Standard+V+Reflection

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Standard V Reflection “Although student technology use may always take center stage – and appropriately so - educators also need modern technologies in professional practice and enhancing professional learning” (Williamson & Redish, 2009, p.101). Standard V Productivity and Professional practice emphasizes our need as professionals and leaders to keep learning and then share what we learn with our colleagues in order to help them achieve a higher standard of teaching. Even before beginning this program I was always helping one person or another with technology in some way and continually learning about technology advances, so implementing this standard is second nature to me. Sharing my knowledge of technology with others is something I enjoy and was able to do many times over.

During this program I was able to attend different conferences that increased my knowledge of technology and I was able to share what I had learned with my colleagues by being a presenter at our district and campus technology in-service days. The Region 5 Back to School Technology Conference, state CSCOPE conference, and our district technology mimio training were instrumental in supplying me with new and innovative ways to infuse my curriculum with our new campus technology. School year 2010-2011 was the first year our new campus was open and due to planning on the part of the administration each classroom was equipped with a ceiling mounted projector, document camera, new laptop for each teacher, mimio interactive hardware and software, audio system, full wall white board and flat screen TV. Many teachers on campus were overwhelmed with the idea of going from a campus where the most advanced piece of technology was their overhead projector, to a fully equipped technological dream classroom. This is where my skills of sharing what I know really began to help out. The majority of the equipment was new to me as well, but because I could navigate through the technology at a quicker pace than others it allowed me to share my knowledge with them in order to assist them in becoming more accustomed to using the technology. Even though I was not technically assigned as a technology lead teacher on campus I became one of my own volition.

I feel that sharing my knowledge of our new mimio software was something that was truly helpful for our teachers on campus. At several of our technology in-service days on campus I was able to instruct other teachers on how to use the various functions of the system. The skills that I assisted teachers with ranged from basic operation of the software such as basic set up and image capture to the more complicated interactive elements to use with students. I feel that these trainings helped me as much as the teachers that were in attendance because as I tell my students, “The more you hear it, the more you see it, the more you do it, the more you will remember”.

Professional development for educators is important, but professional development without support afterward is wasteful and often does not result in any significant changes (Solomon & Schrum, 2007, p. 101). Since our technology training is being completed in house by our district educators and I have been able to be a part of this support system the training has been more successful than the traditional workshop. The Texas Education Agency (2006) asserts in the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 that to meet the needs of our 21st Century learners significant resources and time must be devoted to preparing teachers to educate them (p.2).

This past school year we were also proud to host on campus the Region 5 Mini CAST (Conference for the Advancement of Science Teachers) Conference. I was selected by the principal to be the contact person for campus and to work with conference organizers to make sure that events went smoothly that day and that the campus technology was running smoothly for the presenters, exhibitors and conference organizers. It was an invaluable opportunity to assist others with technology and showcase my developing skills as a technology leader.

Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). //Web 2.0: New tools, new schools//. Eugene, Oregon: International Society for Technology in Education.

Texas Education Agency. (2006). //Long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020//. Retrieved from []

Williamson, J., & Redish, T. (2009). //Technology facilitation and leadership standards: What every K-12 leader should know and be able to do//. Eugene, Oregon: International Society for Technology in Education.