Technology+Facilitator+Standard+5

Self Assessment: Chapter 5 discusses the productivity and professional practice of integrating technology. This basically states that although the technology is important in our classrooms many times we are not given the proper training to use it to its full benefit. We as professionals need to do our best to make sure that we work collaboratively with educators and make sure that we fully respond to what our learners need. As I read this chapter I found myself repeatedly saying to myself, "This sounds like my campus." l find many times that we are presented with new tools but like the chapter says, educators complain that they do not have time to learn how to apply them in educational purposes ( Williamson & Redish, 2009). I hear this mentioned many times throughout the year. We are given new software but now what are we to do with it. I think that if we were given more in-depth training we as educators and our students would benefit more. Teachers always ask the question why do we need to intergrate technology. According to Edutopia Staff, 2008, technology changes the way teachers teach, offering educators effective ways to reach different types of learners and assess student understanding through multiple means. It also enhances the relationship between teacher and student. If we could get teachers to understand this benefit I think that we would see many positive changes in classrooms.

Learn as a Learner: As I read this chapter I found myself highlighting many things that seemed so familiar to me and I reflected on how they affect me as a classroom teacher. I then found myself very drawn to the case study about PLCs. PLCs are very big on my campus right now but we all do not participate in them the same way. I then found myself wanting to investigate more on Stevenson High Schools technology trainer. I went to her website and browsed for a little while. When I clicked on the link for Educating Educators I found a blog about "Doing more with less". In Charlene part she created a power point presentation about things you could do yourself in the classroom and one thing that caught my eye was the PLN. According to Chausis, 2010, a PLN is a personal learning network where students and teachers learn through conversation. This can help not only students but also teachers explore a topic and make meaningful connections to the content. Charlene states, "I view myself less as a technology expert and more as a person who is able to facilitate learning through technology,” (Chausis, 2009, p. 115) (Williamson & Redish, 2009). That quote is how I want myself and others to view me when I introduce new technology and its importance in education and getting the most out of themselves and their students.

Lifelong Learning Skills: This chapter helped me to understand the importance of not only introducing new technology but about giving the support that educators need to use it to their fullest potential. With this knowledge, as a leader and having my own personal experiences with lack of training, I can better equip myself to approach this subject with fellow educators and provide them with the training they need. I now know the importance of implementing this standard not only with faculty but also with students. One question that keeps coming into my mind when discussing new technology is how do we know when our faculty and staff fully know and understand the importance of this new way of teaching and how do we implement it and hold teachers accountable.

References: Chausis, Charlene, (2010). [] Edutopia Staff, (2008). Why Integrate Technology into the Curriculum?: The Reasons Are Many, [] Williamson, J. & Redish, T. (2009). Technology Facilitation and Leadership Standards: What every K-12 leader should know and be able to do. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.