At the moment, I don’t seem to have much time to create my own blog posts.  However I do find using my blog to curate articles has helped me with my personal learning community and with my self directed staff development.  In my district we all have to submit a mid year reflection.   I’m sharing mine as I hope it might give the readers of this blog  an idea of what I am trying to accomplish as a technology integration specialist.  Also check out the “A Good Reminder for the New Year”   It is a real eye opener.  This a slide show so move forward through all of the slides.

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More curated articles in Scoop It

Here are my mid year reflections for January 2014:

The 2013-2014 is my first official year working as the district Technology Integration Specialist. I have been collaborating with K-8 teachers.  Last year at this time I noted the ever increasing acceptance of Google Apps in the middle school.  This year I am seeing that teachers and students throughout the district are using Google Apps for sharing, collaboration, and creativity.  Compared to a year ago, this year’s first blizzard bag day saw far fewer calls for help, This further underlines the fact that everyone is more comfortable using cloud computing. As I have visited different buildings, I have encouraged everyone to continue to implement all of the district’s ICT standards. I have continued to concentrate on the Citizenship, copyright issues, and the availability of creative commons resources.  I have been using the SAMR model as a guideline for technology integration. The main focus of technology in education is no longer how to use essential hardware and software; it is rather how to move from substituting and augmentation to modifying and redefining how we teach.  In essence we must move toward engaging students in powerful learning by taking advantage of resources that didn’t exist in the past.  We can now perform new task that were previously impossible.  We must also use technology to address all levels of Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy.  Technology can help students move beyond remembering to understanding, applying, analyzing and in the 21st Century most importantly creating. Technology can help our students become lifelong self-motivated learners.  It can also help to them to become adaptable problem solvers and critical thinkers.  I am seeing more and more teachers showing a desire and willingness to try new things using technology.  Many educators in our district are starting to move beyond basic multimedia projects to higher level products incorporating traditional mathematics, science, reading and writing skills along with the use of video and sound recording, etc.  We have started to see collaboration among staff members I would like to see more sharing on the ICT site and expanded participation in technology cafes.  Educators need to use technology to create personal online learning communities that can take advantage of the vast amount of educational resources on the Internet.  I would like to see us continue to encourage teachers to use their own websites and blogs to communicate with students, each other and the community at large.  I have continued to search for and utilize resources that align technology with the common core guidelines. We do need to continue to find ways to replace and acquire the devices to provide each student with available access to technology when needed to accomplish educational tasks. I will continue to encourage teachers and students to take risks and to try something new.  Technology provides the means for everyone, adults and students alike, to take charge of their own learning and to become responsible productive members of the world.  We are making progress.  The successful implementation of Google Apps was a first step.  I will continue to collaborate with everyone in order to help as all, including myself, accomplish what was once impossible and in many cases unheard of before.