ETEC 623 SESSION DISCUSSION & RESPONSES

SESSION 1
3 APPROACHES TO TECHNOLOGY

Technology Use - Technology in the classroom is the most innovative idea ever invented. There was a time that I thought technology would be too cumbersome to use in the classroom. The equipment, cords, software and the like would be horrible to look at and get around. Technology would be too difficult to use and implement in a classroom and no one would understand it. Today all that has changed. I would be lost without technology in my classroom and in others such as this class.
Communicating to others - is easier with the use of technology then any other means of communicating. Technology allows me to present power points to students, coworkers and administrators in presenting information that needs to be disseminated. By using power points I am able to create interesting presentations to get and maintain the interest of those I am presenting to. Technology also allows us to communicate with one to millions of people in a single setting in the privacy of our homes, offices or even a restaurant. Technology allows for responses to information immediately with visuals and auditory tools.
Supporting technology - I find that it is easy to support technology by providing clear directions on how to use any technology tool. Students learn when they are taken step by step in setting up their emails, how to create power points, and even setting up a BLOG. By giving the students the opportunity to engage in this tecnological learning I/we directly support technology.
Learning ContractHow many projects will you do?

My plans at this point is to prepare three projects focusing on the three approaches as an administrator. I will strive to earn an "A" in this class.

What I am looking at in this class

In this class I am looking for additional uses of technology to use personally, professionally and in my classroom. Creating this BLOG is already enlightening me, for I have not used this technology before. BLOG would be great to use in a classroom and introduce to my colleagues. Maybe they know already.


SESSION 2
LEADER/MANAGER

In Professor Newberry’s discussion on the contrast between leadership and management, it was clear that in the institution in which I am employed, my administrator epitomize the definition of manager.
Anecdote
In February 2006 me and other teacher were told that we would be going to a weeklong (March 20-24, 2006) conference/workshop introducing the new PLATO Learning Lab educational program. We were to leave on this company paid training on March 16, 2006 we were informed that the documents for advance payment was not sent in correctly and we would have to pay for our shuttle, incidentals and two meals out of our personal monies. (Hotel, meals for the 21, 22, 23, and breakfast for the 24th, 2006 were paid for.) We went without the advance funds. The shuttle to the hotel from the airport in Sacramento was $30.00, two lunches, one dinner and incidentals totaled $150.00. The training was excellent. We were to receive fifteen computers each, thirty textbooks/workbooks, and teacher manual and resource materials. We were excited about the program, technical support, computers and materials. All of which would be ready for implementation by April 15, 2006.
Around May 12th we received ten computers to be divided between the two teachers, one resource book and no materials. The computers had to be deprogrammed for and by our technology technician at the institution. (That means any and all applications/programs, execution capabilities had to be uninstalled and/or security access protection.) This deprogramming was not completed until June 2006. The computers (5) were delivered to my classroom in October 2006. I started calling the Sacramento PLATO office in October to get the computers connected, since they were the only technicians authorized to install them. In November 2006, the Sacramento office informed me that I should not call them; the call for installation should come from my administrator. I gave the contact information name and telephone number of Sacramento to my administrator in November. At a December 2006 teacher meeting me and the other teacher asked for an update on getting the PLATO materials, additional computers and when what we had would be installed; the response was that “we” are still working on that matter. We just had another teacher meeting January 18, 2007 and I asked the question again about the status of the computers, textbooks, and etc.; the answer was the same “we are working on it”.
A leader would have insured that documents for funding of the trip was submitted correctly and on time. The leader would have confirmed dates for arrival of equipment and materials; deprogramming of the computers and installations.

ACTIVITY – SESSION 2
I listened to the Leadership/Management podcast
Responded to the DQ
Read and responded to Robert, DeNguyen and Rosa