A second organization is found is TCEA (Texas Computer Education Association). The mission of this organization is to improve teaching and learning through the use of computers and technology. It is divided into 20 areas so that the various parts of Texas can be better served. TCEA was founded in 1980 and is affiliated with ISTE. Its primary focus is in the Pre-kindergarten through 12th grade environment. TCEA wants to integrate technology into these grade levels by providing its members with state-of-the-art information. They provide this by offering conferences, workshops, newsletters, Internet and collaborations with higher education and businesses.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Reflective Blog #2 and Concept Map
One organization I found was TIES (Technology Information Education Service). It is a Minnesota software developer and focuses its efforts in that area of the United States. This developer is working to integrate student learning, personalized learning, finance, human resources and payroll systems. This will essentially optimize the performances at the school districts involved with this association. The mission of TIES is to optimize student performance by doing threethings. The first is to promote collaborative relationships with the various district members. Secondly, provide instructional and operational technology product and services. Finally, TIES conduct research and development.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Technology Educational Philosophy
I closely identify with the Pragmatism school of thought because I try to make education a necessity to my students, incorporate real-life situations to them, use various forms of technology to instruct them and feel that education is life. I feel this way because of the support I received as a student in school. I was given the opportunity to extend my learning through sports, the arts and academic contests as well. As a kindergarten teacher I try to keep my students focused, introduce them to various types of technology that is appropriate for their age.
I think that by reflecting on my Educational Technology Philosophy I will be able to see changes that I need to make in my teaching style. I tend to be automate instead of an informate. Sometimes I think it is the way I have been trained in workshops for technology, but other times I think it is the age I teach. I teach kindergarten at a school that is largely low socio-economic, thus my students do not have much access to technology at home. So, I tend to "show" them technology rather than have them "use" it.
I am new to aspect of blogging. However, I feel it will help stay in touch my my classmates. I may even start my own blog about my classroom when I feel more comfortable with it.
According to the article, I do not feel we have completely met his potential for technology in the educational setting. We are making improvements by offering more technology classes for students in upper grades, but what about our elementary students. At my school we have just begun using interactive boards with our students and a computer program that will teach the students basic computer skills. So, we are striving for improvement, but I do not feel we have met the potential that Mr. Downes mentioned in his article. One reason for not meeting this potential, I feel, is simply money. Many times in schools technology gets overlooked because of budgets. As budgets shrink for schools, so does the opportunity to add technology. There should be a way for schools to add as much technology as they can without causing the district to go into debt.
The one area that stood out to me the most was area four. I never thought about viewing technology plans as "information communication planning". This part of the article was interesting to me because I have been part of writing the campus improvment plans for my school and never thought twice about the technology plans. Hopefully in the future I will be able to influence my school about this planning.
In this class, I have already learned quite a bit about how to implement technology rather than overlay it with what I am already doing. So, I hope to learn ways to use technology as a learning tool rather than a supplemental tool with my students. I also hope to become more comfortable with technology integration and implementation as well.
I think that by reflecting on my Educational Technology Philosophy I will be able to see changes that I need to make in my teaching style. I tend to be automate instead of an informate. Sometimes I think it is the way I have been trained in workshops for technology, but other times I think it is the age I teach. I teach kindergarten at a school that is largely low socio-economic, thus my students do not have much access to technology at home. So, I tend to "show" them technology rather than have them "use" it.
I am new to aspect of blogging. However, I feel it will help stay in touch my my classmates. I may even start my own blog about my classroom when I feel more comfortable with it.
According to the article, I do not feel we have completely met his potential for technology in the educational setting. We are making improvements by offering more technology classes for students in upper grades, but what about our elementary students. At my school we have just begun using interactive boards with our students and a computer program that will teach the students basic computer skills. So, we are striving for improvement, but I do not feel we have met the potential that Mr. Downes mentioned in his article. One reason for not meeting this potential, I feel, is simply money. Many times in schools technology gets overlooked because of budgets. As budgets shrink for schools, so does the opportunity to add technology. There should be a way for schools to add as much technology as they can without causing the district to go into debt.
The one area that stood out to me the most was area four. I never thought about viewing technology plans as "information communication planning". This part of the article was interesting to me because I have been part of writing the campus improvment plans for my school and never thought twice about the technology plans. Hopefully in the future I will be able to influence my school about this planning.
In this class, I have already learned quite a bit about how to implement technology rather than overlay it with what I am already doing. So, I hope to learn ways to use technology as a learning tool rather than a supplemental tool with my students. I also hope to become more comfortable with technology integration and implementation as well.
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