Session 1-3 Ways to Focus Technology

Hello, I am Robert Fleck. Many of you know me, but perhaps there are a few that don't. I am currently a fourth grade teacher at Jackson Elementary School in Indio. I have been teaching for 7 years. I am currently working on year 8. I am very enthusiastic about the use of technology in the classroom. Hence, I am working on my Master's in Instructional Technology, which I'm sure most of you are too. I am almost to the end of my program, and I am looking forward to putting my new degree to use in communicating, promoting, and planning the use of technolgy in all classrooms and educational settings.

1) Using technolgy in terms of personal effectiveness

As a teacher, I try to implement technolology use in the classroom as much as time and resources will allow. I find technolgy to be a valuable tool that helps drive the curriculum in interesting and innovative new ways. I hope at the same time that I am using it in an effective manner so that my students will fully benefit from it. Currently, I am using computers for word processing in publishing the student's work, Powerpoint projects for my ELD students, teaching science lessons using computer and LCD projector. I also use computers as a reearch tool for myself when lesson planning, but also for the students in looking up information for projects. I also have a Smart Board in my room that I use regularly especially for math and language arts lessons.

2) Communicating to other the usefulness of technology

My other role at the school is that of technical support in that I am on the technology committee at my school, and I regualrly go to district meetings. I hope to increase my role in this position to be an asset to other teachers in helping them and guiding them in to the utilization of technology. This role also allows me to focus on communicating with staff members through staff meetings and staff development.

3) Supporting technology through planning, promoting, and encouraging the use of technolgy

This position also allows me to also available for technology support by encouraging and promoting technology to my staff. It is my hope that this will lead to more of a leadership role that will allow me to be a part of the decision making process at our school site with technology acquistion and implementation.

Learning Contract

It is my intention to complete all three projects for this class. I feel that I need to challenge myself if I am in fact to become a leader in the area of educational technolgy. I have had enough exposure to be able to communicate effectively the value of technology in education, and some of the issues that education faces with respect to benefits and barriers that technolgy brings with it. I will have my three areas of focus and timeline up within the next few days.

Activity Log-Session 1

This week I have:

* established a blog site.
* listened to Dr. Newberry's podcast
* worked on transcribing notes from the podcast.
* posted my first blog.
* posted comments to at least 3 or 4 people in the class.
* wrote down some tentative ideas for projects.

I look forward to any input in the sharing of ideas. Remember, we are in this together, so we might as well help each other.