Lamar Web Conferences

I have paricipated in several Web conferences throughout my studies at Lamar. I think it is a great tool for personal communicaton. Attending and watching the recorded conferences lets me know what I need to do and the expectations of the program, all the while giving me a sense of belonging to a group. When in reality, I am sitting on my laptop at home. The content of the conferences is relevant to my courses and always helps me with a wondering I might have. Using web conferences with students, parents, and even a future staff would be modeling the knowledge I have gained in the Technology course. What a great way to foster partcipation among a group while integrating technology at the same time.

Technology Action Plan

Technology Action Plan

District & Campus

Activity/  Strategy	Persons Responsible	Timeline	Resources	Evaluation
Elementary counselors will be trained on the use of ITCCS and will develop master schedules and schedule students into classes using technology.	Dir of Student Scholar Development	Fall 2011	O)iTCCS, (O)Student class schedules	Summative - Campus master schedules Student schedules
All secondary AVID teachers will incorporate the use of technology into the AVID curriculum in preparation for college and career readiness.	AP & PreAP Teachers, Director of Advanced Academics	Aug 2011 - May 2012	(O)AVID curriculum, (O)Various modes of media and technology	Summative - Student media projects, Teacher lesson plans, AVID curriculum
Improve Starchart level by improving computer count: field technician ratio OR introducing full-time instructional technologists at the campus level	Exec Dir of Technology	2012-2013 Budget approval process	(O)Local Budget	Summative - Inventory Report, project reports
Replace all district computers > 5 yrs old and maintain computer refresh cycle	Exec Dir of Technology	Ongoing- 2011- 2012 school year and beyond	(L)Technology Budget, (O)Future Bond Monies	Summative - Instructional Technologists’ documentation and possible future proficiency tests
Maintain teachers’ technology proficiency by providing technology curriculum and dedicated on-campus technology support.	Instructional Technology Supervisor	2012-2013 budget approval process	(O)Local Budget	Summative - Instructional Technologists’ documentation and possible future proficiency tests
Assess all 8th grade students in computer classes for technology TEKS proficiency by formal Learning.com assessment	Campus Administration, Instructional Technology Supervisor	Spring, 2012, date: TBD	(S)Instructional Material Allotment Funds	Summative - Test results, documentation
Re-design of website, improving structure, ease-of-use for students, staff, and the community.	Instructional Technology Supervisor	January 2012	O)Local Budget	Summative - Survey on web page for public response to redesign.
All AP and PreAP teachers will incorporate the use of technology into the AP curriculum and in student directed assignments.	AP & PreAP Teachers, Director of Advanced Academics	Aug 2011 - May 2012	(O)Various modes of media and technology	Summative - Student media projects, Teacher lesson plans, AP syllabus
In order to provide quality technology instruction to students, teachers will participate in Technology workshops, conference time workshops, use of computer & science labs, EduSmart, document cameras, and Smartboards. (Title I SW: 1,2,3,4,8,9,10) (Target Group: All) (NCLB: 1,2,3,4,5)	Academic coaches, Assistant Principal(s), CEIC members, Core Subject Teachers, Counselor(s), Instructional Specialist, Principal, Special Ed Teachers, Teacher(s)	August 2011-Jun 2012	(F)IDEA Special Education, (L)Activity Funds, (L)C-Scope Resource Bank, (L)Instructional Resources & Media Services, (L)Instructional Services, (L)SchoolNet Data, (L)Staff Development, (O)Classroom Teachers, (O)Designated Funds, (O)DMAC data, (O)Grant funds, (O)Local Budget Data, (O)Local Districts, (O)Principal, (O)Special Education Teachers, (O)Supplemental Materials, (O)TEKScore data, (S)Local Funds	IFVs, workshop surveys of technology, teacher proficiency, previous years STAT chart, current year STAR chart and PDAS.
Every classroom K-6th will have a smartboard to be utilized for interactive student instruction. (Title I SW: 1,2,3,4,5,8,9,10) (Target Group: All) (NCLB: 1,2,3,4,5)	Assistant Principal(s), CEIC members, Counselor(s), Instructional Specialist, Principal, Special Ed Teachers, Teacher(s)	Weekly	(F)IDEA Special Education, (F)Title I, (L)Activity Funds, (L)C-Scope Resource Bank, (L)Instructional Resources & Media Services, (L)Instructional Services, (L)SchoolNet Data, (L)Staff Development, (O)Classroom Teachers, (O)Designated Funds, (O)DMAC data, (O)Local Districts, (O)Principal, (O)Special Education Teachers	IFV information, improved instruction as measured by STAAR scores, PDAS, EOY testing.
Purchase 2 computers for each classroom 2nd-6th grade for students to utilize for learning, create a schedule for students to visit the computer lab (K-6th), and create Bowie Brain Builders computer schedule K-6th. (Title I SW: 1,2,3,4,5,8,9,10) (Target Group: All) (NCLB: 1,2,3,4,5)	Academic coaches, Assistant Principal(s), CEIC members, Core Subject Teachers, Counselor(s), Instructional Specialist, Principal, Special Ed Teachers, Teacher(s)	August 2011- June 2012	(F)IDEA Special Education, (F)Title I, (L)Activity Funds, (L)C-Scope Resource Bank, (L)Instructional Resources & Media Services, (L)Instructional Services, (L)SchoolNet Data, (L)Staff Development, (O)Classroom Teachers, (O)Designated Funds, (O)DMAC data, (O)Principal, (O)Special Education Teachers, (O)Supplemental Materials, (O)TEKScore data, (S)Local Funds	IFVs use of technology, improved instruction measured by STAAR scores, EducationCity reports, Imagination Learning reports, Waterford reports, Fast Math Reports, PDAS, EOY testing.

The Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020: Teaching and Learning

The area of Teaching and Learning resonates in my mind because at my campus, this is an area where we are at the Developing tech stage. At this stage we must move forward to Advanced and then to Target. I feel that being knowledgeable in this are will only add to my campuses ability to further our technology readiness and move us in the right direction.

The area of Teaching & Learning includes success for all students who are engaged in their learning opportunities throughout their schools and communities that engage them through technlogy. Educational technology is dependent on learning experiences provided by teachers and carried out by students. Texas students under this plan must become active participants in the learning process.

Progress in the area of Teaching and Learning locally, on a state level, and nationally is being made. You can see through the LRPT Data that teaching and learning is happening and technology is being used. Through the reccomendations to the various areas we will be moving forward.

One of the trends locally, on a state level, and nationally that I see is that teachers want more professional development. Most are using technology in many ways, however to truly take it to the next level and use the technology we have, we need to be trained on how to integrate and use technology to its fullest potential.

My recommendations for improvement in the area include following the paramaters and guidelines set for curriculum and instruction. Our campus must move toward gaining and providing access for our learners to have the tools, technology, and services for individualized instruction. We must focus on using information and communication technologies to collaborate, construct knowledge, and provide solutions to real world problems and situations faced by our students and ourselves as professionals. I think these areas will move us into a new dimension of teaching, if we focus our attention here as a campus. Communicating in a variety of formats for diverse audiences will also move our campus from Developing Tech to Target Tech.

Texas STaR Chart Presentation

Texas s ta r chart

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The continuing journey...

Quality Indicator 1

Context of study refers to the context in which your research takes place (Dana, 2010). Does your audience get what you are doing, why, and how you are doing it?  Did you provide complete information for people involved in your study and do they understand the context? I will be able to use this indicator in improving my action research by evaluating my action research plan and providing clear information about the school, district, teachers, students, content, and curriculum. I can also evaluate my design to see if it matches the content. I can also use this to make sure my research stimulates thinking about teaching and learning as mentioned in the Dana text.

Quality Indicator 2

Wondering(s) and purpose explain the details of your research. The focus is inward, open ended, and shows a personal importance to the researcher. It makes a case for your research. It also is pertinent and includes appropriate findings from literature from the field. I will be able to use this indicator in improving my action research by making sure my wondering (s) and purpose are focused inward. I see the inward focus rather than trying to change others. My wondering is based on an area that I feel passionate about on my campus. Through my inquiry I will include ideas that are articulated, concise, precise, and free of educational jargon.

Quality Indicator 3

Principal research design (data collection and data analysis) focuses on the collection of data in different ways. Explanation is key when analyzing the data and relating it to your principal inquiry. I will be able to use this indicator in improving my action research by staying true to the data research outlined in my action research. By collecting, explaining, having flexibility, and truly learning from the different modes of data collected and implementing them across my research I feel improvements will be made. By describing procedures, changes and adjustments, and having a logical method of data collection my action research will be high quality in the area of principal research design.

Quality Indicator 4

Principal researcher learning includes backing up your findings with data, explanation, readings, and experiences. Your learning also includes reflection on what was learned in the process of inquiry (Dana, 2010). Supporting statements of learning with data is the key. I will be able to use this indicator in improving my action research by including data based findings in my presentation of principal inquiry. I will be able to present transferable information for others to use. I will inspire others through my inquiry by explaining with data, and those areas not supported by data. In my reflection I will explain how my action research evolved and was fine tuned along the way.

Quality Indicator 5

Implications for practice are based on changes that will be made because of the research and new wonderings that evolved from the research. Are the changes logical, informed and data based? I will be able to use this indicator in improving my action research by making informed statements and actions based on my principal inquiry. I will continue to be reflective and truly understand how action research is an important part of educational leadership. The changes made will be logically based on my findings.