1-23-2012 Blog Posting

Texas Computer Educator Association (TCEA) http://www.tcea.org/

“The Texas Computer Education Association is the largest state organization devoted to the use of technology in education. Founded in 1980, the organization has been very active throughout its history supporting instructional technology. Our primary focus is on integrating technology into the PreK-12 environment and providing our members with state-of-the-art information through conferences, workshops, newsletters, the Internet, and collaborations with higher education and business.” From http://www.tcea.org/

I share information about TECA because this is a Texas organization that supports effective uses of technology in classrooms for instruction purposes. Texas teachers can attend sessions that demonstrate technology that can be used in their classrooms.  The mission of TECA supports my developing technology philosophy, also.

Center for Children and Technology (CCT)  http://cct.edc.org/

“We investigate how technology can influence and enhance teaching and learning by conducting basic, applied, formative, and summative research using a mix of qualitative and quantitative methodologies.”  From http://cct.edc.org/

I searched through many websites until I could decide on a second technology organization to share on my ETEC 524 blog. I am not sure that everyone will connect with this organization, but if you are interested in research to support technology use for academic gains this may have some useful information for you. The website was flashy and you have to search for the important information, but well worth you efforts here.

In my position, as an assistant professor, I enjoy reading how research projects are built around technology use in the classroom. This supports my educational technology philosophy because I am searching for meaningful uses of technology not superficial uses---here today---gone tomorrow.

Today, Educational Technology according to Merry Boggs is technology that that can be integrated into four main classroom areas: classroom management, instructional delivery, student practice, and teach professional development. Technology can be used to manage students through connecting to students, playing games for transitional periods. Technology that supports student’s learning whether through meaningful practice or motivates students to learn.  Additionally, educational technology includes teachers’ uses of technology to present instructional lessons.  More importantly, teachers can stay current through professional development activities and meeting teacher throughout the world.

Week 1 Reflections

I am playing with multiple ways to post for ETEC 524. I posted my first draft of my educational philosophy in a separate post. Now, I am going to think about this week's readings. I connected with articles for this week. November's article with simple ideas to think about in regard to schools and technology. When I was a principal in 1994---I spend tons of money for technology that was used very little. I am sad to report the gaps in technology uses today in classrooms.  In my work I visit classrooms with lots of technology for teacher's use but little for students. Other classrooms have students using technology. November reported research that cannot report a connection between teach and higher achievement. I do not want to get on my soap box but at times, learning cannot  be reduced to a quantitative score to be measured. What about motivation--student agency--student satisfaction? Can you measure all these factors with a number? When you see students actively engaged in learning activities with technology---you know that is a connection and an impact. Educational blogging article really helped me to envision a classroom that has integrated technology with learning. Reading the students comments helped me realize that I have to work to get to that point in my teaching career!

In my work as college professor, I still have to take my class to a computer lab instead of having computers in my classroom for students use. My favorite point in November's article is the importance of collegiality---on my tech journey I have learned that working with peers helps me with technology use!

This semseter I hope to gain confidence with my teachnology use. Not to be afraid to try and fail and try agian. I also would like to find balance. How technology and print can intertwine and support student learning!

Philosophy

My first draft of my educational technology philosophy:

My philosophy of education is built on two theories: pragmatism and reconstructivism (i.e. critical theory). From the reconstructivism, I take the belief in individuals and to questions everything. Also, that life is not simple. One must examine the complexity of life to make meaningful change. With that said, reconstructivism believes that no one single person has great insights than other individuals. Impacting the relationship of teacher/students, they should work to co-construct learning.  Pragmatism weaves itself like a virus through an email attachment to my whole belief system.  Luckily for me, there is not program remove the pragmatism virus from my belief system.  I love theory but at times theory alone does not help improve teaching/learning process. I found that linking theory to practice my major goal through principles of pragmatism help me.

When I approach technology, I want to find a place for technology in my teaching practice. However, I do not want technology simply to become a passing fad as most innovations do in education. At this point in my career, here is what I understand about technology. Technology has a place in my instructional delivery and student practice. The only problem I face is what does this technology look like in my instructional delivery and what technology helps teachers/students practice. One major obstacle for me is that in my work as teacher trainer many times technology has not found its way into a majority of classroom in meaningful ways.