Even though I very purposefully signed up for this class, I was a little nervous since technology is not one of my biggest strengths. I had a friend who took this class last year and is still raving about it and after one session (this one) I think I know what she is talking about! I am very much looking forward to stretching myself and growing in the area of instructional technology. The only "problem" I can see, is choosing what area to focus on for my final project since there are so many areas that I want to explore. I would love to delve into the world of data and figure out how to create spreadsheets, use systems (data warehouse, DIBELS, OAKS) to create/pull up reports, etc. I have no idea how to use excel but I am scared to even think about tackling that right now. On a completely different end of the spectrum - I don't even know how to create a slideshow or movie to use at Back to School Night. Every year I have set a goal to use media to show parents what we are all about - rather than giving another boring, mundane, speech - and every year I fail to meet my goal. Along those same lines, there are 2 teachers in my building that have an after school club called "Hawks Eye" where they teach 5th graders to use imovie. This group is responsible for the end of year DVD that has replaced our yearbook. Throughout the year, the teachers and students film the various events and "goings-on" and then we have a school-wide assembly to view the movie and then every student goes home with a burned copy on a CD. I have absolutely NO IDEA how to use imovie and I would love to learn. Lastly, our district is moving towards google docs. My kinder and 1st grade teams used their PLC time on Friday to bring in a teacher from the ESD to work with them. One of my teachers came into my office and after 1 hour was so frustrated that she was in tears. She couldn't figure it out and was feeling so incompetent next to some of her peers who seemed worlds ahead of her. I told her that I was taking this class and that I was pretty nervous. I also told her that my understanding, from my friend that took it, was that I could pick something to learn in the area of instructional technology and that maybe I would explore Google Docs and then she and I could sit and play around with it. She really loved that idea. So - as you can see - I'm going to have to choose something and that's a good dilemma.
Specifically, in response to what was presented in this particular class, I was really engaged in the small group discussion of the article we read. We had some great discussion around equity and also around districts making budget priorities and the "opportunity" during this budget crisis, for school districts to do some redesign. If the information in the article is correct, spending $140 per student on technology seems to be an appropriate use of funds in my most humble opinion. Technology is not going away and I believe that it can be used very appropriately as a tool to increase student achievement. Of course, equity adds another component to that discussion since it seems like schools are run on "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer" (isn't that called the "Matthew Principle"??). I very much believe that our resources should go to our neediest learners first and unfortunately, that is just not happening (or at least not that I am seeing). I am excited to delve more into this topic during a later session.
Thanks for a great first class!
