EDLD+5370+Comprehensive+Examination

Week 1 Assignment, Part 1.2: Begin Comprehensive Examination--Title Page and Introduction with Career and Leadership Goals.

Examination of Masters in Educational Technology Leadership Acquiring Knowledge by Using Educational Technology J. Andres Gallardo-Virgen Lamar University

**Examination of Masters of Educational Technology Leadership ** My first contact with computers was fascinating. I had the opportunity to use one of the big 16-bit computers PDP-11 sold by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) and those Apple IIe. Since those days, early 80’s, I have never being //disconnected// from them. For this reason, I studied engineering in computer systems and masters in information technologies that allowed me to get experience in diverse areas such as geographic information systems, database management systems and networking. In most of specialized jobs that I had, I barely interacted with people. Reflecting in how I had being utilizing my knowledge and experience, I decided to switch my activity to the most rewarding field: education. **Position Goals **  In the professional life, my goal is to produce some material that could help students to succeed academically. There are some steps that I need to complete in order to pursue my goals. My vision is to promote access to technology to all students of my district, regardless of the economic household income. With my new role of administrator, I think that my voice is louder to advocate for this children to be aware of the technology since early childhood. Being in the position as technology director would allow me to research, promote and propose the cutting edge tools applied to the education and give access to all students in my district. **Leadership Goals **  In my position as educational technology leader, I would like my district to be recognized for the community as a good center of education where students could meet all the educational needs to succeed in middle school. I recognize in every student as a future lawyer, doctor, educator and even one possible president of the United States. To accomplish this dream we need to motivate our student to learn and to create the same opportunities that other schools with more resources provide. Technology is a mean to optimize resources both students and teachers. In my district, that has more than 90% of students economically disadvantaged and knowing that this is a factor that determines the academic performance and the existence of technology gap between our population and the rest of the students that has access to technology (Barry, 2005). I understand the social background or most the students and the need of attend this population that does not have equal opportunities for the lack of support of their parent caused for the language barrier, in addition to their economic position. After finishing my program and holding my credentials as principal I will be able to negotiate better with all stakeholders and probably could have a higher position in the administration in order to allocate the resources that our students need.

References: Barry, J. (2005). The Effect of Socio-economic Status on Academic Achievement. Wichita State University. Retrieved from http://soar.wichita.edu/dspace /bitstream/handle/10057/616/Barry_Jennifer.pdf?sequence=1