599: Post 3

My culminating project is finished, and this is the final post that I am required to complete for my master's program. Looking back, I am still amazed at how much I learned in the last year and a half. And, I really loved that so much of what we learned in class could be implemented in our classrooms that same week.

I had coffee with a friend this morning, during which time I told him that I was almost done with school. He reminded me of my decision to apply to this program. There were so many programs to choose from. And, to be honest, the completely online aspect of this program was enticing, and scary at the same time. However, at the end of the road, I am so glad that I chose this program. It extended my knowledge, and gave me so many wonderful hands-on experiences that I could share with my students!

Check out my culminating project!

My portfolio also includes many examples of my work!

599: Post 2

The goal of my culminating project was to use technology to increase student-student, student-teacher, and teacher-teacher collaboration where I teach. Why I thought this was a realistic goal, I have no idea. After much frustration, I realized that I was going to have to break down the topic into much more manageable parts.

So, I decided to focus on Google Apps for Education. Students come into the high school knowing how to use this powerful tool, but many high school teachers in the building are not even aware it exists. My new project is also going to include ideas as to how social studies teachers can increase collaboration through technology. Breaking my huge goal into smaller pieces makes it much more manageable.

The first step for me was to make screencasts on different aspects of Google Docs. I way underestimated how long it would take to create the screencasts. How can a short 3 minute video take more than ten times that long to make? And, when I would keep recording them over and over to make them perfect, they began to sound rehearsed. So, what was worse? A less than perfect video, or one that sounds like a robot?

599: Post 1

I cannot believe that I am starting the final class of this program! It has caused me to look back and reflect on where I was when I first started. I remember having issues downloading skype, not knowing how to share a Google Doc, and wishing that I knew how to create visually appealing presentations. After 18 months, I am glad to say that I have command of all of those things. I tend to be a very reflective person, but sometimes it is difficult for me to realize how far I have come when technology is concerned. So, looking back over my blog was a very eye-opening experience!

565 Week 5

The change simulation went much more smoothly this week. The most important thing that I took away from the experience was the reminder to divide and conquer. There are always going to be those who are resistant to change. However, they should not keep the rest of the group from making progress. By teaming up those hesitant or unwilling to change with others that they respect, there is a greater possibility that they will change their views. However, it is also very important to ensure that some consensus can be reached. Having a top-down system of leadership is not going to give teachers the chance to buy in to the new ideas, and they will simply feel as though they are being micromanaged by individuals who have spent little time in the ever-changing classroom!

565 Week 4

The discussions on climate and morale really spoke to me this week. There are many people who are unhappy with the climate that they work in, and some do little to try to change the situation. Some complain and whine about how terrible things are, while others try to take action to change things. However, an attempt to change things can get individuals into trouble. Those in power are not always excited for negative feedback. Some of them aren't excited about any feedback. It is a shame when those who are in power care little about how those under them feel.

565 Week 3

The most interesting thing this week was looking at the Beloit College mindset. It is really important to keep in mind who you are trying to lead, and make the content/changes relevant to them. My current students were born when I was in high school, so I need to remember to think about their life experiences, and how they differed from my life experiences when I was their age. The internet wasn't huge until I went to college, and they have had exposure to it their entire lives! That fact alone has made their childhoods vastly different from what mine was like.

Additionally, it is important for leaders to meet others where they are. It is important for someone to lead, but it is also important for that leader to recognize the stumbling blocks for those he/she is trying to lead!

565 Week 2

It was interesting to delve a little deeper into WINNS data this week. While I have been exposed to it at staff meetings, I have never poked around the website myself. The most interesting piece of information that I found was how the percent of students performing at the advanced and proficient levels has increased in the past five years. In November of 2005, 80.8% of our 10th grade students were performing at the advanced/proficient levels. That rate has been steading increasing, and was at 89% in 2009. It was also intersting to see that female students scored advanced/proficent at a rate of 93% on the 10th grade WKCE reading test, while 82% of male students were advanced/proficient. When it came to math, 87% of the females were advanced/profcient, while only 79% of the males were. Overall, more female students were advanced in reading, while more male students were advanced in math. But, when one adds in the proficent category, the girls are doing better than the guys.