Reflections of Technology Adventures

Recently, I have been made to do much reflection, self analysis and self assessments in order to better understand myself and the world which ticks round me in relation to educational leadership. To my surprise, I am now asked to do technology assessments to find current uses and knowledge of technology in schools. I find this quite enlightening. I am for assessments 100 percent. I have proven research based assessments in the classroom and am elated to do these assessments. They will eventually tell what my professional development should reflect to strengthen weak areas. My goal is to become computer literate, acquire new skills and knowledge in educational technology.

We are asked to do two technology assessments:
1) Technology Application Inventory
2) SETDA survey

The Technology Application Inventory deals with four main domains or sections. The domains are as follows: Foundations, Information Acquisition, Solving Problems and Communication.

The foundations domain deals with the general understanding of the functions of the computer. From the power the computer has to keyboarding skills is addressed. In my overall technology skills, I am generally weak. Weak areas include hardware, software, power of the computer and digital files. My strong areas include the keyboarding and copyrighting. I do agree with this assessment. It teaches all the specific areas that is needed to be a technologically literate educator in the twenty first century.

Information acquisition tells how to get the information on the Internet. Again, I am weak in the is area. The only strength is knowing the difference between a directory and a search engine.
This identifies various search engines. Sometimes, I often wonder how to find the information I need.

Solving Problems shows that I am strong in creating basic word documents and weak in all other areas of creating such as spreadsheets, graphic organizers, etc. I have to agree with these finding because I know my abilities.

Communication deals with how the work is presented in its design, videos and charts. There is no surprise that I am weak in these areas. I know this in my own work because I often get stuck when working because I don't know how to basically function in a literate manner.

I see that all the information acquired here in this assessment is correct and true. I would have to let this assessment guide me in professional developments to strengthen weak areas, acquire new skills and become technologically literate in educational technology.

SETDA survey
This particular survey asks questions concerning technology in the classroom and its effect on the teacher and student achievement. The results show that I do use technology to some extent in the classroom but there is much room for growth. Best practices is a great way to share ideas and collaborate with others. I do not have all the wonderful resources and training.

In these two assessments, I know that I must receive training in both the functions and knowledge and skills and knowing how to get resources, creating various types of documents and applying all what is learned in the classroom and leadership positions. The Technology Application Inventory deals with functions and skills of the computer while the SETDA deals with the teacher and principal in and out of the classroom. Thy both deal with making one personally and professionally computer literate in educational technology. These assessments would also be very effective for a principal to give the entire staff in order to guide staff development. This would dramatically improve computer literacy and work in the classroom.

Strengths and weaknesses in educational technology leadership As an educational leader the strengths and weaknesses almost go hand in hand. Strengths are a highly qualified technology specialist, equipment, teacher effectiveness, funding and help with integration and a support system to help teachers integrate the technology in the classroom. Weakness are the opposite of not having any equipment or little equipment, poor qualified teachers, little or no funding at all. A very strong weakness is having everything in place with no support system to help teachers integrate the technology in the classroom. Teachers have to feel comfortable and trained and supported to have the best possible scenario in the classroom.