EDLD 5363 – Week 2 Blog

This week there is a discussion over what is to be expected for the podcast. It seems that we are to create a tutorial over a type of video editing software. It would be good for us to be able to be familiar with a wide variety of video editing software for our teachers use and for our students. It will not only be our job to deliver the content to the teachers but to be able to adapt and integrate the technology with students as well. A discussion was also brought up about tagging for our video postings and what that can do for you to get your publications out on the web. Overall this conference was very informative and I hope it made my assignment turn out better because of this. I know that I am still learning but I will do well and become great at this as well.

EDLD 5363 – Week 5 Blog

We were told at the beginning that we will eventually be switching over to Black Board, which will be nice to see that side of it. It also seems that we are going to be messed with for the classes. Apparently Dallas messed something up for week 5 and we are getting credit for the Discussion boards for weeks 4 and 5. There will also be no final exam, which I do not recall seeing anything about in the assignment course syllabus but oh well, I know I would have aced it anyways. It also seemed that the cameras were causing trouble for the assignment as well. I was curious about when this degree program started and Dr. Abernathy said it started in November 2008, which is pretty neat. I wish I could have started with the first one but it is what it is.

EDLD 5363 Week 2 post

This week was interesting in trying to find a good video editing tool that is also free for everyone to use. This is very important as budget issues became more complicated to deal with in the present and future. I noticed that we had a few suggestions in our readings but I wanted to try using CNET to find some good programs to use. I tried to use a couple of programs that I am not familiar with but I did not have any luck in using them, they were not user friendly. In addition, like myself, students want to spend a few minutes in trying to figure out how to use it and the programs I played with were not very user friendly. I decided to create a podcast about Windows Movie Maker 11, as it is very user friendly and easy to use. I know that many people are using this as their assignment too, but there is a reason why so many people seem to like it. I have used the older version before to make music videos in the past, but I think this version is a lot better. The one thing I wish this did better was to show the timeline to see how everything lines up. This feature seemed to disappear with the new version but overall I think the program works out better this time around in general.

Week 1 EDLD 5363

This was a fun week so far as I was able to create a story about my dog for this week's assignment. I tried to keep a theme of all her crazy disaster stories and found some good pictures that we have taken to document the incident. I did try to put more of a fun twist with my pictures as I would put a caption for each pic to create a smile for the reader. Through the planning process, I wrote out a script that I would like to follow and inserting the pictures when I would like them to appear. I used Photo Story 3 to create the pictures and I did not like the lack of allowing the user to determine when the picture comes into play. In my rough draft, I had the correct picture number for easy retrieval and a description of the picture. After I had created my script, I emailed a copy of it to my partner and allowed him to review it. It was suggested that time could be a factor and this was confirmed as I timed a silent read through the script and found that I would be at about a minute and a half. I decided to go add more to the story to set up the crime scene for the viewer. After I added more story and a couple more pictures, I was ready to create the project. I made sure that my transitions were smooth and they would reveal the way I would want the viewer to see the picture, not just a random transition. I decided to add a music background to my story but I made sure that it stayed very low in the background so you can still hear the story. I was also disappointed in the program as it started every recording with a loud popping noise and I did not have the ability to edit that part out.

EDLD 5364 Week 2

This week was a very good week for me. I was able to meet up with my group members and at first I think there was a lot of confusion on what was expected of us. When we met the second time we were able to get everything planned out for the most part and we finally had direction to what our goal was for the project. After the web conference I was finally able to understand what was expected of us for the project and go from there. As far as the readings were concerned, I am very excited about the Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works. I was able to find a few websites from the first chapter that will be beneficial for our group project and sites I can use in my own classroom getting students prepared for TAKS. I even browsed through ahead to the second chapter which is rare since I am not one who enjoys reading. I am the type that does not want an explanation just let me jump in to it and figure things out for myself. I blame wanting interactive technology, but I know I can't use that excuse. The rest of the readings were ok, a lot of it I thought was common sense. As far as lower socioeconomic groups responding to using technology and parental involvement is a no brainer. The only concern I have is that if every classroom on campus decides to integrate as much technology as possible that it would be impossible to do so since we only have so many labs and mobile carts available. I like the activities with www.explorelearning.com, but I know that if I advertise this to all of the math teachers then I will not be able to let my students have constant access to try something new. To me this is a major problem that will not get better as purchasing enough computers will be even more difficult to do due to budget cuts. Our district for instance is losing over $200,000 of grants just for technology. That is a big chunk of change. I do think trying to integrate technology will be a big improvement but trying to make it happen is once again the challenge. I hear a lot of great ideas but trying to make it happen seems to be a topic that nobody wants to address.

Acion Research Topic - modified and updated

After oraginzing my data, I have decided to modify my action reasearch topic. Before I was looking to start online professional development for teachers to receive training on their specific subject areas but I have now decided to modify the direction I want to go. Below you will see the idea that I am now going to try and press.

I was not able to meet with my site supervisors due to weather issues and another attending the TCEA conference this week but I was able to get feedback from our Director of Assessment and Organizational Development who is in charge of professional development for the staff at our district. She made a few suggestions about my survey before I sent it out to make sure that my questions will generate answers that can be used for my topic. She also suggested I try to keep the survey from being too long to not discourage the survey takers from actually taking it. After I set out my survey with Survey Monkey, I noticed that I have had over 100 responses but the free version only allows me to see the first 100 responses so my site supervisor is checking to see if I can transfer my results over to the district version which is already paid for to get all of my data that I need. I also asked our professional development director if there was a way to collect some data on how many teachers have signed up for trainings and what teachers are actually signing up for as well but I am still waiting on the results.

As I stated in part 3 of my assignment, I think trying to get online professional development is not going to be the area I am focusing on, based off the data that I am receiving so far. I think I will look into trying to find a way through forums or some other online tool for teachers to discuss ideas of their specific subject areas to others across the state. This way teachers can share ideas that they have that is working, documents and lessons that have been created and post problems that have been coming up to look for solutions. As the saying goes, why try to recreate the wheel if others have already solved that problem that you are having.

CARE Model

Tool 8.1 CARE Model: Planning Tool ( I am letting 1 be the most important and 3 be the lest impoin my list)

Identify Concerns that must change (look to the future)

(Assign points to concerns from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important issues to consider.)

1. Increased costs of traditional professional development.

2. Time spent outside of school for professional development and missed time of instruction during the school day.

3. Professional development training geared to specific areas of need, not a general area.

Identify Affirmations that must be sustained (look to the present)

(Assign points to affirmations from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important issues to consider.)

1. Continue offering a wide variety of trainings to all employees.

2. Continue with planning periods that allows teachers in same subject areas or teams to meet to discuss any changes or concerns that they have.

3. Continue to offer trainings on technology and the implementations in the classroom setting.

SMART Recommendations that must be implemented:

(Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely)

(Assign points to recommendations from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important recommendations to implement.)

1. Offer online collaborations with others outside the district to discuss ideas.

2. Offer more trainings to those who are in elective classes, most do not feel that they are getting an adequate training or a variety of courses.

3. Encourage employees to take part in online courses by making the process easy and not another burden they feel they have to do.

EVALUATE – Specifically and Often

(Identify the best ways to evaluate the implemented recommendations.)

1. Compare the amount of people who are taking part in online trainings versus the amount going through traditional route.

2. Look for an increase or decrease in trends of data in the amount of attendance.

3. Use a survey for evaluation process to see what is working and what improvements are needed to be made.

Draft Action Research Plan

1. Setting the foundation:
   

At the high school level, more and more classes are being offered to students, yet there is very little that is available to teachers to help them stay up to date on their teaching areas. As technology improves, so must professional development. Professional development should no longer focus in on a one size fits all approach as this can waste time of staff and create a negative attitude in work. Also, with technology, more can be gained collaborating with other teachers in the same teaching area across the state. Also, I know from a personal standpoint, I never like missing a day of instruction unless I really must as preparing for a sub takes more time than the actual lesson itself. Once again, technology for professional development is still a new idea that could be cost effective and beneficial time wise as well.

1. Analyzing the data:
   

Over the last few years, teachers have always signed up for professional development. Most of the time it could be a fellow teacher presenting to a K-12 audience where the presenter's expertise is elementary based without any secondary experience, or vice versa. Not that this is a bad thing but the traditional ways of delivering instruction is now a days no longer the most efficient way. If we are trying to integrate technology into our instruction as teachers to students, shouldn't teachers practice this as well?

1. Developing deeper understanding:
   

I have gone over my proposed plan with my campus principal and our professional development coordinator. I created a survey through Survey Monkey that I emailed out to the district focusing on the needs teachers think they may need to help with their course that they teach. I also asked in the survey how open teachers would be with online collaboration and about meeting with teachers online throughout the state. I am also developing ideas that could get these ideas started through a few online trainings.

1. Self-reflection:
   

Self-reflection will and should be an ongoing process. I will analyze and share the results of my survey with professional development and technology to try and implement some online professional development that is based on interactions not self study. I do not think that by reading a book and answering questions does not help the teacher with the area of concern. Interacting and sharing ideas with peers can provide a much deeper understanding. I will be trying to find ways to improve these interactions and communicate on a consistent basis with those needed to be informed.

1. Exploring problematic patterns:
   

Possible issues could be trying to find time to come up with a strategic plan that will involve opinions of teachers who are currently at their busiest time of the year due to TAKS preparations. To develop an efficient collaboration, finding a way to contact other districts could also be a difficult issue and trying to find a way for hours to be given through a nontraditional setting.

1. Determining direction:
   

I may start out trying to find a department that would be interested in this development, possibly an elective class. I will try to help out as much as necessary but will try to stay out of the way and let the interactions be from cooperating teachers to share ideas and thoughts that they have.

1. Taking action for school improvement:
   

I will try and keep everyone updated on the progress of the action research plan and still search for other ideas to integrate technology to keep teachers in contact with those in the same subject area.

1. Sustain improvement:
   

I will be looking to constantly improve on my action research plan until I am satisfied with the results. For this plan to be effective it will need the cooperation of those involved to also offer input for improvement.

Action Research Plan – Professional Development

1. Setting the foundation:
   

At the high school level, more and more classes are being offered to students, yet there is very little that is available to teachers to help them stay up to date on their teaching areas. As technology improves, so must professional development. Professional development should no longer focus in on a one size fits all approach as this can waste time of staff and create a negative attitude in work. Also, with technology, more can be gained collaborating with other teachers in the same teaching area across the state. Also, I know from a personal standpoint, I never like missing a day of instruction unless I really must as preparing for a sub takes more time than the actual lesson itself. Once again, technology for professional development is still a new idea that could be cost effective and beneficial time wise as well.

1. Analyzing the data:
   

Over the last few years, teachers have always signed up for professional development. Most of the time it could be a fellow teacher presenting to a K-12 audience where the presenter's expertise is elementary based without any secondary experience, or vice versa. Not that this is a bad thing but the traditional ways of delivering instruction is now a days no longer the most efficient way. If we are trying to integrate technology into our instruction as teachers to students, shouldn't teachers practice this as well?

1. Developing deeper understanding:
   

I have gone over my proposed plan with my campus principal and our professional development coordinator. I created a survey through Survey Monkey that I emailed out to the district focusing on the needs teachers think they may need to help with their course that they teach. I also asked in the survey how open teachers would be with online collaboration and about meeting with teachers online throughout the state. I am also developing ideas that could get these ideas started through a few online trainings.

1. Self-reflection:
   

Self-reflection will and should be an ongoing process. I will analyze and share the results of my survey with professional development and technology to try and implement some online professional development that is based on interactions not self study. I do not think that by reading a book and answering questions does not help the teacher with the area of concern. Interacting and sharing ideas with peers can provide a much deeper understanding. I will be trying to find ways to improve these interactions and communicate on a consistent basis with those needed to be informed.

1. Exploring problematic patterns:
   

Possible issues could be trying to find time to come up with a strategic plan that will involve opinions of teachers who are currently at their busiest time of the year due to TAKS preparations. To develop an efficient collaboration, finding a way to contact other districts could also be a difficult issue and trying to find a way for hours to be given through a nontraditional setting.

1. Determining direction:
   

I may start out trying to find a department that would be interested in this development, possibly an elective class. I will try to help out as much as necessary but will try to stay out of the way and let the interactions be from cooperating teachers to share ideas and thoughts that they have.

1. Taking action for school improvement:
   

I will try and keep everyone updated on the progress of the action research plan and still search for other ideas to integrate technology to keep teachers in contact with those in the same subject area.

1. Sustain improvement:
   

I will be looking to constantly improve on my action research plan until I am satisfied with the results. For this plan to be effective it will need the cooperation of those involved to also offer input for improvement.

SurveyMonkey link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BVJ936G

Action Research Week 2

This week I have learned that there are many phases to action research. I feel that as a teacher, I always am coming up with action research topics but not doing a formal report on my findings. In a way too, it seems that a lot of the questions that are faced seem to be overblown to an extent since I do not see the need to sit and ponder into great time lengths to come up with a decision. I did like the point being made that if there is a concern that you have, go look up the question in Google or something to see if others have been faced with the same issue and if they were able to come up with a solution. I think that technology can aid the process of action research by coming up with solutions quickly, but technology can also be overused to do too much thinking into the matter. An example of this is that at my district, we are required to review and re-record the data of our students on mini TAKS quizzes to get a breakdown and to do an analysis on each quiz. The system that we use already does all of this for us but we are having to spend time to recreate the wheel when our time should be spent on making improvements on our findings. I do think that action research is a good tool to use but a minor tool not an important necessity for the job.

Action Research - Week 1

Blogging can be a great resource for administrators and educational technology leaders. Time is a valuable and important resource that many administrators and technology directors may not have and a blog can help make the most of that time through collaboration. In an administration meeting, ideas can be posted and the results of whatever data that has been collected can be shared without having a meeting to go over what could be trivial information. Those who need to be in the loop on the information provided can follow the blog and post comments on what research or directions the administrators have taken. With a blog, this information can be read over and responded back to in the time that it would take to drive over to where the meeting was supposed to be held saving time. Also, blogs can help keep teachers in the loop or have a place that teachers can report on what is happening in the classroom. The administrator can look for common themes and look for concerns and formulate a plan to help address the issues in the classrooms. Teachers can also report on test data to look for trends and propose solutions or ideas to the faculty without having a major meeting to discuss the issue. Those who are in the district offices can also look into the progress of each campus without having to actually go and make a formal visit.