Knowledge+Gained

 ** Learned about myself ** As my skills and talents in technology develop, I feel confident in sharing with my Fifth Grade Team and/or colleagues on campus. I’m always researching for my team interactive sites to enhance our core curriculum. These interactive sites are always made available to my students on my school web page. Many of my colleagues direct their parents to my web page for the tutorials. That I am no longer afraid to be a leader, to perform outside my comfort zone, and that I am capable of multi-tasking. More importantly what I have learned about myself is that I can still change and for the better.  I chose to pursue my education because like the Japanese I believe in the kaizen philosophy. Kaizen refers to a change for the better as describe in the Gembutsu (August, 2007) newsletter. Change is a gradual but continuous improvement in which incremental changes take place (Gembutsu, 2007).  ** Learned about my technology and leadership skills ** My initiation into technology began with the Edison Project, a partnership who brought innovative ideas and technology to our campus. They provided each family with a Macintosh and each teacher with a laptop. Every classroom had four classroom computers, one desktop for the instructor plus their laptop. We had on-site training from a Curriculum Instructional Technologist who scheduled training every Tuesday. Support was ongoing throughout the year for faculty, staff, students, and parents. Through Edison, I first experienced Discussion Boards for educators and a separate Discussion Board for faculty and parents. Unfortunately, the Edison Project survived four years and the district chose  not to continue with the program. Six years ago a new superintendent had the vision and talent to hire a new Technology Director for our small district. In five years, our Technology Director managed to supply and up- date 9 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%;"> elementary schools, three middle schools, and one high school with wireless capabilities, SmartBoards, new laptops for grade-level teachers and technology leaders. He created new positions, CITs (Curriculum Instruction Technologist) to provide ongoing continuous support to faculty and staff through the year. The drawback was that our CIT decided to pursue her mid-management certification and was not readily available. She was diligent the first two years to teach us skills, but not how to implement technology into the curriculum. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%;">One thing I have learned about technology is that skills are not enough. Jamie McKenzie <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">(2001) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%;">explains, “The training model usually involves a march through a series of skill lessons…, because the skills are often learned out of context, they seem remote from classroom practice and leave many teachers <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">wondering <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%;"> about their utility and worth <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">.” This is what I am experiencing now on my technology enriched campus. This is the complaint my Academic Coach and Principal have, why are the teachers’ not implementing technology into the curriculum and why is the equipment not being used? <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">I have never felt comfortable in the role of leadership, I feel comfortable in the role of the woman behind the leader. The skills and knowledge I have gained in my journey through Educational Technology Leadership has been invaluable. As I work with my Academic Coach in completing my field based hours, she has commented on the change I have made. She sees a more confident person who is not hesitant to take the leadership role. My colleagues seek me out for technology support in skills or integration into curriculum. Though I still have a lot to learn, my friends and colleagues now see me as the expert! ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%;">Learned about your attitude ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%;">I have always thought of myself as a “Pollyanna” someone who always sees the good, the positive in people or situations. I don’t think that has changed, even as I come to the end of my journey. That is why my colleagues continue to seek my advice and/or confide in me. As a leader I must maintain trust, as Stephen Covey <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> (2009) puts <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%;"> it, “You cannot be an effective leader without trust.” Reference Covey, S. (May, 2009). How the Best Leaders Build Trust. //Eleventh Annual Best of Organization Development Summit.// Chicago, IL. Gembutsu Consulting LLC. (August, 2007). What does Kaizen Mean? Retrieved December 3, 2010 from: []__07/WhatdoesKaizenmean.htm__ Johnson, L. L. (2010). //The 2010 Horizon Report.// Austin: The New Media Consortium. McKenie, J. (2001, March 6). How Teachers Learn Technology Best. //The Educational Technology Journal, 10//(6). Roscorla, T. (2009, June 10). //Teaching for the 21st Century.// Retrieved November 30, 2010, from Converge: __ http://www.convergemag.com/workforce/Teaching-for-the-21st-Century.html  __

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