Karen Dockery

Baule Reflection

EDIT 6320

 

1.       How do you envision a technology plan centered on curriculum needs will impact your school?

I believe a technology plan centered on curriculum needs would provide positive direction for my school, or ANY school.  If the technology plan meets the needs of a curriculum map, it would help improve all areas of student learning.  Instructional technology promotes self-directed learning which helps students comprehend and retain knowledge and skills.  Teachers must not only provide instructions on how to use technology, but also integrate technology into their coursework. 

 

A good technology plan focused on curriculum needs could affect what teaching styles would be used in the classrooms.  Many teachers have a fear of technology and a good plan centered on curriculum needs could change teachers’ current views of technology.  Baule suggests including teachers and students in the technology planning process.  I believe that if teachers feel like they have input and are truly being heard, then they will definitely use equipment/programs more in their classes.

 

Also, a technology plan that is truly aware of what is being taught and how it is being taught would mean less money would be wasted on software that is rarely used.

 

2.  How would a technology plan based on Baule’s suggestions differ from the technology plan you school currently has?

My school, Jack P. Nix Primary, does not have a plan of its own, but the technology department for White County does have a 3 year plan for all of the 6 schools in the county.  The plan is similar to Baule’s design in that it provides a vision, goals with action plans and costs for each, staff development plans, and evaluation plans. I feel like the action plans need to provide a more specific timeline of implementation when possible. 

 

Two of the school system’s initiatives listed under their mission statement are: 1) Technology training for teachers, 2) Technology integration training.  I feel like we are offered a fair amount of technology training on programs/software.  Usually, one afternoon a week is designated for some kind of technology instruction.  However, if you are unable to attend or unable to really sit down and “play” with it for a while, this instruction is usually not enough.  I feel like we are even more lacking in technology integration training.  It would be nice if we were supplied with various projects that other teachers have implemented and explanations as to how they were carried out (Gloria Anderson).  Chapter 6 in Baule’s book offered many suggested ways of supplying staff development, although I do not agree with evening and weekend training times.

 

Although there are many of Baule’s ideas incorporated in our school system’s plan, we differ in that we are still unfortunate not to have a full-time technology specialist at our school.  Right now, one is assigned to our school for 2 days a week.  I am praying that if/when I become a LMS in this county we will have increased the number of technology support personel.

 

 

  1.  How would you change Baule’s design to make it more useable for your school?

Something that I believe would be important is to make sure everyone is clear from the beginning as to why a technology plan is even necessary.  Before the planning process even begins, a clear initial communication of the plan needs to be articulated.  We have missed this clear communication at my school concerning expectations on developing units for the new GPS.  Therefore, everyone is confused as to what exactly they’re suppose to be doing, and so, believe it is a waste of their time.

 

I agree with others that think Baule’s aggressive purchasing plan would be difficult for many public schools because of limited technology budgets.  Baule’s is a plan where limited money really isn’t a problem.  However, I do think that many of the ideas in Baule’s design could be adaptable to any local system.

 

  1. Discuss how knowing how individual teachers use technology within their curriculum is vital to a school’s technology plan.

I think for any technology plan to work, knowing what the individual teachers are doing is a MUST.  Then the appropriate amount of resources and types of resources can be obtained and the necessary training can be given.  There are distinctly different teaching styles being used in classrooms, and those different styles definitely affect the use of technology.  They will have different needs in terms of hardware, software, etc.  Also, knowing which teachers are more comfortable and which are less comfortable using technology will help determine where more support is needed.  Technology money can be more effectively spent by knowing what the teachers are doing now and finding out what they could do with additional technology.  This knowledge can help the planning committee determine the general needs of the school, as well as the special needs of certain teachers.

 

  1. Discuss how Baule’s suggestions compare with the State’s planning ideas.

Baule’s suggestions and the State’s plans were similar in that they both recognize the importance of integrating technology into the class not only by teachers, but also by students; and they both suggest the need to involve students, parents, educators, and the community in developing the technology plan.  However, the state seems to focus more on teachers/students knowing how to use technology (proficiency), while Baule is more focused on how effectively technology is being used to improve our teaching/learning (enrichment).  Also, the state uses the LoTI method to monitor technology integration, whereas, Baule offers other alternatives to monitor how teachers use technology.