The light at the end of the…

The journey is almost at an end. I have a lot of things still needing attention. I am almost to the final edit and revision on my paper. I hope to do this over the weekend. I am really cutting it close! I am afraid to say my student data is not quite what I hoped for, but it is what it is. I will say that the interim scores for Swigert are running consistently higher than the district. I do not have state data to compare because I can only find reports for fourth grade and up. Swigert will add fourth grade in the 2013/2014 school year (we are not even on the list this year) and I want to ensure I am comparing “apples to apples”. Because of this I feel I am lacking data. If that is true, I will just have to state what is missing and leave it for further research. What else can I do?

The final leg…

Running into stormy weather…

I have now reached full panic mode. I now have student data, but it is not exactly what I had in mind. It is what it is…it will have to work. The Site Assessment Leader gave me what she had so I will have to make it work. I have been so obsessed with my DSIL (I feel like my head will explode), I have fallen a little behind on my research study. As for my DSIL, I have one of my letters of recommendation from a colleague. I was honored that she thought so highly of me. I am almost finished with my DSIL, although I have hit a “creative block”. I need to step back for a day or so and come at it with a fresh perspective. I will turn my attention to something else for a little while (not too long though). I will work on my research for a couple of days then come back to it this weekend.

The journey is almost…

AHHHH…

I have come to a screeching halt on my data collection. Not only am I having technical issues with my network and computer, but I am currently waiting to meet with the Site Assessment Leader for our school. I am a little concerned because I have not seen her around (and TCAP is in full swing) and she has not responded to my earlier e-mails. I wish I knew what was going on. I will talk to my administrator about the situation as soon as testing is completed this week (if he has a moment, all sorts of events are happening at the school).

Since I cannot work on my research project, I am focusing on other projects that need my attention. I feel I have a good general start on my DSIL project. I am still not quite where I feel I should be, but hopefully I can begin uploading documents and artifacts that demonstrate my proficiency in the six program essentials this weekend. I was pleased to receive a letter from a parent expressing his pleasure in me as a teacher and mentor for his daughter. A colleague (and parent of a student at the school) has volunteered to write a letter describing “how awesome you are and why” (her words). She said she would have the letter to me by March 30^th (cutting it close, I know).

Every journey has its pit stops…enjoy the scenery.

The first stumbles along the path…

Well, most things are moving right along. I did have to send a friendly e-mail reminder to complete and return some surveys. If I do not receive them by Friday I requested an e-mail telling me they have withdrawn because I have no idea who has or has not returned the survey.

Our school has started TCAP this week, so things have been a little stressful for some. I was just informed that the Site Assessment Leader will not be able to work with me until mid-March, so I have to make some adjustments to my time-line, but I am not overly concerned (for the moment).

Going over what data I have, one trend I have noticed is a strong correlation between the technical skills and knowledge of the smartboard software and amount of time spent creating resources to use them. Those with minimum skills with the software spend “hours and hours” a week creating resources for the smartboard. While those who know the ins and outs of the software spend 20-30 minutes a week developing resources for the smartboard.

I wonder what’s around the bend…

As the Journey Continues…

     Well, as I carry on, there are two overwhelming questions I cannot believe I did not think of before I started my survey and focus group.  Where do teachers mostly acquire their technical skills?  Should teachers be required to take college level computer classes, as most science majors are? Is it ethical for me to ask follow-up questions of my participants after the survey and focus group has been done?

     My focus group went very well for me. The technical skills of my participants seem across the board from basic to advanced levels. There was interest expressed in learning more about database management for better data management. This is an important skill considering how data-driven education is and was considered a fundamental requisite for highly effective teaching. Of course, this is the “clerical” use of technology integration. Where can teachers go to learn these skills if they do not have them other than taking a class?

     Many participants complained of the Promethean (smart-board) PD’s provided by the district as severely lacking and not much help. They were unorganized and many felt more confused after the PD’s than before. The presenter was hard to follow along with and there was not any end objective. A good PD would use a completed project that incorporated essential skills into creating it. In one word “teach”.

     As I continue my journey, I wonder what I may stumble upon…

Technology Integration in the Classroom and Whether Technology Increases Differentiation and Facilitates Teacher Effectiveness

The Journey Begins…one step at a time.

The start of my journey into my data collection has begun smoothly. I am so excited, I can hardly contain myself. I have nine participants, which is a little disappointing. The silver-lining, I have nine participants with a representative from every grade except ECE. I wonder how many will “stay the course” and complete my journey with me! I am curious what the perceived level of technical experience everybody has and how that is translating to technology integration in the classroom. I am still waiting for some of my surveys to return to me. Patience is a virtue…