EDLD 5366 Course Embedded Reflection

When I was registered for this course I was extremely excited about taking it. In reading through the syllabus I began realize that this would be a very fun and exciting class for me. My first assignment went over CRAP which I had not been familiar with. I have seen many websites, posters and flyers without really thinking about the principles of design that were used to create them. Looking at the examples I began to appreciate the simplicity of the CRAP that is used to design these sites and posters. When I designed my personal logo I became so involved in the principles that I made half a dozen logos all with different CRAP! Our class began to form our groups so that we could work together on our final website project. I was very lucky in that I was able to pair up with very eager and talented peers. I have experience in working with websites, designs, logos and animation. I however did not have the experience in working with other people on such tasks. The process of building a site and sharing information between us was almost flawless. My approach while completing the assignments was to communicate with my peers on the website process. Our main means of communicating was through email and Google docs. Our group also participated in weekly phone conferences so that we would be able to discuss what was needed and what was expected throughout the class. This course has taught me that it is possible work as a team to create a website that combines all of our experiences and knowledge. This is a great method to have students learn to work collaboratively on one website while they each contribute their own ideas, suggestions and opinions. Students could use the websites to express themselves, communicate with other peers and share information amongst their peers.

EDLD 5363 Web Conference Reflections

June 5, 2012 In week one of the web conference, Dr. Abernathy wanted us to promote technology integration in our classrooms. She advised us that the purpose of the course was to learn about multimedia and video technology in the classroom. The week one assignments on our digital story and advised us to view Joe Lamberts video and website to get ideas. Discussion on video editing software such as Adobe Premier but advised us to find free open source software if Premier was not available. Also discussed clarification of the Instructional Associates assigned to students. June 17, 2012 This week the discussion was on the project and the content. Dr. Abernathy advised that the project should not be a PSA, but instead and introduction to a Core Curriculum subject area which would reflect the style of a flipped classroom. Dr Abernathy discussed creative commons and Audacity review and how to post tutorials for the assignments. In order to collaborate effectively she suggested that we post all documents to Google docs so that all members of the team would have the same work and proper documentation for their work. July 1, 2012 This week was for clarifications and included how to list the assignments to TK20. We were advised that there is no discussion board for week 5. Evidence of collaboration must be submitted by means of Google docs. We reviewed assignments 5.8 and that we needed to post to eportfolio and not the discussion board. Assignment 5.9 is a reflection on what we have done. We need to document any information even if we have not worked on it.

My Life in Pictures

My name is Adriana Zavala and this is my story. My life has been one of constant change and opportunity, always moving and making new friends. It has made me who I am today… this is my story. I was born in Reynosa Mexico on the Texas Mexican Border. I am the youngest of four children. I lived there until I was three. My parents moved us to McAllen Texas so that we could attend school. We lived in a one bedroom apartment until the age of 10. We moved to Edinburg Texas and I lived there until the age of 12. Once again, we relocated and moved to Alice Texas, where I would spend my adolescence. Growing up in Alice I made many friends and participated in sports. I lived there until the age of 17 when we again moved to Weslaco Texas. While in Weslaco, I decided to receive my GED and attend college. I received my Associates degree in technology management. While living in Weslaco I met my future husband. My family moved back to McAllen but I continued to date my husband. We dated for six years when we decided to get married in 1996. We both received jobs in Tulsa OK and moved there for two years. After those two years we moved to Dallas, Texas and both of us worked for American Airlines. We got to travel and enjoy our first years of matrimony. In 1998 my first daughter was born and in 2001 my second daughter was born. That same year we moved to McAllen where my son was born in 2003. I worked many jobs but felt that I needed to continue my education in order to better provide for them. In 2005 I enrolled at South Texas College and received my Bachelor’s in Computer and Information Technologies. With this degree I was able to enroll in a teacher certification program. My first teaching job was with Valley View ISD in which I am the Audio/Video Production teacher. I decided to enroll at Lamar University and receive my Master’s. My goals are to become a director for career and technology.

Action Plan Template

Reflection Week Two Action Research 5301

Week two of our Action Research course provided me with information on how to select a topic of my research.  I watched three interviews with scholars that have received their Doctoral degree and use Action Research in their districts.  The readings in the Dana text focused on the nine topics that administrators have “wonderings” on.  Each of the topics gave examples of what research question was used.  The meeting with my site supervisor to discuss which three topics I would be able to perform action research on was discussed and approved. 

Action Research Blog

Action research is a methodology used for bringing about change.  It is a cyclical process in which you use your experience to pose a question or “wondering” to find a solution.  Action research differs from traditional research in that you do not rely on outside experts to tell you what you need to do to improve your school.  The purpose of action research is to use the administrators or teachers as the “head learners” and engage in the process of bringing about change by reflecting on their own actions.  Administrators are directly involved in process of gathering data, analyzing the data, developing a plan of action and sharing this information with other staff members.  One of the ways that we can use action research at work is to find pose a question to which we can make a change for the better of the school.  An example of such as question would be “how can the use of digital video assist in promoting positive behavior and discipline for students and teachers?”   By researching and engaging in this research, we can find a solution to the problem and implement the possible solutions then sharing the findings with the rest of the school. 

Blogs are a great way for administrators to reflect on their thoughts.  By posting their reflections on blogs, they can share information with colleagues find ideas and practice inquiry.

Course Reflections 5306

1. What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned?

The outcome that I envisioned with this course was to become more familiar with how technology played a role in our educational system.  Focus on my weaknesses and strengths as a leader in educational technology and how to incorporate my learning into my classroom.    I believe that I did achieve the outcome that I envisioned from taking this course.  The course alignment was in par with my visions of what the course was going to be and I feel that it provided me with a thorough understanding of the concepts needed in educational technology.  I feel that I can use my newly gained knowledge to be able to integrate some of the tools and techniques that I acquired. I was given the opportunity to examine and review standards that are used in the state for the Technology Plan.  I was able to model tools that are available to assist with technology education.

2. To the extent that you achieved the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not?

The outcomes of the course are relevant to what I do in school.  I work for the Career and Technology Department and am always interested in learning new ways of incorporating technology in my students learning.  I can assist other teachers and administrators in developing new ways of the using technology in the curriculum.  The Web 2.0 tools were very helpful and it allowed me to think of new ways to use them in my classroom with my students.  By developing leadership skills in the classroom, I can use them to assist teachers in adapting new ways of using technology in their curriculum.  In my weekly readings, I was able to get new ideas and share those thoughts with my students.  My classroom is a class whose foundation is strictly based on technology, which makes it much easier for me to be able to communicate these ideas with my students.

3. What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them?

I feel that I achieved most of the outcomes that were presented in the course with a few exceptions. There were many topics that I was not aware of, and was very excited about implementing them into my curriculum.  In reviewing the course outcomes, I was very pleased in knowing that we had covered all of the topics presented and that I finished the course with a very thorough knowledge of the topics.  I was able to learn several areas of technology and how to identify the problems and get the solutions to those problems.  There were many strategies that I was not aware of that gave me a perspective on how technology in the classroom goes beyond just using a computer or a program.  I was able to identify areas of concern with respect to the use of technology when I came to students and staff.  Provide the staff and students those tools to assist them in becoming effective learners.

4. Were you successful in carrying out the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you?

I had practically no problems with the course assignments.  The Draft Internship Plan and the Principals Competencies Chart were challenging and had several questions on how to complete it.  Attending the web conferences really helped in answering questions that I had on the assignments.  Receiving feedback from the instructor and other students was essential in keeping up with the assignments.   In working collaboratively with others, I managed to overcome any of the obstacles that I was facing during the course.  The use of our wiki’s and the comments made by other students provided me with guidance on how to proceed with the assignments.  The tutorials on how to use the Tk20 system were very helpful and allowed me to upload and attach the necessary documents.  I don’t feel that I felt discouraged at any time during the course and all of the assignments were very well written and explained in a matter that was easily understood.

5. What did you learn from this course…about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes?

What I learned from this course is how much the leadership role is essential.  Not only do we need to know about technology and how to use it but we must also be able to communicate and teach that technology effectively and efficiently.  We must become involved with the everyday aspects of technology in the curriculum and stay current with any trends or changes that occur.  I learned that I am very good at communicating and teaching technology.  I like to for students and teachers to be proficient with their use so that they understand the vital role that technology plays in their lives everyday.  My attitude has certainly changed for the better, as I now understand the significance of using aligning technology with the curriculum and how much it impacts our society when we are knowledgeable in using it appropriately.  I learned from this course how to become an effective leader and how to implement ideas to become reality.