Assignment #2

As a Principal, I feel that the “Excellence in Professional Practice” standard is the best model for implementing technology into the school. We are the leaders of the school and all technology comes with mixed feelings. You have the older population that does not fully understand the different types of technology and you have the younger population that is ready to run with anything that they can get their hands on. I my opinion, this model help in both areas.

This model shows that the administration will provide many types of professional development that will allow all levels of expertise to learn and understand the benefits of the technology. It does not just present the material and leave it up to the staff to comprehend it on their own. In many of the other models the technology is just shown or introduced and there is no commitment to the product that educates everyone on the benefits. It also allows for professional communities to help out with the exploration of how the product can best be implemented into the “real-life curriculum”. This also allows the more advanced population to help bring along those teachers that are a little less willing to step out of their box. Next, it shows the staff that the administration also using the same technology. When teachers are thrown something else that they are supposed to do there is an immediate wall that is thrown up. If the staff sees that the administration is using the same product and is going through the same possible struggles then there are more likely to see a “buy-in” among everyone. Lastly, it is hard to go against data and facts. If the administration can constantly show that the use of the product is effective and will constantly produce results then it will help in making it a norm instead of a thorn in everyone’s side.

While I must admit that I struggled over which of the standards was the best fit I still believe that this particular one is more real life than the others. It does not mean that things can not be added to this model to make it more effective for the different situations. Instead, I feel that it can best be fit into any school to promote the use of technology for any skill level.

Digital Natives Response

“Digital Natives” are in classrooms today. Many of our students only understand how to do certain things with the use of today’s technology. I teach at an elementary school and while certain types of technology are not readily available to my students (text, blogs, etc) they still see their family members using them on a daily bases and that they do indeed exist. Several years ago, it was unheard of to hear of elementary students getting cell phones but now many of our 5th graders have them. We also use to have to teach computer skills to our students at all grade levels but now we are finding that we can become more technical with our older kids and leave the basics with the younger kids. Our students play many video games but I do not know how much internet gaming they are doing. If they have not started, I am sure it will not be long before they do start.
I believe that we are going to have to go to more computer based programs. We are going to have to bring the internet into the classroom lessons and find new ways to show real life examples of the “old school” material. With the use of Smart boards and possibly educational games we will have to grab the student’s attention to teach the material. Staff development will have to be given to our staff and we will have to get the teachers to get out of their comfort zone and get them to come up with new ideas so that they might buy in to the process. While money will always be a concern for the purchase of new equipment, things will have to be prioritized so that all the equipment can be purchased in a proper timeline. While I do believe that changes in education can be positive. I also realize that not all children learn the same way. Some students will benefit from the new types of technology, while other students might gain the same results from other types of material presentation. Having the different options and the insight to see what our students respond to is most important. I do not think there is one thing that will teach all students. However, I do feel that true “Digital Natives” may benefit from a more technologically advanced material presentation.

First Post

Well, I hope this works! Good luck to all that might be reading this!