5301- What I Have Learned About Action Research:

5301- What I Have Learned About Action Research:

             From the readings this week, I have learned that action research is far different than traditional educational research.  When I enrolled in this class, I believed I would be involved in researching and writing yet another paper for learning purposes only. I have learned that action research is different in that the researcher actually adds to the end product. In action research, the researcher poses a question, collects data, analyzes the data, and then develops a plan to use the data to make a change relevant to their lives.  Action research is cyclic in nature, because the action produces more data to study. This new data must be analyzed to find out if the action taken worked and what corrections need to be made.  In a sense action research is never ending!

            I see action research as a useful tool in education.  Teachers could use action research to find information on best teaching practices and monitor what techniques produce results.  As an English teacher with an interest in technology, I would like to research how to increase interest in learning grammar through computerized games. Principals may work with teachers, fellow principals, and superintendants to address problems on their campuses and within their districts.  Teacher and student motivation, test scores, discipline, and budget concerns are just a few areas principals could use action research to improve schools.  Almost every aspect of education is suitable for action research.

EDTECH 5306 Week 5 Course Review

     I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in education in 1999 and have been teaching ever since.  As the years have past, teaching has undergone many changes. I felt now was the time to go back for my Master’s degree because technology has already changed education drastically, but we are on the cusp of a major overhaul in the way it is implemented.  I wanted to have the knowledge to be ahead, not stuck in the old ways trying to catch up. To be honest, I not was exactly sure what to expect when first I started this class. I have a budding interest in integrating technology into my classroom, and helping others to so as well.  I wanted to become more capable of accomplishing my dreams of having a technology-rich classroom.  I do not believe I have completely achieved all of my outcomes, as this is a long -term goal. I do firmly believe that EDTECH 5306 was an excellent start to my journey.  

      The outcomes of this class are definitely relevant to teaching seventh grade English.  My school only has one computer lab and really no way for students to save work. Since taking this course, I think I may have answer to this problem. What if I created Mrs. Schaefer’s Class Wiki, and students submitted work to their individual classes?  I am still in the planning stages, but EDTECH 5306 has definitely given me some food for thought. EDTECH 5306 has helped me to re-evaluate how my students think. I previously believed that the technology I used in the classroom was just a way of making my lessons more fun. Now research has shown me a fundamental shift in how students think. I realize using technology is necessary to hold students’ attention and increase learning. Also, I have come to think about technology as a way to reach an unknown goal. As teachers, we must prepare students to live and work in a future that will rely heavily on technology in work and social situations.

     At times, accomplishing all the necessary learning was difficult for me. I had no idea exactly how fast-paced getting a Masters would be. Looking back, I expected to start of learning about new technologies, then applying them later. Every week I opened the assignments and could not believe how much work was involved. Some tears where even shed!  I literally had to work on a daily basis and down to the wire to get everything turned in. I found myself working on my off period and even sneaking in class when my students were working on essays. At night, I worked with my two year old jumping on the couch next to me coloring with my highlighter. Boy, this is sure different than a stretched out three month semester!  Working full time and being a full time mom has made me seriously reconsider if I can handle the time management to continue. My mentor has given me a pep talk to think about getting through one class at a time.

   I did gain a new sense of accomplishment from taking this course. I learned that I am capable of doing much more in one week than I thought I could.  I was able to learn and try new technologies through this course. I built a blog and a Wiki.  I have even started making videos of my son with animoto.com  I had never even heard of a Wiki before! Now I am writing one!  I learned about how and why students are changing because they were born into technology. I think this was the most eye-opening research from EDTECH 5306. Now, as I look around my classroom, I see students who truly think differently. I learned more about keeping my students safe in a cyber world and ways to teach them lessons on the subject. I also was able to see from an administrator’s point of view problems of integrating technology. I feel as if taking EDTECH 5306 has expanded my world.

Review of NETP

The National Educational Technology Plan rough draft was published March 5, 2010 because the Obama administration is urging technology use to ensure economic growth for our country. The plan discusses two goals that must meet by the year 2020. The plan states that the two goals are:

  

1. We will raise the proportion of college graduates from where it now stands [39%] so that 60% of our population holds a 2-year or 4-year degree.

2. We will close the achievement gap so that all students – regardless of race, income, or neighborhood – graduate from high school ready to succeed in college and careers.

     Learning will become a personalized process. To learn, we must come up with innovative practices that empower all learners. We must focus on what needs to be learned, along with when and where it will be learned.   Learners will have mobile access to instruction and learn though multimedia sources.  Learners will be using on-line social networks as a learning tool.

     Teaching will evolve from a solo activity to teams of connected teachers working together to provide instruction. Teachers will be fully connected to online teaching resources, tools, and each other. Teachers will be placed teams, not only for instructing, but for professional development.

     As teachers work in teams to instruct learning, they will have access to one another’s expertise. This sharing of ideas will improve instructional practices.  Online learning communities will allow teachers to continuously work on professional development, as compared to sporadic meetings where one skill is taught.

     One issue I see is funding for such changes in education. The NETR mentions in the beginning that states are facing reduced funding. Also, If learning will be 24/ 7/ 365, how will we ensure our students have equal access to the necessary technologies once they leave the school premises? Half of my classes still do not have access to a computer at home. Another issue I worry about is safeguarding student privacy in online learning communities. I definitely see the value, but see how they could attract undesirable communications (i.e.- Internet predators, cyberbullying). Who will monitor the activity going on in these online communities. 

E -rate/ BISD technology plan for EDTECH 5306

Exeecutive Summary of BISD Plan and E-RATE

E rate

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Summary of BISD Technology Plan

     Beaumont Independent School District has assembled a diverse technology planning committee to prepare a three -year plan that meets the requirements for applying for E-rate discounts. BISD currently has a 100% rate of direct connection to the Internet. It is the committee’s charge to find innovative uses for the wide area network in order to be in compliance with No Child Left Behind, as well as the Texas Long- Range Plan for Technology.  According to the BISD plan, the district is eligible for an 80% discount. The plan has been designed to be flexible as the future of technology evolves.  The plan is designed around three broad goals; each with several specific objectives. The goals are as follows:

Goal 1: Incorporate technology as an integral part of education.

Goal 2.  Provide staff development for all in the use of appropriate emerging technologies and their integration as a natural part of education.

Goal 3: Include technology-based systems when making district or campus instructional and management decisions.

Goal 4: The district will secure adequate funding for maintaining state-of-the art technology resources for all BISD facilities.

     District administrators use the STAR chart to assess the skill levels of teachers and areas for improvement. Professional development days in technology are planned based on the results of the STAR chart, even the superintendent. Nearly 1.2 million is spent on educator preparation and development.  Time for professional development is an area for concern. BISD is considering an online training model so that teachers may work as they have time. 

     The Director of Information Services meets daily with technicians to make sure hardware and software issues are addressed. Also, a campus technology liaison is in place in each campus as a first contact to help troubleshoot problems. BISD has 3.43 million dollars budgeted towards infrastructure.

     The plan states the need for technical and instructional technology personnel to support the use of technology in the classrooms. BISD is proposing to implement new positions in instructional technology. This validates the point made that our students (and possibly teachers obtaining masters in EDTECH) may work in careers not yet invented yet.

First Time Web Conference

Tonight I attended my very first web conference. I have used yahoo chat to "visit" with my sister over seas, but have never participated in an instuctor led group discussion. i must admit, I was nervous! I even contemplated putting on makeup and fixing my hair! I am glad I did not, because I could never get my camera to work. It appears to be an issue with using Mac. At first, there was feedback until we muted our mics. I learned that each screen seen is called a Pod. We talked about the 18 month internship and finding a mentor. I found out I will create my own Wiki at the end. I also need to pick out a book and read it. It was a very interesting evening. As a wife, mother of a toddler, and full time teacher, I hope I will be able to keep up with this fast paced course!