EDLD+5370+Reflections+on+assignments+in+EDLD+5397

 **EDLD 5370 Reflections on assignments in **  **EDLD 5397 Internship Supervision **    During the course EDLD 5397 Internship for Supervision I had the opportunity to know about the National Educational Technology Standards for Administrators and reflected in what I already have some strengths ISTE, (2009). For instance one of my strengths is to collaborate to establish metrics, collect and analyze data, interpret results, and share findings to improve staff performance and student learning. Since the school year 2009-2010 I was helping in doing the assessments. We tried different assessments (weekly, biweekly, benchmarks). I think that everyone, students, teachers and we were exhausted by working in this way. Since the beginning of the school year 2010-2011 I was formally in charge of the assessments and I planned a systematic way to measure the student’s performance that includes a more regular schedule, and a better analysis of the scores. I can say that we provided teachers, administrators and students with information in timely fashion and presented in a manner that they could make important decisions. Another of my strengths is to promote and model effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders using digital-age tools. As part of the admin/technology position that I have currently, I have promoted within the teachers and students the use of some tools for example the smart boards in middle school, where we have provided each classroom with projector, smart board and document camera (//Elmo//). Also, we have implemented some online tests designed by our department using, php and .//aml// languages providing scores immediately. I think that it is hard to make all the tests for all the grades for subjects in the computers, but we can promote these practices and encourage other faculty to embrace it. Also, we promoted the use of student response system (//Quizdom//) between 3rd, 4th and 7th teachers and students to practice math, because this devices can convert courses into stimulating and active clases (EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative, 2005). At this moment, we have developed materials for some themes, and we need more people to help us in the development of these resource materials, however, this is a good start point for the incoming school year 2011-2012. I expect to extend the use of the //Quizdom// devices to other subjects and grade levels (Allen, 2003).

I need to work more in the recruitment and retention of highly competent personnel who use technology creatively and proficiently to advance academic and operational. My school faced a problem that was academically unacceptable in the 2008-2009 school year, and some drastic changes were conducted. Some of this changes implied removing or relocating teachers. This practice also was accompanied with recruiting staff, administrators and teachers that not entirely fit in the school as needed. There was some trial and error because the school expected immediately results. I think that we need to be more careful in the selection of the new teachers and give them more time to adapt in our school and promote the school spirit in between them to make them embrace the common values and school policies.

Also I need to ensure effective practice in the study of technology and its infusion across the curriculum. Even though the school has been implementing new approaches in the use of technology within the curriculum as I mentioned before, we have not used some resources to the potential that they was intended to be used. For example, we have a new brand tech lab with 22 computers and a Computers On Wheels unit (COW) with another 22 laptops that they had little use. Also, these computers were used only to teach technology and we did not take advantage to integrate the curriculum properly. I am certain that the integration technology across the curriculum is a priority.

This self assessment made me more aware of my strengths and my areas that I need to improve, in a moment that is important to me and my school, because we are about to start a new school year and it is time for reflection on what we did and planning on what we will do in the incoming school year and try to improve our performance to accomplish the challenges that we will have.

As a lifelong learner I found that use of technology across the curriculum is a vast field to investigation because there are many technology resources that are not used efficiently in schools. This is not necessarily bad. This is just because technology is running at faster pace than implementations into the education field are made and because it implies training in the use of new technologies. As leaders we can push towards these trends.

I had a very good exercise in reflecting how I am doing my duties in my role as administrator because as soon as I give the ETLISE to my principal and mentor she asked me to my self assessment as well. At this moment, I needed to promote the use of technology in the students with special need, and to shape the technological culture in the school. Also, I needed to design strategies to promote the development of higher-order skill in students. I need to work more in activities that increase the productivity in the school by using the technology.

Other important think that I did during this course, was setting my position goal. It was to be in a position where I could impact more directly in the decision regarding technology and curriculum. I think that as principal I can lead my school in technology and education. I need to occupy a leadership position, such as the one that I have now as Admin Team Member. I need to spend more time in this position to acquire more experience in schools administration.

My leadership goal was to influence positively in the development of the students throughout the use of technology. I have a strong technology background that I can offer to the educational field. What moves me is that many students don’t have access to many opportunities because they are economically disadvantaged and I want to provide them with more equity by closing the technology gap. I know that principals have a many activities in different areas. I like to set achievable and mid-term goals and go step by step rather than setting long term goal. I will spend more time in the administration in my school to learn more about who to run a school and then I will set higher goal. **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">References **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Allen, J. G. (2003). A study of the professional development needs of ohio principals in the area of educational technology. (Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati). Retrieved from: http://etd.ohiolink.edu/view.cgi/ALLEN%20JAMES.pdf?ucin1053112281 <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative. (2005). 7 Things you shouls know about Clickers. Boulder, Co: EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative. Available from http://www.educause.edu/eli <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">ISTE, (2009). National Educational Technology Standards for Administrators, (2009). ,ISTE. International Society for Technology in Education). www.iste.org. All rights reserved. http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForAdministrators/2009Standards/NETS_for Administrators_2009.htm.