Creighton Reflection

Chapter 1: Principal Leadership & Successful Technology Implementation
1.What does the author state as the “theme” of this book? (p. 1) Do you agree or disagree that this theme is an important concept for technology leadership? Why or why not?
The author of the book is saying that the theme of the book is not only about teaching technology but it is about how technology is taught and incorporated in the teaching process so that it also properly meets standards. I think that his theme is an important concept of technology leadership. Any one can get on a computer and use it but as a leader in technology teaching using integration and standards helps to produce life learners.

2.What must a principal believe, know or be able to do in order to lead a successful technology program in a school?
A principal should offer training to teach teachers how to apply technology in their classrooms. Principals should not only tell teachers to implement technology but they should offer and teach teachers ways to “recognize, understand and integrate technology” into their lessons so hat students can gain the most out of the classroom lesson and so that they are also properly aligned with standards county, state, and countrywide. Principals must be willing to test, observe and analyzed what suggestions are working and what are not and they must be willing to change in order to have a successful technology program in their school.

3.What must a technology specialist believe, know or be able to do in order to lead a successful technology program in a school?



4.To what extent would the necessary skill set for a technology specialist differ from that of a principal?



Chapter 2: Are School and Technology Leaders Doing Enough?
1.What does it mean when people refer to a “digital divide?”
Digital divide used in terms of the book seems to mean regardless of how much equipment is in you classroom or school for that matter, does everyone, regardless of ethnic background, cultural, income statues, receive equal access to technology.

2.The digital divide, in the most basic way, can refer to student’s access to modern computers. However, the author extends his discussion of the digital divide to what other areas?
The author extends the discussion of digital divide also to the areas based on: limited ESOL students, students in rural areas, poverty conditions, minority students, female students, and low-achieving students.

3.Can you think of any other areas that the “digital divide” discussion might apply?
I could not think of other areas where digital divide discussion might apply but I am curious as to why the author specifies “female” students rather than simply saying gender of students.





4.How would you describe the difference between a “perceived” and a “documented” digital divide? (not in the text)
I think that the easiest way to describe “perceived” and a “documented” digital divide would be assumption vs. evidence
5.Review your list for questions 2 & 3. Which digital divides would best be described as “documented” and which as “perceived?”
Documented would included poverty conditions and minority students.
Perceived would include female/gender and technology,low and high achievers.

6.What are the most compelling kinds of evidence that a “digital divide” exists?
I would say that areas where evidence that digital divide exist could definitely be observes in Wealthy schools vs. Poorer schools. This is evident not only because of the amount of technology available but also... within these areas sub groups based on income, minority, majority, culture, and gender can also be used to show the existence.

7.Which “digital divide” is of greatest concern to you? What actions might help close the divide and why?
I would have to say the greatest areas of concern when it comes to the “digital divide” would have the be the low achievers vs. the high achievers because no matter how rich or poor an area may be you ultimately have to worry about the children of your classroom. As a teacher, rather than using technology to rewards the high achievers who finish their work early or to keep the students with discipline issues out of trouble, I would use it as part of centers to help engage and motivate the low achievers.

Chapter Three: Why Do Technology Programs Fail?
1.According to the author, what were the reasons that technology programs fail?
The author suggests that reasons technology programs have failed is because they do not have significant impact on teaching and learning. Some informal reasons are due to inappropriate leadership, moving to fast without sufficient an supportive staff development and failure to get the right people on board.

2.Do you agree with his claims?
I would have to say that I agree with claims. Teachers are being told to implement technology programs but are not being told how to do it. When programs are introduced and it seems like right you begin to understand the program something new is invented.

3.Are there any other causes of failure that you’d add to his list?
I think that some technology programs are being offered at the wrong levels. What is offered at a high school level may not work at an elementary level.

4.Rank your final list of “reasons for failure” from the greatest cause of failure to the least cause of failure?
1.Right people not on board
2.Lack of leadership
3.Moving to fast without sufficient and supportive staff

4.Not level appropriate

Chapter Four: Strategic Planning for Technology
1.Does your school or school system have a technology plan?
My school does not have a technology plan specifically to itself but technology is stressed to be implemented in classroom learning and lessons of all subjects.

2.What are your experiences with “Technology Planning?”

My experiences in Technology Planning would included using internet to engage my students in a subject. Using internet to engage students in learning of Phonics, ELA, Reading and Math. I have used technology and internet to allow my students to research information for Science and Social Studies. I have used projectors to teach about shadows for Science.
We are not necessarily required to plan using technology but it is something that my principal wants to see in the classroom

3.Do you think a school-level technology plan is necessary for success? Why or why not?
In the past I would have said, “No, I don't thing it is necessary however, living in a world where everything is seems to be based on technology, I think incorporating technology can assist in the learning process. I do not think that is is necessarily needed for success of school but I think in the long run technology planning will help because we are living in a technological world. As teachers, if we want our students to be successful in life then we must teach them to be life long learners. Because we are living in a technological world be need to start making technology part of our plans.

4.What do you think of Cheryl Lemke’s quote on p. 28 “There should be no technology plan, only a school improvement plan that has technology as an important component in it?”
This quote reminds me of how my school seems to operate. I can seem how technology planning could be expensive. How can you establish a technology plan in a school with little monies. So you have to make do with what you have. To keep it cost effective use what you have and implement it as best you can.

5.Can you think of any practical challenges to having an integrated school improvement/technology plan? If so, how might these challenges be overcome?
Number one would be the money. Two would be teaching teachers and individual how to properly do it. Some of these challenges could be overcome by offering course to assist teachers in how to integrate and teach technology appropriately. While easier said than done another would be to apply for technology grants to bring the equipment to your school.


6.Whether the technology plan stands alone or is imbedded into the SIP, the author points out some common pitfalls of technology planning? What are they?
The hours and time used to organize the programs and plan them will outnumber the actual hours in usage. Plans are implemented under the direction of the district level but it is unoccupied with the strategic plan of how to do it.

7.What “strategic planning” advice does the author give us in order to avoid the pitfalls?
The plans must included involvement of teachers, students and parents, staff development and instructional delivery.

1st Chapter Reading

2. The instructional technology definition on page 8 would be most helpful to me because as the definition states it deals directly with the teaching and learning application. I think that instructional technology encompasses both educational technology and technology integration.

3. Two historical events that I feel have made the most significance in the firld of educaitonal technology are...

1. The introduction of the computer to the world. More. Specifically 1950 when the first computer driven flight being used for instruction. I think that this was a turning point where it was realized that computers can be used to help teach students which occurred in 1959.

2. The World Wide Web being introduced in 1994. This has opened so many door as to how we communicate with people around the world. Unlike books, where information can quickly become outdated once books are finally published, the internet can offer the most current information. ( I just realized that there is a fifth ocean near Antarctica, however ours school books do not offer that up-to-date information yet.) The web and internet gives access for teacher and students to research things and share things with other students, teachers, and people across the world.

4. After reading the “Lessons from the Past” on pages 10-13, I think that the most important lesson would be that Teacher will never be replaced by computer. Teachers will always be more important than technology. In some places, technology is non existence. Regardless of how much technology is available and/or used in the classroom, teachers have to teach. Computers can show students how to add 2+2=4 but with the help of a teacher , they are taught to understand why 2+2=4. A computer can auto-correct errors in grammar but it is the teacher who helps them to understand why things are written a certain way. Students can watch the two air planes crash into the World Trade Center and be “wowed.” That “wow” moment is the teachable moment in which the child is engaged and ready to learn more. The book make a statement implying that with computers and internet comes human interaction. A computer can be used to engaged students but it can not give immediate answers to questions the students may have. It is the teachers job to give them a better understanding of how and why it may have happened. Technology when incorporate in the classroom can offer engagement for students which helps to prepare the students for learning.

5. Everyone has different thoughts on how and whether technology actually helps students in learning There are so many different factors that it cant really be measured. The books says, “Educators will use new methods if they can see clearly compelling reasons to do so.” I think that it becomes challenging when the educator has to plan the technology in the lesson. I think that it is also challenging when there are teachers who have minimum use with technology. I feel that technology is still relatively new. The fact that it is constantly changing does not help either. After doing things a certain way for such a long time it is hard to change those ways. The No Child Left Behind Act has put much stress on teachers and education staff. Technology is very expensive and with everything going on in the world now, teachers are being asked to do more with lower pay. Teachers teach because they they like what they do, but we also need to be able to support ourselves. Responsibility for student learning is being placed 100% on the teachers. Teachers have students approximately 1/3 of each day, 5 days a week . If you include the weekends that is 40 hours our of 168 hours (29% to be exact). Minus the breaks, holidays and days off of school in a year; Teaches have student 1600 hours out of 8736 (1 year). This comes out to about 18%. How does 18% contact with students a year account for 100% responsibility. How does that make some people feel about changing there ways to incorporate technology​? Where is the motivation to want to do more with the lower pay. As I said before there are many different factors as to why technology in the classroom is working or not.

6. How might we explain that research studies often fail to show that technology has a positive effect on student achievement (p. 13)? Feel free to move beyond reasons cited in the text.

(ANSWERED IN QUESTION 5)

7. One compelling case for educational technology is that by the time books are proofread, copyrighted, and sent to the press they contain some information that is outdated. Technology helps to provide more up-to-date and current information.

8. The upkeep for technology is very expensive. Implementation is difficult

9. In response to the “Low Teacher Use” I think while some teachers have the ability to teach and use technology effectively n their classrooms; one reason technology could be being underused in the classrooms is because there appear to be so many constraints on what is being taught, how it is being taught and when it should be taught.

10. The relationship between technology and improved students achievement is evident. While it can not be measure exactly due to so may other factors. The tables show that technology assists in curriculum objectives. Technology provides with a number o f different learning opportunities for students to work individually at their own pace and with other people.

11. I

12. First let me start by saying, I think that it all depends on where you are from what constitutes an “excellent education.” There are places where technology is present and students are not receiving a “good education.” I do believe it is possible for students to receive a decent education without technology however technology helps in bringing and keeping that knowledge up-to-date.

13. I think that technology can have a positive effect on children when used properly. However if not careful technology, more specifically the internet, can lead to problems if not monitored correctly. With students I have had. I noticed that when in class there are present but not fully engaged. When my students are in the computer lab most of them are fully engaged repeating things they are hearing, reading along with the computer, and answering question. When they are working on interactive programs, I guess you can say its like the students are receiving one on one attention. They are wanting to learn. THEY ARE LEARNING.

14. Figures 1.9 highlight various types of software that are available for instruction. Do you know what all of them are? To which do you have current access? Are there others that might be missing from the tree? If you were making decisions on what types of software are essential to teachers, what would be on your list?

15. I think that some of the most important Issues affecting technology in education would be the economic conditions with the decreased funding. Money is had to come by now-a-days for everything. While there are programs that can helps assist in getting technology in schools , which do you think are the most important and why? As a future leader, what would you do to address these issues? Which issues have you already encountered in schools and which ones were new thoughts for you as you read? What questions do you have about these issues?

16. The chart suggests good benefits and reasonable problems that go along with them.

17. There could be a lot of variety under “Classroom Workstations.” Which classroom design would you personally prefer and/or promote in your school?

18. I think that allowing students to have wireless laptops for their personal use be a great idea, however, the problem would be if students were allowed to take these computers home and they were used for other reasons, by other family members, damaged and/or even stolen where would the cost come in to replace them. I think that allowing the children to have laptops sounds like a great idea, however, I think I would limit this to only while at school. If used all day and in most classes; if not all, the students can benefit from having them and it can be justified.

19. I think that of all the “emerging trends in hardware and software development” Wireless connectivity along with merging of technologies are most promising. Cell phones with internet services and writing programs are now available. I know of someone who wrote a paper on their personal cell phone. The merging allows for people to be able to multitask any and every where. Having wireless connections also allows individuals to research and post from any where as well. My concern would be what potential dangers could these trends create.... For example “texting while driving.” How focused will the individuals be when it comes to using them.