June+Field+Based+Activities+Reflections


 * Reflections on June's Activities:**

In an effort to make all teachers more informed about the TF/TL Standards, I created a Wiki that contains a page for each Standard of the TL/TF Standards. On each page there is a list of links, which will serve as resources for facilitators, leaders, and teachers too. The links include e-books, reports, newsletters, tutorials, and websites that are relevant to each standard. This will be helpful for educators at all levels (TF/TL and teachers) since technology specialists can reference all pages for resources on meeting the standards, while teachers will rely most heavily on a limited number of pages on the wiki. For example, the page on Standard II will be very helpful to teachers since all the links are related to planning and designing learning environments and experiences. Another important page on the Wiki will be the page that contains copyright laws and district policies related to TF/TL-VI.A., which states, "Model and teach legal and ethical practice related to technology use" (p.136). Since several resources, including lessons to share with the students, on copyright, fair use policy, and district AUP policies will be referenced on this page of the professional development Wiki, this standard is clearly demonstrated by this activity. This page will serve as a quick reference for teachers to understand key points on social, ethical, legal, and human issues of technology. Many times teachers are pressed for time and do not have time to locate this information when the need arises. The fact that it will be easily accessible and clearly explained will be of great assistance to educators in making certain that they are in compliance with this standard of technology.

In order to make teachers aware of this resource, I will share this Wiki page with the teachers in my department and point out the important links and key concepts on the page. The links to student activities will be discussed and explained during the meeting. These links provide strong resources and tools to educate students, as well as teachers, on legal and ethical practices related to technology use. In addition, there will be links to promote safe and healthy use of technology resources. The inclusion of links that address safe and healthy use of technology resources meets TF/TL-VI.D. With the increase in social networking, cyber bullying, and many other social and ethical issue of technology integration, this will be an important component of this page.

Finally, the last activity I participated in to meet the field based requirements for June involved a meeting with the reading department teachers to discuss budgeting and purchase suggestions for technology tools. We had all agreed that the purchase of a digital video camera was a necessity in order to complete our commitment to the department wide implementation of a technology enhanced project for next year. Once I presented the findings and costs discovered through my research, the department chair quickly informed us that we did not have the funds. As a result, she suggested that I discuss other options with the principal. She indicated that there were more appropriate budgets that could accommodate technology needs, as opposed to taking the money from the reading department budget. Since there was no money left, there was no need to attempt persuasion. Instead, we agreed that I would address this need with the principal, the technology facilitator, or pursue grant writing opportunities that I have in future plans. The discussion of our budget and the technology purchase suggestions are activities that are related to TF/TL-VII.B. According to this standard, we must "Follow procedures and guidelines used in planning and purchasing technology resources" (p. 166).


 * References:

Williamson, J. & Redish, T. (2009). //Technology facilitation and leadership standards: What every K-12 leader should know and be able to do.// Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education. **