Reflection of ED. 641

     I have felt that I wanted to integrate technology more into my art curriculum, but there are challenges and some of them were pointed out throughout this class and some I was aware of already.  I do feel that technology integration must come from the administration.  When it does it is most successful.  At my own school we have a technology teacher that has been the driving force in pushing for more technology use throughout the school, through projects with the middle school students to using online tools for record keeping for the faculty.  We are in the midst of a process of this where I do not feel as though technology is being used in a way where students are producing in their regular content classes.  This is where I think technology integration would be the most exciting.  There is subject matter that can be made more interesting engaging for students if they were able to create projects using online tools. 

     I feel that the role of the integration specialist is one in which I find very appealing.  I think there are so many online tools that can make learning exciting and engaging for students.  But, it is also difficult for teachers to find the time to research the tool that might be best for them to use for a particular project.  I think an integration specialist would have the knowledge of the curriculum and the school culture to choose tools that would be helpful and engaging to students and helpful to teachers so that they have access and someone to go to for support when they are having difficulties.

     I did not realize the great impact that professional development can have on a teacher and essentially her students.  Obviously, I believe in education, but so much is learned on the job that it was surprising to me that effective professional development can have a direct impact on student achievement. " The research supports great teachers help create great students. In fact, research shows that an inspiring and informed teacher is the most important school-related factor influencing student achievement, so it is critical to pay close attention to how we train and support both new and experienced educators." (Edutopia, 2008)  Therefore, what I have learned is that school districts need to ramp up the effectiveness of their professional development.  Many teachers in this class and in other articles that I have read have shared professional development horror stories.  In some of the professional development classes that I have attended the speaker gives so much background and so little practical ideas about what would be helpful.  Also, it has been unfortunate that it is sometimes assumed that no one knows anything about what is being taught or discussed.  When you are on a staff with others that have 10 or more years of experience I think we can skip some of the reasons why we should do something or at least state it and move on.  So I believe that the administrations need to consider the professional development that would be most useful.  Teachers want ideas of items that they can use now. Practical ways that they can use technology, for example in their classroom.

     I think it is important to teaching to be apprised of the tools available that make learning fun for students.  We are trying to impress on our students how important learning is and that it is life-long and so as teachers we must be willing to do the same.  By integrating technology we will be changing the culture of many classrooms.  Teachers must be willing to try new things and not always have the stage, but to be more of a facilitator of knowledge.  Students should become more independent learners where they can work on projects where they are able to collaborate and at times work independently.  Teaching in an art classroom has given me the opportunity to be a facilitator.  There are times when I give instructions or do direct teaching, but the majority of my class time is spent with students getting the materials that they need, working on a project and following a rubric, answering questions or therefore facilitate learning.

Edutopia team, (2008). Why is teacher development important?Because students deserve the best. Edutopia.

      http://www.edutopia.org/teacher-development-introduction