Internship+Reflection+3

**Lamar** **University** **– M.Ed. in Educational Technology Leadership**

Part 1: Log
Date: ** Jan- Mar **** Total Internship hours at the start of the month: ** || 48  || TF-11 A TF-III A,C,D ||^   || TF-II A ||^  ||
 * ** Week ** || ** Functions ** || ** Description ** || ** Hrs ** ||
 * ** 1 ** || ** Week’s Activities ** || Participated in a book study over the book “Learning by Doing” || 8  ||
 * ^  || ** Standard/Indicator ** || TF-V A,C ||^   ||
 * ^  || ** Communication with Site Mentor ** || The entire Accountability and Learning Department including the Assistant Superintendent where involved in the book study and subsequent meetings. ||^   ||
 * ** 2 ** || ** Week’s Activities ** || Attended TCEA and TATN conference in Austion. || 8  ||
 * ^  || ** Standard/Indicator ** || TF-V A, B,C ||^   ||
 * ^  || ** Communication with Site Mentor ** || Debriefed with Instructional Technology Department after returning to district. ||^   ||
 * ** 3 ** || ** Week’s Activities ** || Researched and tested two different Student Laptop monitoring software. || 5  ||
 * ^  || ** Standard/Indicator ** || TF-VIII E ||^   ||
 * ^  || ** Communication with Site Mentor ** || Prepared a report for the Director of Technology with recommendations for purchase. ||^   ||
 * ** 4 ** || ** Week’s Activities ** || Created a brochure and a newsletter for the Instructional Technology Department. || 4  ||
 * ^  || ** Standard/Indicator ** || TF-I A
 * ^  || ** Communication with Site Mentor ** || Supervisor was impressed with final version requesting only cosmetic changes. ||^   ||
 * ** 5 ** || ** Week’s Activities ** || Developed Teacher proficiencies survey, and based on results created proficiencies levels and online courses to address deficiencies. || 15  ||
 * ^  || ** Standard/Indicator ** || TF-I A,B
 * ^  || ** Communication with Site Mentor ** || Many meetings were conducted to build consensus on the titles of levels, what will be included in the levels and how to mange the courses. ||^   ||
 * ** Hours worked this month: ** || 40  ||
 * ** Total Internship hours to date including this month: ** || 88  ||

Part 2: Reflection
The “Learning by Doing” book discusses the power of a PLC, which is a school model that this district strongly believes in. Core Subject Departments, their Department Chair and their Instructional Facilitator meet on a regular basis to plan; they use the model from the book to address Common Formative Assessments and what to do when students do not “get it”. As an Instructional Technology Facilitator I am not assigned to a core subject, I tend to go where I am needed, therefore I do not always get to attend these meetings. I believe that technology can help with the students who need remediation. So many simulations and interactive websites can capture student’s attention that I feel that I am a valuable resource that is sometimes overlooked.

The TCEA conference is always a valuable learning experience. It is great professional development as we get to collaborate and learn for the people who are doing the work. I am always grateful for all of the technology my districts allows the teachers and students to have and the conference fires me up get the districts culture moving.

=== One of the biggest complaints from teachers is the lack of ability to block the students from playing games when they are on their laptops. To address this problem, we visited several schools that use different monitoring software. We installed two different products in classrooms and monitored the results. After a month of testing, we made our recommendation to the Director of Technology. ===

Developing the Teacher Proficiencies levels has been the biggest challenge so far this year. We had to get our administration to understand and believe in the need and then to convince them to enforce the plan once it is developed. The survey was created and delivered, unfortunately very few teachers took the time to take it. Based on survey results and what we observe in trainings, we developed some local requirements. We are still in the process of putting it into an online format that everyone can agree on. This will be a long negotiating process.