Action Research Update - EDLD 5326 School Community Relations

AR Project Summary - Integrating Technology in the District, Campus, and Classroom

Can technological bridges be built from the district, to the campus, to the classroom touching the lives of every student?  Dodds and Mason (2005) believed that transition and technology transference must occur at all levels to be effective.  Integrating technology is powerful when pedagogy aligns easily with technology. 

On the district, I have been afforded to opportunity to serve on the District Technology Committee.  The committee meets collective, but it was also divided into subcommittees.  The subcommittee I was assigned to was Professional Development.  Some of the activities at the district level were researching website options, developing PD opportunities, giving a PD summary and recommendation, finding online tools for the District, and communicate updates to the members.

On my campus, opportunites are availed to me to train others on combining pedagogy with technology.  Teachers are receptive to differentiation for students.  Due to my degree track, administration has sent me to training that also gave me tools to assist other teachers.  Web 2.0 tools have been shared and modeled. 

 
In my classroom student scores have been higher and I contribute this to creating project-based activities.  There are spiraled from the performance indicators shared on the C-Scope curriculum.  Students are excited about the opportunity to construct products with technology.  Once they overcome their initial anxiety, they excel.  I have found that they are more likely to try other educational obstacles with a more positive attitude.  Student projects are also used for other teachers to see the connection with content and technology.  I look forward to completing my journey of this action research, "Integrating Technology in the District, Campus, and Classroom".

EDLD 5366 Digital Graphics and Web Design Reflection

Digital Graphics and Web Design

Digital graphics and web design were recreated in my mind.  The prior knowledge that I had regarding digital graphics and web design was a good foundation; however, some of the information was not sound for web design and current digital graphics.  Rundle (2006) noted that “good design is based on C.R.A.P.”  The new understanding that contrast, repetition, alignment, and Proximity conflicted with some of the old strategies I was taught to design websites. Some specific conflicts were that centered alignment was not the way to attract a reader, but design could be on the left, right, and centered to draw attention to the information.  Another misconception I had was that the font should be the same on the webpage.  Contrast explains that different information can be different fonts to group information successfully.

Website Design especially involves the learning objectives of Bloom’s Taxonomy.  The lowest level of Remembering is the gathering of information.  Understanding occurred when tasks were labeled and identified.  The application happened when appropriate information is added to the website.  Analyzing concurs when information is compared and examined.  Evaluating was accomplished with peers and finally Creating occurred when websites are published for their designed purpose. This higher order thinking skills can be applied to how I learned in this class.

Dana (2009) stated professional learning communities work together to learn each other.  Our group collaborated well in our discussions, website comments, and conferences.  Kilpatrick (2010) said Americans lead out in the technological culture.  I plan to use technology more with my instruction and project-based assignments for my classroom. 

References

Dana, N.F.  (2009).  Administrator inquiry defined.  In C.C. Collins, B. Ory, & J. Haenel (Eds.),

            Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher.  (pp. 1-27). 

Kilpatrick, P.  (2010).  “The Relationship Between Technology and Ethics.”  University of Notre

Dame.  Metropolitan Club, Chicago, Illinois. 

Rundle, M.  (2006).  “How C.R.A.P. is Your Site.”  Retrieved from

http://thinkvitamin.com/design/how-crap-is-your-site-design/

EDLD 5363 Final Team Multi-media Video

This is an introductory video for a lesson plan with 1st graders about Plant Life Cycle.

Web Conference Reflection 3

June 30, 2012

In this web conference, I was seeking general information about the submitted assignments.  The audio for the conference was going in and out in the beginning.  This conference gave me insight about submitting assignments.  It was clarified that this is a work week.  I agreed with the comments that project has definitely been a learning experience.

After the class conference, our team was able to be specific and productive with our assignment and responsibilities left to complete the product.  My team members were great about keeping updated with the web conferences and email updates.  I appreciate Dr. Abernathy’s personable responses.  I am a relational person and when the instructor responds naturally to questions, it allows me to connect even though I have never met her.  While I was collaborating on the video, I took that qualitative data into consideration.  When we allow our personalities to intermingle in the video we can connect with our students.  

Web Conference Reflection 2

June 16, 2012

This web conference directed us for Week Two.  Dr. Abernathy expressed her desire to use two voices in the audio so that we can learn more with the exercise.  Dr. Abernathy advised us that we should be advancing on our Internship plan.  I requested to change my Action Research plan because of the collaboration I have been doing on our District Technology Committee.  Dr. Abernathy made it clear that I can change the plan.  I am excited about this program and the assistance I am getting to make a difference with my students, campus, and district. 

Dr. Abernathy explained about the resources in EPIC that are posted.  I have made sure to save these documents to explore continuously for my technological growth.  I chose Movie Maker and Audacity to use for this class; however, I will investigate other programs.  I am learning that there are many different Web 2.0 tools that have the same functions.  I plan to be informative and explorative with technology to engage students.  The group collaboration was explained.  I am excited about the group project.  I plan to learn, learn, learn, and learn. 

Web Conference Reflection 1

June 4, 2012

The first web conference was informative and resourceful.  Dr. Abernathy gave explicit instructions that all the web conferences are to clarify any questions that we have about the assignments.  The written comments in the chat were also helpful.  My classmates have become resourceful and collaborative in the web conference environment.  The sites recommended for the video was helpful.  I appreciated the clarification on the assignments.

The first web conference outlined the purpose of the course to learn multimedia.  Until this course, I had limited experience with uploading video, editing video, and editing audio.   I am looking forward to integrating this information professionally and personally.  Professionally, this educational endeavor has opened up some opportunities for me in the district.  I appreciate the information Dr. Abernathy gave about exposing the School Board about the new technological experiences occurring in my classroom.  I plan to use this information next school year. 

Personal Digital Story Reflections

INVIGORATING

The combination of photos, music, narration, and slide variations were refreshing.  These tools I am learning will be a great asset to the required website I will have to setup for the new school year.  Technology is on the forefront in my classroom to produce a 21^st Century Learner.  Solomon and Schrum (2007). explained that digital diplomacy can be acquired in the classroom with Web 2.0 tools.  For this digital story, I used Microsoft Live Movie Maker.

ENGAGING

We are challenged to engage our students so that they can connect and construct new learning experiences.  As a student, I was definitely engaged.  I hope that as the course progresses I will be comfortable in using these same media techniques as assignments and learning experiences for my students.  My attention was captivated from the beginning to the end.

References

Solomon,G. & Schrum, L.  (2007).  Web 2.0:  New tools, new schools.  Eugene, OR: 

        International Society for Technology in Education.