LST 491 course has illuminated me to view the current scenario of the US education. Before starting the class, the course title looked like a boring subject. But more I involved into the course the more I feel interested, only because of Dr. Garrigon’s teaching style and strategy. Every class is so interesting, impressive and thoughtful because through real life story telling he introduced the unknown topic to us. I came to know the unknown real life story in Education and how a Technology director can handle that unusual condition and plan to make a good strategy for solving the problem. In my view,Technology Coordinator’s job is very hard and challenging. Without Computer science background and management, it is very hard to stick to this job. In comparison with other course, this course has fully very different aspect like management of technology in education and I enjoyed that particularly budget code part which was complex, challenging but enjoyable.
Every thoughtful question was challenging to me, because it has a profound thought in it, as I have no real life experience about school environment here in the US, I had spent much time in it, for example, imaging part. I had no idea before, compared to somebody who are already working in this environment, they may find pretty simple. I may write something not so thoughtful, but I wrote what I understood. Even though for our main project, Wikibook writing each individual had no much contribution except a small part or chapter, but through thoughtful problem writing we contribute our own thinking in every aspect of this course, particularly supporting and maintaining technology in school with an educator's standpoint.
To me Wikibook writing is the most interesting and enthusiastic part of this course. I had a feeling of just like writing a book and got an idea of up to date electronic book writing. It seems to me that cooperation, collaboration and management are very important in Wiki book writing. Compared to others I have not much discussion in the first, but later I met several times and we distributed our work in three subsections. Actually I focused on both sections purchasing technology Research as well as receiving technology.
As a whole, Dr. Garrigon’s teaching strategy, Wikibook writing and Thoughtful questions has made the course pretty enjoyable and eye opening so that my writing skill has been improved as well as it has enhanced my knowledge to a great extent.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Thoughtful Problem #13
1. Your superintendent has learned that you wrote a Wikibook, and he asks you for your reactions to the Wikibook process and how you think writing Wikibooks (or something like it) might have a place in school. He is so intrigued by your response that he asks you to summarize your ideas on one-page and submit it to him.
2. Write a one-page document (three to five paragraphs) that he can use to share your ideas with his cabinet and school board. In it relate your experience (positive and/or negative) in writing a Wikibook. Explain where such a creative (constructivist) activity might fit in a school. You may also explain where it might not be a good fit. Explain the problems you might expect the project to encounter, and how the problems could be minimized. Wikibooks are only for non-fiction textbooks. Don't let that restriction limit your response because other wiki sites could be used for fiction or non-textbooks.
My reflection on Wikibook writing
Marshall Mcluhan’s word, ‘media is the message’ is really true in Wikibook writing. Wekipedia is an increasing body of knowledge that one can observe through quickly pooling out the information. Writing on the Web is like creating a virtual representation of myself as a writer. It is a reputation of my writing capability as well as organization capability and Technological capability. It also examine my collaborative intelligence-The ability to pool knowledge and share knowledge with others toward a common goal.
From the very beginning toward end contribution in the Wikibook is pretty enthusiastic and somewhat challenging. Supervisor or project manager plays a vital role for any project to guide the whole project and to finish it smoothly toward end. To me organization of chapters and subtopics are the core part of Wikibook writing. Once chapter and subchapter organization is completed and job is divided, then project is easy to handle, because each individual has own responsibility to finish the particular portion. Formatting text, paragraph, page and image is very challenging. Visual appearance, readability and overall appeal are all important in formatting Wikipedia. All kinds of plagiarism are prohibited from Wikipedia. Uploading an image can be challenging, if someone miss any required steps. Collaborative editing is the most interesting thing.
Middle school and high school teacher for history, geography and science subjects can start a project in Wikipedia like this. As middle and high school kids tend to be technology savvy, a book writing project can bring enthusiasm for some boring topics. It has two sides ,Individual responsiblty for one chapter or subchapter as well as knowledge gaining from peers. 21st century skill is collaborative, management skill like project management , how they handle a project , leadership , cooperative skill, communication skill, time management skill,thinking and problem solving skill,Information and communication technology (ICT) literacy, all a teacher can assess through a constructivist project. How a student comprehend new ideas, solve problem, make decisions all can be assessed through a collaborative project in constructivist environment. As Wiki book or any wiki site is free of cost, any middle and high school teacher can jump into it with their students. Wikibook is a collaborative academic writing. It brings higher level of motivation. Learning from peers,sharing expertise within a group, combining text with images, video and sound all are motivating and interesting for kids.
2. Write a one-page document (three to five paragraphs) that he can use to share your ideas with his cabinet and school board. In it relate your experience (positive and/or negative) in writing a Wikibook. Explain where such a creative (constructivist) activity might fit in a school. You may also explain where it might not be a good fit. Explain the problems you might expect the project to encounter, and how the problems could be minimized. Wikibooks are only for non-fiction textbooks. Don't let that restriction limit your response because other wiki sites could be used for fiction or non-textbooks.
My reflection on Wikibook writing
Marshall Mcluhan’s word, ‘media is the message’ is really true in Wikibook writing. Wekipedia is an increasing body of knowledge that one can observe through quickly pooling out the information. Writing on the Web is like creating a virtual representation of myself as a writer. It is a reputation of my writing capability as well as organization capability and Technological capability. It also examine my collaborative intelligence-The ability to pool knowledge and share knowledge with others toward a common goal.
From the very beginning toward end contribution in the Wikibook is pretty enthusiastic and somewhat challenging. Supervisor or project manager plays a vital role for any project to guide the whole project and to finish it smoothly toward end. To me organization of chapters and subtopics are the core part of Wikibook writing. Once chapter and subchapter organization is completed and job is divided, then project is easy to handle, because each individual has own responsibility to finish the particular portion. Formatting text, paragraph, page and image is very challenging. Visual appearance, readability and overall appeal are all important in formatting Wikipedia. All kinds of plagiarism are prohibited from Wikipedia. Uploading an image can be challenging, if someone miss any required steps. Collaborative editing is the most interesting thing.
Middle school and high school teacher for history, geography and science subjects can start a project in Wikipedia like this. As middle and high school kids tend to be technology savvy, a book writing project can bring enthusiasm for some boring topics. It has two sides ,Individual responsiblty for one chapter or subchapter as well as knowledge gaining from peers. 21st century skill is collaborative, management skill like project management , how they handle a project , leadership , cooperative skill, communication skill, time management skill,thinking and problem solving skill,Information and communication technology (ICT) literacy, all a teacher can assess through a constructivist project. How a student comprehend new ideas, solve problem, make decisions all can be assessed through a collaborative project in constructivist environment. As Wiki book or any wiki site is free of cost, any middle and high school teacher can jump into it with their students. Wikibook is a collaborative academic writing. It brings higher level of motivation. Learning from peers,sharing expertise within a group, combining text with images, video and sound all are motivating and interesting for kids.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Thoughtful Problem #12
Read the three web pages for class 12 in Course Documents. Select one of these or one of your own that presents a serious ethical problem for the technology director. A serious ethical problem usually has consequences no matter how you decide to act. In three to five paragraphs, discuss as honestly as you can the ethical problem and the possible consequences.
In response to the tech director’s ethical dilemma:
The reading makes me think about how a teacher can be so much vulgar and ugly and how one organization like a high school in the US can not terminate her from teaching like moral job or imprison her. In my view, this teacher should immediately be terminated from the school and a tech coordinator’s duty to protect students and school environment, school technology at any cost. Ethical issues must be prioritized first.
As this teacher showed the kids how to bypass filter, she should be terminated from the school. As a tech coordinator, I think that it should be reported first to the higher authority, like school principle, superintendent, and administration. She may have a power to abuse technology like one higher authority of school district may have personal relationship. There are hidden corruption everywhere in the US society .Who knows that probably that person may relate to some political organization. Everybody may already aware of this issue, but due to possible bad consequence, this may be overlooked by others.
One of the biggest issues with ethics is loyalty. Now question is loyalty to whom? To the community or to the boss or authority. In most cases, every working person has bondage to the higher authority. Any public staff should keep safeguard confidential information, but should put loyalty on the public’s interest above personal and political loyalties. In perspective of fairness, dignity, respect, tech coordinator should make decision based on the merits of the issue, pay attention on policy, apply policy consistently. Policy should be reviewed periodically. In perspective of responsibility- as a public servant, a tech coordinator works for the community, take responsibility for his or her own actions, even when it is uncomfortable to do so.
He or she should involve all appropriate stakeholders in meeting affecting decisions, follow through on commitments, keep others informed all the incidents.
Therefore,as a Public servant and care-giver for students ,first step is to figure out what is right things to do which is sometimes difficult due to grey areas and ethical dilemmas. Second, what is the public’s perception of the right thing to do would be? Third, when needed balance the first two steps and follow the path that best serves public’s interest.
In response to the tech director’s ethical dilemma:
The reading makes me think about how a teacher can be so much vulgar and ugly and how one organization like a high school in the US can not terminate her from teaching like moral job or imprison her. In my view, this teacher should immediately be terminated from the school and a tech coordinator’s duty to protect students and school environment, school technology at any cost. Ethical issues must be prioritized first.
As this teacher showed the kids how to bypass filter, she should be terminated from the school. As a tech coordinator, I think that it should be reported first to the higher authority, like school principle, superintendent, and administration. She may have a power to abuse technology like one higher authority of school district may have personal relationship. There are hidden corruption everywhere in the US society .Who knows that probably that person may relate to some political organization. Everybody may already aware of this issue, but due to possible bad consequence, this may be overlooked by others.
One of the biggest issues with ethics is loyalty. Now question is loyalty to whom? To the community or to the boss or authority. In most cases, every working person has bondage to the higher authority. Any public staff should keep safeguard confidential information, but should put loyalty on the public’s interest above personal and political loyalties. In perspective of fairness, dignity, respect, tech coordinator should make decision based on the merits of the issue, pay attention on policy, apply policy consistently. Policy should be reviewed periodically. In perspective of responsibility- as a public servant, a tech coordinator works for the community, take responsibility for his or her own actions, even when it is uncomfortable to do so.
He or she should involve all appropriate stakeholders in meeting affecting decisions, follow through on commitments, keep others informed all the incidents.
Therefore,as a Public servant and care-giver for students ,first step is to figure out what is right things to do which is sometimes difficult due to grey areas and ethical dilemmas. Second, what is the public’s perception of the right thing to do would be? Third, when needed balance the first two steps and follow the path that best serves public’s interest.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Thoughtful Problem #11
1. Busy administrators and lay people (non-technically trained) usually prefer to read a 1-page summary of a technology report. If they have a special reason or interest, they may read the entire document. Your goal is to get them to read at least the 1-page summary. Our Thoughtful Problems have been designed to train you in the preparation of a logically-organized 1-page statement or explanation.
2. Choose a technology topic that interests you. Imagine that your superintendent has requested a report from you on this topic. In 3-5 paragraphs write a clear explanatory report. The report may concern a proposal for a new project, a progress report on a problem like poor network bandwidth, or a status report on a project like a one-to-one computer implementation or technology staff development program. The emphasis in this Thoughtful Problem is the clarity, explanation and persuasion that may be necessary for the report to be effective. Keep in mind that the report may be given to each school board director or to newspaper and television reporters.
Response:A report on one to one computer implementation in a middle school.
This report conveys the impact of one to one computer implementation on the students. Reviewing Formative and summative revolution through qualitative and quantitative methods we got a clear evidence of this program. The goal of the program was the overall development in all subjects.
Different students and teachers survey results show that this program has had a substantial impact on their instruction. Students’ attitudes and perceptions has been changed after the laptop integration. Students are very excited and involved in study more than ever before. Survey results show that their writing skills have been developed and their technology skill has been developed undoubtedly. Teachers have developed technology skills after attending in workshops and through other professional development. Their teaching has been effective than ever before. Teachers’ reports show increase in students motivation, attendance and class participation, particularly for at risk students. Compared to previous grades in different subjects, after technology implementation and full fledged laptop utilization, students’ grades in all subject areas have been improved. Laptop initiative in grade 6-8 enhances students’ motivation, facilitates group work, helps to analyze data immediately during lab exercise, helps to conduct scientific investigation in the field rather than in the classroom. It inspires students’ creativity through projects and presentation. It is a shift to student centered classroom and develop a sustainable academic achievement. Therefore,it has a positive impact on students’ learning and achievements.
Drawbacks: Some teachers express that they need direct technical support for their laptops in a daily basis. Majority of teachers suggests that the lack of technical support on a regular basis really hinders the potentiality of laptops. Sometimes students’ misbehavior concerning misusing laptops is prohibited from the use of laptops and that affects students learning. Equity issue, possibilities of theft, vandalism and accidental damages are the greatest concern that should be taken care of. Added costs of hardware, network costs, technical support conditions and faculty training are the greatest obstacles.
As one to one Laptop program is new and in progress, equitable access, costs, security are challenging for this school. Narrowing Digital divide and digital disconnect are the solution for this problem. When student has high speed access to a digital assistant at school and at home, their research, writing, calculations, presentation, problem solving are likely to be better organized. Similarly,high quality professional development should get first priotity, it can develop world of possibilities for instruction and self guided learning. The bottomline is that even though the evaluation of this program conveys a positive impact on students' overall achievement, but still there is a lot of potentiality exists in this program regarding students' progress.
2. Choose a technology topic that interests you. Imagine that your superintendent has requested a report from you on this topic. In 3-5 paragraphs write a clear explanatory report. The report may concern a proposal for a new project, a progress report on a problem like poor network bandwidth, or a status report on a project like a one-to-one computer implementation or technology staff development program. The emphasis in this Thoughtful Problem is the clarity, explanation and persuasion that may be necessary for the report to be effective. Keep in mind that the report may be given to each school board director or to newspaper and television reporters.
Response:A report on one to one computer implementation in a middle school.
This report conveys the impact of one to one computer implementation on the students. Reviewing Formative and summative revolution through qualitative and quantitative methods we got a clear evidence of this program. The goal of the program was the overall development in all subjects.
Different students and teachers survey results show that this program has had a substantial impact on their instruction. Students’ attitudes and perceptions has been changed after the laptop integration. Students are very excited and involved in study more than ever before. Survey results show that their writing skills have been developed and their technology skill has been developed undoubtedly. Teachers have developed technology skills after attending in workshops and through other professional development. Their teaching has been effective than ever before. Teachers’ reports show increase in students motivation, attendance and class participation, particularly for at risk students. Compared to previous grades in different subjects, after technology implementation and full fledged laptop utilization, students’ grades in all subject areas have been improved. Laptop initiative in grade 6-8 enhances students’ motivation, facilitates group work, helps to analyze data immediately during lab exercise, helps to conduct scientific investigation in the field rather than in the classroom. It inspires students’ creativity through projects and presentation. It is a shift to student centered classroom and develop a sustainable academic achievement. Therefore,it has a positive impact on students’ learning and achievements.
Drawbacks: Some teachers express that they need direct technical support for their laptops in a daily basis. Majority of teachers suggests that the lack of technical support on a regular basis really hinders the potentiality of laptops. Sometimes students’ misbehavior concerning misusing laptops is prohibited from the use of laptops and that affects students learning. Equity issue, possibilities of theft, vandalism and accidental damages are the greatest concern that should be taken care of. Added costs of hardware, network costs, technical support conditions and faculty training are the greatest obstacles.
As one to one Laptop program is new and in progress, equitable access, costs, security are challenging for this school. Narrowing Digital divide and digital disconnect are the solution for this problem. When student has high speed access to a digital assistant at school and at home, their research, writing, calculations, presentation, problem solving are likely to be better organized. Similarly,high quality professional development should get first priotity, it can develop world of possibilities for instruction and self guided learning. The bottomline is that even though the evaluation of this program conveys a positive impact on students' overall achievement, but still there is a lot of potentiality exists in this program regarding students' progress.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Wiki book writing
As I mentioned earlier, I tried to improve the first section of purchasing as well as receiving section by writing and specifying in more detail. I included flow charts in both sections, "researching technology purchasing" and "receiving" section, because those flow charts gives any lay person an idea about whole purchasing process of a school district.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Wiki book updates
As I started "Researching Technology purchases" section first, I am now trying to finish this section perfectly. I edited a few part and included some in there. I touched just to the point, but now I think I should write it little elaborately. However, I am focusing on this section as well as "Receiving" section and will try to do my best.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Wiki book update
This week I did research about receiving technology. I found one Website about Inventory management software and I included the URL in our Wikibook. I am still thinking about what I can add in our Purchaising section.
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