The activity I enjoyed the most was the great divide. You presented a question to the class then we chose a side. What I really enjoyed about the activity was defending your decision. So many persons in the class had worked in only one school or with the same demographics their whole careers so the variety of responses were interesting and helpful in demonstrating the scope of issues that administrators will address in their positions.

The shared resources for apps and blog pages was also very helpful. The testimonials were useful as a way to sift through a lot of apps and then having the google doc to return to in order to experiment and test out multiple apps for my own personal use was a wonderful resource. 

If I were to change anything about the class it would be the presentations. While the class was not large it still took way to long to present individually, on every topic. In addition with everyone presenting on the same idea or theme the presentations did not vary greatly and it was difficult to stay engaged. Either changing to group presentations or varying the assignment for different presenters would make this task more interesting and engaging. 

I am more excited about using job embedded professional development to grow our technology vision. This allows peer review and feedback, as well as immediate assistance for technology implementation. Too often when a teacher reaches out to try something new in the classroom, they become discouraged by the mishaps, stalls, and unknown quirks. Having partner teachers, visiting teachers, or peer reviewers in the classroom as it happens can help mitigate the fallout of any of those pitfalls.

Did you grow up in a time before computers were commonplace?

Yes, I did. I was born in the early 80's and while computers were on the rise it was by no means something that everyone had in their homes yet. And it was becoming much more common in schools and businesses.

What are your earliest memories of utilizing technology?

One of the first games I can remember playing on the computer was Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy. It was just the blinking cursor and you were required to type instructions specifically enough as to direct all future actions. Loved it!!!!

What was your first computer?

We had a Gateway computer. It came in the giant box with the cow print on it. It was the coolest thing eva!!!

Teacher perceptions and prior experiences play a major role in the success of any new programs within a school. The article "Teachers' perceptions of the barriers to technology integration and practices with technology under situated professional development" will be helpful in recognizing what some of those perceptions are and how they can create obstacles to new programs. The ability to predict some of these pitfalls will be beneficial to prior planning and preparedness to accommodate or remove any of those pitfalls before hand. 

Digital Footprints in the Sand

The social media platforms I am most comfortable with are Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, twitter, and Linked In.

My digital footprint and how I would like to present it to the world is currently a source of conundrum for myself. I stay apprised of political goings on without feeling any particular need to be the voice for the informed masses. I teach and enjoy greatly delving into the many lessons, activities, and creative classroom tools online, but have never felt compelled to develop my own tools to share. My greatest frustration with education is that of informing the masses of multiple perspectives and perpetuating the idea that all decisions are not made on the basis of a singular individual but for the greater good of the education system as a whole. In the last year I have begun another blog where I post my own perspective on the happenings in my school and events as I interpret them. I believe that I would like my digital footprint to reflect more of my knack for intelligent observation.

Technology Integration Plan: Codename "American Spaceship"

Sarah Lynch

Technology Integration Plan - Okarche Jr. High/High School

• About Okarche
• Okarche is a small rural town in Oklahoma, population around 1,300 and steadily increasing.
• Demographics:  92.8% White, 0.6% African American, 2.3% Native American, 0.0% Asian, 2.3% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.4% of the population. (information lifted straight from wikipedia, to be confirmed at a later date)
• About Okarche Schools
• High School and Jr. High facilities are paired together
• Enrollment of approximately 150 students for both schools
• Teachers cover multiple subjects (great opportunity for cross curricular)
• Technology Tools
• Tech needs for the community
• School events
• Students partnering with community
• Community support of schools
• Tech needs for the teachers/staff
• Grading
• Teacher/Staff communications
• Documentation
• Parent communications
• Student communications
• Tech needs for the parents
• Student grades/schedules/sports calendars
• Teacher communications
• Tech needs for the students
• Grades/schedules/calendars
• Teacher communications
• Curriculum Programs

Day Three of My Voyage Into Uncharted Education

To have student focused curriculum we have to educate our teachers to rise to the education.

Gearing professional development to meet the needs of the teachers to fill in those gaps for rigorous classroom instruction.

I look forward to identifying those small changes to an existing environment that helps teachers enjoy teaching and students enjoy learning.

While not awful, the chapter reflections always turn very dry.

I enjoyed the "It Sucks, It Rocks" activity. It displayed many different perspectives and introduced ideas I might not have heard otherwise. Plus, I really enjoy being on the negative nancy side, it's where all the cool kids are.