During the first week of Information Systems Management, we were to interview a teacher that had been teaching more than 20 years and discuss how the internet has impacted their teaching. I was fortunate to have a technology teacher who had taught 35 years, right next door to me. I was a freshman in high school the year the high school I teach at now received internet access. I remember teachers not using it for anything but a time filler. As I went to college, I was using the internet constantly and even taking a course online, which was a new concept at that time. Now that I am a teacher, I can see how useful the internet can be. “For our Business Computer Information Systems classes, we recently purchased an online system, SAM 2007, that allows the students to be tested over the material learned from the textbooks. It gives them tasks to complete and grades it for us. The students love the ease of the system and so do we as teachers!” (Cathey, 2010) I currently use this SAM 2007 systems to help those that are home schooled keep up with their work. I can't imagine all the paperwork I would have to send with our thick book to help train a student on the Office 2007 program. Email is another aspect of the internet that is hard to imagine working without. “If you wanted to communicate with a co-worker you would have to wait until the end of the day or write a memo. I’m not even sure half of the teachers even know how to write a memo anymore” (Cathey, 2010). A negative aspect of the internet though is the easy ability to cheat. . “Thirty seven percent of teens say that they believe many of their peers are using the internet to cheat” (Hitlin & Rainie, 2005). I've even witnesses students using the internet on their cell phones to cheat.
The second week of EDLD 5362 we were to evaluate various networking sites for educators. I was exctied to do this because it is something I had just touched on previously. For example, Teachers.net allows for you to upload and share lesson plans. I know as a fairly new teacher, I am steadily building up my curriculm and I love to get other ideas from vetern teachers. "On Schoolrack.com, teachers can add assignments to the calendar feature for parents and students" (O'Dell, 2009). I use Edmodo.com currently, which is similar to this. I think it helps both my students and I stay more organized.
In week three, I analyzed my district's student information system. At the time of this class our system, RSCCC was new to our district. The teachers felt they did get adequate training, and after interviewing one of the trainers, neither did they. However since then, I myself have trained others about the gradebook system. It is easy to use for teachers and is all internet based so can access it from home. Administrators who use RSCCC like it because it encompasses so much data that you don't have to use multiple systems.
The Horizons Report was the focus of week four in EDLD 5362. After analyzing the report, we were to create a blue print on the model classroom for the year 2015. At the time I took this class, I was not full aware of the purposes of blogs and wikis in the classroom, but The Horizons Reports put it all into perspective. “If a blog is used, this gives students the opportunity to share their research and voice their opinions on the topic at hand” (Johnson, 2009, p. 27). Collaborative environments was also a major part of my classroom blueprint. “These are divided into a variety of categories like student age, geographical area, or subject area for ease of use and practicability to the user” (Hargadon, 2008). Like I said previously, I have just introduced Edmodo.com into my classroom as a collaboration networking site and it has done wonders for the grades and morale of my students. I plan on training my department on this site before the school year ends and stressing the importance of collaboration among students.
Lastly, in week five, we were to create a PowerPoint that overviewed our district's current technology status and future goals. It as been a year since I took this class and when looking back, I can see great improvement in my district's technology situation. We have implemented a new web site software and encouraged our teachers to create a classroom website for use. The district required all teachers certified before 2001 to receive the Texas Technology Competiencies Certification. In discussing this strategy with teachers who had to do the certification, they did not believ it was necessary and some even threatened to quit. However, once the district reassured help with the assignments, things went more smoothly. The High School and Jr. High has added more technology classes including offering BIM to 8th graders for high school credit. Various technology classes have been added to the high school career and technology department, some with dual credit opportunities. I can see that as long as Ennis ISD keeps up with their goals and puts strategies in place to meet those goals, they will succeed.
Cathey, K. (13 January 2009). How the Internet Has Affected Education. L. Hobbs, Interviewer.
O’Dell, J. (4 August 2009). SchoolRack Gives Teachers, Students, Parents Interactive Resources Online. ReadWriteWeb website: http://www.readwriteweb.com/readwritestart/2009/08/schoolrack-gives-teachers-stued.php
Hargadon, S. (11 January 2008). Social Networking in Education. http://www.infinitethinkingmachine.org/2008/01/social-networking-in-education.html.
Hitlin, P., & Rainie, L. (2005 August). The Internet at School. The Pew Internet and American Life Project: http://pewinternet.org/~/media/Files/Reports/2005/PIP_Internet_and_schools_05.pdf.pdf
Johnson, L., Levine, A., Smith, R., & Smythe, T. (2009). The 2009 Horizon Report: K-12 Edition. Austin: The New Media Consortium.
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