamp somethings to make the students of today learn better than they are now.
I really like the goals of the Obama Administration. To think that we use to be the leading nation in education and have now fallen off to 9th is a slap in the face. I've seen it coming slowly, but now it is here and we have to face up to the world we have created. The graduation rate needs to raise in college education. 41% is a very low number to me and I am glad to see that Obama's team is wanting to raise the standard to 60%.
"Close achievement gaps so that all students graduate from high school ready to succeed in college and in career" (National Plan, 7). We have to take this very seriously when it comes to our students. Many students go to college not prepared for what is coming and therefore end up flunking out or dropping classes repeatedly. In my school district, students aren't required to take math after they have finished their three credits. Well, if they took Algebra 1 in 8th grade, then Geometry in 9th, and Algebra 2 as a sophomore.... Think about the picture that it is painting. Unless that student has a parent that is on top of them and makes them take higher level math, they are going to go two years without math!! That is a scary and realistic reality.
The steps that were in the plan were very reassuring to me. I think we have to engage and empower our students when it comes to their learning. There has got to be a way to connect to every student and inspire them to achieve more. With that comes a battle with the way they are raised. It is hard to change learned behavior and I see that every day. I think that technology can be a way of inspiring students, because the traditional methods of reading a book and taking a test has to go out the window with the generation we are teaching.
Finally, some one was looking at assessments and got it right. "Measure what matters" is such a great statement. Not every student is the same and we keep putting all these students in the same bubble. Every student needs to have their own bubble to float around in, so they can learn the way that they do.
So many times, teachers hear a new plan is coming down the pike. It sticks around for a few years and they just have to "ride it out". I dont' see this one going away and it shouldn't. With that being said, teachers need to be more prepared and find that connection. If you are here to hurt students, then find a new job. If you want to inspire and mold students, then stick around and change your ways.
Infrastructure is the family structure that many students don't have in this day and age. Every one has to be willing to work together for the common good and the chain of command has to lead us to the common goals that we are trying to achieve. Probably one of the most key parts to this is productivity. The education system does have to be redesign, but I think in small amounts. We have to make the body of education work even if that means making it go on a diet or do some exercise. At one time, education worked excellent and I might not of read as much as kids do today, but I feel that I got a great education. We can't go away from everything that use to work, but we can revamp somethings to make the students of today learn better than they are now.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
School District Technology Plan
The goals of Blackwell Public Schools are to:
For students,
1. Use technology to enhance critical thinking, decision making and problem solving.
2. Expand knowledge through technology based instruction and research.
3. In using technology, to work ethically and independently with diverse and changing populations within the school and community.
4. Use technology to access, analyze, evaluate and communicate information in expedient, efficient, and creative formats.
5. All students using and receiving technology use in research and instructional applications shall demonstrate the successful relationship between technology and learning by showing proficient or advanced on CRT and EOI reading/Language Arts and Math Applications as it relates to AYP and EOI as it relates to ACE requirements by the school year 2012-2013.
For teachers,
1. Use technology to create an instructional map that is aligned with state and national curriculum standards and is both vertically and horizontally aligned within the district and site grades levels.
2. Use technology accurately and efficiently assess, monitor, analyze and communicate student progress.
3. Use technology to continually improve professional skills by using new technology applications as a strategy for instruction to increase student achievement.
4. Share technology skills, instruction and resources with colleagues, both locally and beyond as a part of the overall plan to provide collegial technology professional development through teaming.
5. Demonstrate leadership and vision in the quest to seek futuristic applications of technology that lead to increased student achievement and productivity.
6. Use technology to provide online professional development to increase timeliness, and reduce cost for travel and lost in-class instructional time.
7. Provide a smart board and connectivity coupled with LCD and portable keyboards for each appropriate classroom.
Teachers have opportunities to attend professional development, but there is a limited spot for it. The district only puts aside $2500.00 a year for professional development. Professional development is taken care by the Assistant Superintendent. There is also a team of teachers, who helps plan professional development activities.
On the evaluation form I received that was turned into the state department last year, there showed a portion of evaluations. I don't know how they evaluate these, because there really isn't an assessment given to them. I don't know if they are basing it off of who has taken Basic Keyboarding in Middle School. There is budget to help purchase technology and the district does put an application in to E-Rate for assistance.
For students,
1. Use technology to enhance critical thinking, decision making and problem solving.
2. Expand knowledge through technology based instruction and research.
3. In using technology, to work ethically and independently with diverse and changing populations within the school and community.
4. Use technology to access, analyze, evaluate and communicate information in expedient, efficient, and creative formats.
5. All students using and receiving technology use in research and instructional applications shall demonstrate the successful relationship between technology and learning by showing proficient or advanced on CRT and EOI reading/Language Arts and Math Applications as it relates to AYP and EOI as it relates to ACE requirements by the school year 2012-2013.
For teachers,
1. Use technology to create an instructional map that is aligned with state and national curriculum standards and is both vertically and horizontally aligned within the district and site grades levels.
2. Use technology accurately and efficiently assess, monitor, analyze and communicate student progress.
3. Use technology to continually improve professional skills by using new technology applications as a strategy for instruction to increase student achievement.
4. Share technology skills, instruction and resources with colleagues, both locally and beyond as a part of the overall plan to provide collegial technology professional development through teaming.
5. Demonstrate leadership and vision in the quest to seek futuristic applications of technology that lead to increased student achievement and productivity.
6. Use technology to provide online professional development to increase timeliness, and reduce cost for travel and lost in-class instructional time.
7. Provide a smart board and connectivity coupled with LCD and portable keyboards for each appropriate classroom.
Teachers have opportunities to attend professional development, but there is a limited spot for it. The district only puts aside $2500.00 a year for professional development. Professional development is taken care by the Assistant Superintendent. There is also a team of teachers, who helps plan professional development activities.
On the evaluation form I received that was turned into the state department last year, there showed a portion of evaluations. I don't know how they evaluate these, because there really isn't an assessment given to them. I don't know if they are basing it off of who has taken Basic Keyboarding in Middle School. There is budget to help purchase technology and the district does put an application in to E-Rate for assistance.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Week 1 Web Conference
The first web conference was so helpful. I loved how reassuring the professor was and she took away some of the worry that I was feeling. It helped with getting to manipulate the site before the big week of meetings. I enjoyed getting to see other people and working out the bugs.
Technology Assessments
Assess, assess, assess is all it seems to come to in the world we live in today. What should we be assessing? Who should we be assessing? are the questions that arise every month, every week, every day in the public school setting. I think we need to be able to look at growth in teachers as well as students when it comes different features of education, but at what cost are we conforming to "teaching to a test"?
Teachers should be using technology in the classroom as well as in life. This is a changing world from when I was in high school and that has only been 10 years ago. Assess sounds like such a harsh word to use when it comes to helping teachers understand how to use technology. I think more professional development should focus on teachers understanding how Smartboards, computers, and clickers work, but we don't have that much time to devote to these ideas. I think starting with simple steps, like online gradebooks, is a smart start in moving forward in a positive direction. I don't expect all teachers to understand technology the way that I do, but that doesn't mean it can't be used. We have to show them the basics in order for them to take grasp to the concept. So "show" to me is better than "assess" teachers and their technology knowledge.
Students are in the generation that technology is of the norm. I think most of our students will be teaching teachers how to use some of the products that we have. My parents and some teachers are of the age that the DVD player is something hard, but for students this is something they have grown up with. Teaching students how to use different products like Microsoft Office and Photoshop might be the trend we need to be teaching, but I don't really think there are too many students out there who don't know how to start up a basic computer.
Life without assessment, oh where would we be? I love teaching with technology and I find it interesting how far advanced students are than where I was 10 years ago. Technology is every changing and we have to change with it. Staying up to date with the latest gadgets is the only way to keep ahead of our students.
Teachers should be using technology in the classroom as well as in life. This is a changing world from when I was in high school and that has only been 10 years ago. Assess sounds like such a harsh word to use when it comes to helping teachers understand how to use technology. I think more professional development should focus on teachers understanding how Smartboards, computers, and clickers work, but we don't have that much time to devote to these ideas. I think starting with simple steps, like online gradebooks, is a smart start in moving forward in a positive direction. I don't expect all teachers to understand technology the way that I do, but that doesn't mean it can't be used. We have to show them the basics in order for them to take grasp to the concept. So "show" to me is better than "assess" teachers and their technology knowledge.
Students are in the generation that technology is of the norm. I think most of our students will be teaching teachers how to use some of the products that we have. My parents and some teachers are of the age that the DVD player is something hard, but for students this is something they have grown up with. Teaching students how to use different products like Microsoft Office and Photoshop might be the trend we need to be teaching, but I don't really think there are too many students out there who don't know how to start up a basic computer.
Life without assessment, oh where would we be? I love teaching with technology and I find it interesting how far advanced students are than where I was 10 years ago. Technology is every changing and we have to change with it. Staying up to date with the latest gadgets is the only way to keep ahead of our students.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Welcome to My Life
Nothing like starting your own blog to put your life into perspective. Well, hello!! My name is Kari Widener. I am a Christian, Wife, Mother, Coach, Teacher, Advisor, Daughter, Sister, Friend. I thank God every day for the life he has given to me. There are many times in my life I have wondered how I got to where I am now. I think too much and do too much in my life. I have so many skillets on the stove that I don't know which one to take off.
I have been married for almost 8 years. It's hard to believe that it has already been that long! We have struggled to get where we are, but God has brought us through it. We are closer now and love more deeply. Marriage is so tough, but yet it's worth seeing the two happy faces we have created together. I have a son and a daughter, Christian-6 and Kira-3. They are my pride and joy. I love them so much and it's so hard sometimes to not cry. I don't want them to grow up. If God would let me stay this age, I would do it forever. No dirty diapers, no turning 30, no getting gray hairs!!! Just me and my little family, happy together. Always.
I am a teacher and coach. Somedays I love it to pieces and other days I wonder if I am doing the right thing. I question myself too much. Am I doing a good job? Am I a joke? They always seem to pop up. I teacher Technology Engineering, which is a fancy name for Tech. Ed. I teach project based learning and put mathematics and science to work in Real Life. It's fun and hard at the same time, but I can handle it :)
Well that's enough for me tonight. I am not usually a writer, but this has helped me open up about somethings that are on my mind.
Night,
Kari
I have been married for almost 8 years. It's hard to believe that it has already been that long! We have struggled to get where we are, but God has brought us through it. We are closer now and love more deeply. Marriage is so tough, but yet it's worth seeing the two happy faces we have created together. I have a son and a daughter, Christian-6 and Kira-3. They are my pride and joy. I love them so much and it's so hard sometimes to not cry. I don't want them to grow up. If God would let me stay this age, I would do it forever. No dirty diapers, no turning 30, no getting gray hairs!!! Just me and my little family, happy together. Always.
I am a teacher and coach. Somedays I love it to pieces and other days I wonder if I am doing the right thing. I question myself too much. Am I doing a good job? Am I a joke? They always seem to pop up. I teacher Technology Engineering, which is a fancy name for Tech. Ed. I teach project based learning and put mathematics and science to work in Real Life. It's fun and hard at the same time, but I can handle it :)
Well that's enough for me tonight. I am not usually a writer, but this has helped me open up about somethings that are on my mind.
Night,
Kari
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