Final Reflection for EDLD 5352/EA 1150

At first glance, Instructional Leadership appeared to be about how to lead others in instruction. Once the course work began though, my view changed. With instruction remaining the focus, technology was fused with instruction. I then realized that while I push forward in my career, the world was also pushing forward and growing with technology. My goals were to learn as much as I possibly could about ways to help my teachers join technology and curriculum to meet the needs of our students now and in the future. I wanted to find ways that I can immediately use what I learn in the course, and build bridges between the teachers who refuse to use technology and our technology tools. Oddly enough, I feel enlightened about ways to help my students and teachers. I have new ideas, and I am ready with my action plan to use them. While my original thoughts on the class were not 100% accurate, I still feel that the leadership in instruction can be the focus using technology.
My school is, in my opinion, unique. It's almost like we are starting from scratch, and this means that the sky is the limit! I have the opportunity to change the way my staff views our current technology. Already, I have participated in a web conference to discuss an Internet-based program that can boost student scores, increase rigor, engage almost all learners, and assist teachers in cutting back on the tedious paperwork that seems to grow by the day. My job as a testing coordinator already entails utilizing the Internet, analyzing data from AEIS reports and AYP reports, and training my staff. Because I am able to use almost any program that I come across, I am better able to assist my teachers, and I can engage them better in my trainings.
On the downside of being a unique school, we are also a very poor school. Our funds are being cut constantly. This keeps our school from updating the current connection speed, which in turn, prevents us from using a lot of Internet based programs. We cannot afford the pricey costs of the software, nor can my school afford to increase the number of computers. It's very difficult to encourage our students to learn what the world has to offer through the Internet when they cannot access it and utilize it on a daily basis. This is frustrating.
In completing the assignments of this course, I found them to be average in difficulty, yet over-the-top in terms of time. I spent almost my entire Thanksgiving break working on my blog, learning about the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology, completing all of the readings, and wrapping my brain around all of the information that had changed even since I was in my undergraduate college. It was overwhelming, and at times, completely unnecessary. Maybe I just have a different level of competency, and the issue of quantity of work was irritating to me.
While the work may have seemed tedious to me, I did learn quite a bit. I have such a deeper understanding of where Texas is going with the plan for technology. The layering and building process, while slow, is being monitored, and can now be a focus for my school. I only wish that more teachers were aware of what Texas has planned. We have a lot of teachers who have been in education for more than 15 years. This puts them at a little bit of a disadvantage due to the lack of push by our technology specialist on campus for increase in knowledge about the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology. I now know that this is where I can come in as a leader. I can make it one of my goals to reach out to the teachers and help them. I need to show teachers that our students need these skills for their future. I can assist in writing the curriculum for our technology applications courses, and I can support the teachers and students as they begin to try new things.
In order to add the new goals to my leadership role, I can begin by informing my staff how blogging can be a huge educational tool. If teachers would use blogs with their students, they would see more interaction from ALL students, while increasing motivation and engagement. I am even considering beginning a blog specifically for my school. If the teachers interact using one, I think they would be more likely to try and infuse it with their current classes. Most teachers fear what they do not know, and the only way to fight fear is with knowledge.
Unfortunately, one of the biggest fears about technology is safety. As both a parent and educator, I want all kids to be safe from predators, cyber-bullying, fraud, and misinformation. All of these things can be present in blogs, which is why most teachers don't use them. As a leader, it is my responsibility to make my staff see that we can keep our kids safe by teaching them how to analyze what they see, react and respond to one another, instill honesty in them, and how to protect one's self. They have to start at an early age, and the teaching of online safety should be constant, repeated, and practiced.
Finally, I really think that one of the best qualities about blogging is in that it allows communities to come together. Blogging brings more parent communications, and it builds a bridge between businesses and education. If a blog is created for a school, the parents can see for themselves what the children are learning. Businesses can see what schools need, and they can help support schools. Communities can have input and form alliances to help keep students safer. My dad always loves using the phrase It takes a village to raise a child, and I would like to think that in today's world, the village needs a blog to help everyone keep together.

Evaluation Planning for Action Plan

Evaluation	Measure of Success	Timeline
Conduct an inventory of technology needs.	Inventory completed and updates to facilities and technology occurs.	Annually
Analysis of campus and teacher STaR Chart, Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology, AEIS report, and AYP data.	Rating will increase from Developing technology to Advanced Technology.	August 2010
Staff development sign-in, agendas, and feedback are maintained.	All teachers attend a minimum of 10 hours of staff development on just technology per school year. Certificates are kept in a file and updated four times a year: October, January, March, and June.	Quarterly reports to Superintendent
Student engagement in lessons and achievement on standardized testing increases to 95%.	Through classroom walk through evaluations, student surveys, scores on state TAKS assessments, and teacher lesson plans, success will increase by a 5 to 10% rate each school year.	Annually
Parental involvement in student education increases by attendance to information sessions, assistance on students’ homework and lessons, and communication with teachers. Surveys to parents, teachers, and students will be issued and kept on file. Attendance sign-in sheets and agendas from the information sessions will be kept.	Attendance of parents at the information sessions that will be given 6 times per school year will increase by 10% each session. The surveys to parents, teachers, and students will show an increase in satisfaction on communication and technology applications.	The information sessions will occur at the beginning of each six weeks. Surveys will be conducted at each information session to gage the growth.
Conduct a post assessment at the end of each school year.	Use of technology in the classroom, by students, and in meetings will increase from the current 10% usage to more than 90% usage.	Annually at the end of the school year.

Organizational Chart for Implementing Technology Improvements

	Personnel/Stakeholder	Responsibilities	Principal’s Role in Implementation
	School Board	Develops and deploys a district improvement plan and policy for technology improvement based on STaR Chart data, AEIS reports, AYP data, inventories, and other information.	The principal should attend the school board meetings, answer survey questions accurately and timely, and provide campus-based input towards the district wide plan.
	Superintendent	Assures budgeting and school needs are being met according to the district improvement plan set forth by the school board. Ensures that policies are available and known by employees.	The principal will communicate regularly with the superintendent about concerns, improvements, and provide reports about progress that is made on the campus level.
	Area Superintendents	Activates the policies and plan for technology improvement. He/she will set criteria and evaluation methods to determine success of the technology improvement plan.	The principal will follow the policy and plan set forth, as well as ensure the staff at the school is aware of the policies and following the plan.
	Student Services	Student services will provide proper training for employees in the areas of technology.	The principal will communicate the staff development needs of the staff to student services and arrange for training on the campus level.
	Assistant Principals	The assistant principals will attend the trainings on the technology improvement plan. He/she will also evaluate the use of technology in the classrooms through walk-thrus, observations, and communications with staff members. Modeling of technology usage will also be mandatory.	The principal will meet with the administrative staff and arrange for evaluations of classroom technology usage. He/She should discuss expectations, evaluative criteria, and budget needs. The principal will serve as a liaison for the school in communicating with the superintendents and school board. All questions and concerns will be sent through the principal.
	Counselors	Assist in monitoring technology usage, as well as modeling of technology through communications, trainings, and special events. Counselors will also conduct parent information sessions.	The principal will meet with counselors regularly to assist in planning for parent information sessions as well as trainings and ongoing staff communications.
	Technology Specialists	The technology specialists will arrange for each building to be adequately equipped with necessary equipment and services. Updating of the systems and services will be required, and timelines will be met. On-site training will occur through the technology specialist or his/her designee.	The principal will ensure that the budget accounts for technology improvements. He/She will require technology specialists to report back to him/her on progress regularly.
	Teachers	Teachers will attend staff developments to improve their own skills. He/she will also utilize the training by implementing technology and software in classroom instruction and planning on a regular basis with students as the continued focus for instruction.	The principal will allow staff to attend trainings, apply knowledge gained in the trainings, and require that technology be implemented daily through formal and summative evaluations.
	Parents	Parents will be required to attend information sessions that help them gain an understanding of current technology usage and ways to avoid being unsafe and not secured technology use.	The principal will make sure that parents are made aware of the convenient meeting times. He/She will also make sure parents concerns and questions are addressed.

Action Plan for Technology Implementaion and Staff Development

Activity	Description	Responsible Party(ies)
Update the current materials and make new purchases.	Increase the bandwidth, speed of the Internet, quantity and quality of computers and laptops, and make new purchases of items such as memory cards for digital cameras, web cameras for online classes, and maintenance on existing materials	Ø  Principal Ø  Assistant Principals Ø  Technology specialist
Provide employee staff development on software and hardware.	Schedule staff development opportunities for both teachers that are new to technology and teachers that are experienced. Each teacher will be required to attend a minimum of 10 hours per school year on technology staff development. Opportunities for feedback, implementation, and reflection will occur.	Ø  Principal Ø   Assistant Principals Ø  Technology Specialist Ø  Teachers
Provide parental information sessions on safety, cyber bullying, and ways to use technology to help students.	Hold six information sessions for parents to attend and gather information on student safety for online usage, cyber bullying, and technological advancements in education.	Ø  Counselors Ø  Principal Ø  Assistant Principals Ø  Technology Specialist
Use technology in instruction.	Implement technology usage in classroom instruction 95% of the instructional time. Ensure students are engaged in the lessons and utilizing technology in their learning.	Ø  Teachers Ø  Students
Create a website that provides resources for assistance.	Hire someone to create a website that provides assistance to students on homework, lessons, and advanced education. Teachers will provide useful links and hints for assignments weekly.	Ø  Principal Ø  Technology Specialist Ø  Teachers