Sat. February 18th Web Conference Reflection

Reflection on Web Conference Chat Script, EDLD 5352, Saturday, February 18, 2012.   I tried to attend the web conference on Monday, February 20, 2012 at 7:30p but after 30 minutes I gave up, because nothing ever happened.  I logged on per instruction but all I got was the Adobe page telling me that the meeting has not begun and waiting for instructor to begin the meeting.  Anyway, after looking at the chat script from the Saturday morning web conference I was able to see the way this can provide a way for many students, employees or people together from all over the world.  You can share ideas, ask questions and play with technology that can be useful for a homework assignment.  The only thing I did not like was the way everyone can ask questions at the same time and if you posted a question you can sometimes get lost in the mix.  At least that is what I got from a few meeting participants when they restated their questions to Dr. Abernathy.  I don’t know what the etiquette for an online forum is but if there any information I would like to get my hands on it to learn and pass the knowledge on to my students for useful practice.  I would have loved to do an actual web conference to see how my new web camera and microphone headset works, but I guess I will have to try this out another time, and I would like to get some more information on using Adobe Conference

EDLD 5352 Week 4 Action Plan Assignment

Name	Title	Roles and Responsibilities
Terry Grier	Superintendent	Oversight for all operations including technology implementation in the school and classroom
Arnold Viramontes	Technology Information Officer	·         Interview, hire, train and supervise  all employees in the Technology department ·         Create and manage budget for technology for the district ·         Create district plan for technology implementation and usage in the district ·         Evaluate hardware and software for district utilization ·         Maintain district networks ·         Troubleshoot hardware and software problems ·         Oversee training of district personnel on computer and software implementation and usage ·         Purchase all computer related equipment for the district ·         Work with vendors
Linda Smith	Lanier Middle School Principal	·         Instructional Leader of the school ·         Model effective use of technology ·         Evaluate teacher performance including use of technology in the classroom
Drew Thurman	Computer Systems/Network Specialist	·         Maintain district network ·         Maintain First Class, the district email and communication system ·         Train district personnel on use of Gradespeed ·         Trouble shoot and support district personnel in the use of campus programs
Chuwuka Agbazue	Computer Technician	·         Maintains computer hardware and repairs as necessary on district level ·         Maintains and supports school phone system
Classroom Teachers		·         Integrate the use of technology in the classroom to enhance student understanding and engagement.
ACTIVITY	PURPOSE	GOAL
Survey Monkey for Staff	Find out current staff technology knowledge and deficiencies.	To help staff feel comfortable and able to operate at a high more efficient level  Also, to compile a list of current technology and wish list.
Survey Monkey for Teachers	Evaluate current teacher technology knowledge and deficiencies.	To help teachers feel comfortable and able to operate at a high more efficient level.  Also, to compile a list of current technology and a wish list.
Teacher and staff training over basic computer usage and classroom software.	Ensure staff members have basic computer knowledge and are able to operate software such as, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Database, Internet use.	Helping all teachers and staff settle into a comfort zone while working with everyday technology on campus.
Teacher and staff professional development over specialized technology available on campus.	Getting teachers and staff familiar with special technology available to help student learning.	To promote specialized technology in class without the fear of the 21st century and improving student learning.
Teacher and staff quarterly survey	To compile progress data	Te eliminate wasted time in professional development, improve information dissemination and continue to provide high quality technology support.

Evaluation Planning for Action Plan

Action plans are created with a higher outcome as the product, but as we are familiar with all plans require reflection and improvement.  We need to continue to evaluate our plan with input from teachers and staff.  In order for our campus to be successful we will need to make sure all key members of leadership are 100% up to date and on board.  There are several methods we should use to evaluate our progress.  One will be the use of administrator observations.  Another way would be to upload digital lessons to our website, and incorporating more web 2.0 tools.  Provide teacher and staff training every quarter or by large group appointments for up to date training in basic and advanced classroom technology.  Faculty feedback is paramount in this big technological move, and by using an online survey we can monitor the pros and cons of our action plan.  Administrators must display the latest technology in classroom observations and while working in everyday situations, and be able to provide the necessary tools for the 21^st century faculty member.  Campus administrators can evaluate the success of the technology action plan by viewing results of the STaR chart, AEIS report, and especially TAKS/STAAR scores.

Lanier Texas STaR Chart Presentation

http://prezi.com/gdsiabvov4vh/lanier-star-chart-findings/

Educator Preparation and Development

Educator Preparation and Development is a key area I would like to see progress.  This is one of the most important areas, because the teachers are the ones that need to divulge the information to the students.  The teachers need to ready the students, and we want them well prepared to minimize mistakes in lessons.  Technology can be very intimidating for a teacher, especially if they are older, which is not a slam against older teachers, it is an observation from what I seen and heard from the older veteran teachers on my campus.  I think we get caught up with where our technology should be that we forget to educate the professionals that have to use it to help our students.  Also, with the rate that technology is growing our districts are trying to move at such a high pace that we are not developing proper habits that would be beneficial to our schools.  I would say this is a problem on not only our local front but also  the state and national levels.  The trends seem to fluctuate when it comes to this area, and I think that is because of the ebb and flow of technology, but we cannot be run by the rate of growth.  We should be the masters of our domain and control what we install in our schools, we should only handle what we can, and make the jump forward in steps that is manageable to the teachers and staff.  I know we want to make that big jump into the 21^st century but what good is it if we are doing it with little knowledge, support and or technology. 

Reflection on Lamar University and EDLD Research 5301

This is my second class at Lamar University for the Educational Administration Degree and I would have to say this class has really made me excited for the remaining time in this degree plan.  Being able to develop my preliminary plan for the Action Research Project has been an exciting process, because I am really anxious to achieve my end result.  I chose to research starting a private middle school for talented youths in the arts and science, and to be able to further my educational degrees and to work on developing my school, is a dream come true.  I always tell my students to keep on searching and you will eventually find what you want to do in life.  I’ve been searching for several years now and at the age of 35 I have finally found what I want to do when I grow up and that is to be a director of my own private school.  So, far the classes here at Lamar University, and the educational tools provided to us has given me that opportunity, and I am happy there is an institution that gives working professionals a chance to continue to educate themselves to further their careers.

Normally, lectures last at least one hour but at Lamar University we have the luxury of having professors that shine a light on specifics, and get right to the point of the weekly lessons.  They provide us with just enough information to guide us through our assignments and projects.  This is a great lesson to leaders that you do not need to ramble on to sound professional.  You want to be able to formulate your thoughts and communicate them in a concise and informative manner.

The textbooks assigned for this course was a perfect tool for formulating my Action Research Plan.  Both textbooks guided me in the creation process and provided necessary example questions and information to be successful.  The two books were chosen because they were both in a blue print format that guided us through the research plan formation.

Another positive about this course is the opportunity to use electronic media sources and searches to develop your inquiries.  We have endless information from around the globe at our finger tips and it would be foolish not to take advantage of that powerful tool.  You never want to reinvent the wheel; instead you want to make it better.  So, by combining data or information with your research process you can further research existing topics, questions or problems and come up with a possible solution. 

The assignments and activities were very pertinent to developing my Action Research Plan.  As a teacher I always question and make sure I provide assignments that are relevant to our topic or learning goals.  So, I enjoyed my assignments, because again it gave me a glimpse of what I can achieve in the future.  My favorite, obviously, is the development of my Action Research Plan.

The discussion board is an excellent way to communicate with other classmates, much like you.  I am able to evaluate other students work and ideas, and they can do the same for me.  It is a nice checks and balance system that helps us grow together.  I was able to ask fellow classmates questions regarding assignments and share insight.  The discussion board is a great way to keep in touch with a committee you may be working with on your Action Research Project. 

I am new to blogging and when I first heard I needed to create my blog I was a little perplexed.  Although, I am not a blogging genius, I was able to easy figure out the way to set one up and operate.  I have learned that this can be another useful tool to communicate with your leadership committee.  I plan to use this process to again interview, or to communicate with other members of my research group. 

So, far there are many positives to Lamar University and I am confident that I am taking the proper steps to get me to where I need to be in the future.

Action Research Plan Draft 3

SCHOOL VISION:

To provide an alternative educational experience to gifted children in the arts and science.

 

GOAL: To operate a successful private middle school for the arts and science.

Questions:

1. What financial resources are needed to open a private middle school for the arts and science?
   
2. Which facilities are most appropriate for a private school for the arts and science?
   
3. How do state and federal requirements impact the operation of a private middle school for the arts and science?
   

 

OUTCOMES	ACTIVITIES	RESOURCES/ RESEARCH TOOLS NEEDED	RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS ACTIVITIES	TIME LINE	Benchmarks/ ASSESSMENT	Revisions to SIP/PIP based on monitoring and assessments
Find out what are the facility needs and location for a private middle school for the performing arts and science.	Interview and survey private school directors, core teachers and performing arts teachers.	Computer, internet, office supplies, transportation, and real estate records. Interview recording process and online survey.	Markos Hernandez & Erin Hernandez	12/2010-7/2011	Once a comparable plan for location and facility needs is assessed, we will have met our goal.	Make sure to contact the John Cooper School in the Woodlands and interview the Fine Arts Director.
Find out what curricular tools/equipment is paramount to operate a successful private middle school for the performing arts and science.	Interview and survey private school directors, teachers.	Computer, internet access, phone, transportation, and office supplies.	Justin Gatlin, Erin Hernandez & Markos Hernandez	12/2010-7/2011	Once we have compiled an accurate and practical list by categories of equipment and tools necessary for school operation.	Interview all core classes and research the best options for standardized testing.
Build a solid business plan.	Gather financial information via interviews, data collection, and analysis. Put together a Business plan	Computer, internet access, phone, transportation, sample business plans, office supplies and sample private school financial records	Aaron Stryk, Markos Hernandez, Stuart Jacobson and Larry Sklar	12/2010-6/2011	With all the data collected via interview and records analysis, a business plan will be assembled.	Contact the Halladay Educational Group for financial planning guidance.
Make contact with and have plans for securing financial aid.	Gather funding sources information via interviews and data collection on-line, state/federal opportunities, fundraising options and grants.	Computer, internet access, transportation, and meetings with private school financial officers.	Justin Gatlin & Markos Hernandez	12/2010-7/2011	We will be able to assemble grants, loans and raise money according to our needs and status as an independent school.	Also, work with The Halladay Educational Group for help in securing financial backers.
Coordinate with the State of Texas Department of Education and accreditation organizations. Fill out proper applications, and documents to file with the state, and accreditation agencies.	Gather information on aligning with state and federal educational standards for licensing.	Computer, internet access, transportation, phone, fax, and meetings	Erin Hernandez & Maralyn Hershman	12/2010-12/2011	Applications will be filed with both the state and accreditation agencies for our private school.	Contact tepsac.org for accreditation.

 

Action Research Plan