Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing
These stages of development for teams, according to Hall (2008), are essential for team development. Teams must progress through the stages in order and should not be rushed. As I read the chapter, I thought of the changes in my own school team this year. Some people have left for various reasons. Our student population has grown tremendously and continues to grow, so we had to hire more teachers. This means we have some teachers who are brand new to virtual education, some who have gotten their feet wet, and others who are swimming along nicely. Our team seems to be in various stages of development; the stages are overlapping. This is because we know the strengths of some teachers, we are learning strengths of others, and some strengths are still undiscovered. We are in transition. It is an exciting place to be!
As for the Picciano (2011) text, there was discussion of using multimedia in the classroom. I can remember the old fashioned reel to reel movies! We thought it was neat to be able to watch a movie in class when I was little. By the time I was ready to graduate, we had a computer lab in our school. Now there are document cameras, digital microscopes, Promethean and Smart boards, not to mention DVD players and a few remaining VHS tape players. We can use streaming video and interactive learning sites. Students can research on the Internet. Should we use these? Yes! Most assuredly we should. However, we need to use them as they apply to our content area. Having seventh graders draw and label the parts of the plant and animal cells has been a favorite and effective activity of students. Should we abandon those types of activities since we have websites such as Cells Alive? NO! We have to pick and choose learning activities carefully so they maximize learning.
Hall, D. (2008). The technology director's guide to leadership. Washington D.C.: ISTE.
Picciano, A. G. (2011). Educational leadership and planning for technology. (5th ed.). New York, N.Y.: Pearson.
I feel that Hall took a healthy approach to leading teams. Working with other people is never easy especially when there is passion involved. Many teachers truly are passionate about their classrooms, beliefs, etc. and because of that passion, they bring a lot of good and sometimes bad baggage to the table. They also have personal experiences, emotions and thoughts that need to be respected but maintained appropriately. It is a true balancing act and enduring the process is both a blessing and a burden. I think he did a great job of preparing educational technologist to be empathetic leaders and be effective leaders simulataneously.
ReplyDeleteAfter having our discussion on Elluminate last night, I was thinking a lot about what Dr. Holder said. Sometimes we get so caught up in making technology be put to use rather than focusing on the method that is most effective for the delivery of the instruction. Why use PowerPoint if you can discuss it just as effectively? Why would a teacher have the students do busy work in the lab if there is a more traditional way that they could do the same lesson more effectively? I tried to always use technology in instruction via the Promethean Board, ActivExpressions, ActivSlate, and calculators. I think technology should be used, especially multi-media technology, but I still think that some traditional activities belong in the classroom. I feel like being practical, efficient and effective is the key to good instruction. I also believe that most of the time practical, efficient and effective instruction is usually aided by technology.
I appreciated the chapter on multimedia instrucitonal uses because I feel that our students are more engaged when there is multimedia integrated into a lesson. I started importing YouTube videos or TeacherTube videos last year into my flipchart because the students were more engaged when another teacher demonstrated the same concept that I would have. I believe that they felt it was a treat to see a video. I also appreciate the different ways that others explain math because it sometimes creates the connection the students need to grasp the concept.
Kimberly, how do you think there can be a balance between comfort level, accountability, creativity and effective instruction with technology in terms of evaluation? There are always going to be differing views as to what is effective and should be done, so how do you think principal’s could observe and evaluate fairly and what sort of documentation do you think needs to be submitted? How often do you think the evaluation should take place?
Great blog girl! Keep it going!
Tiffany, I have used YouTube videos to demonstrate science concepts in the brick and mortar classroom, too. They really seemed engaged by using the video clips. One I really liked was a demo of visible light using gummy bears. Students could see the colors being transmitted through the gummy bears in a way I could not demonstrate to them.
ReplyDeleteAs for teacher evaluation with respect to technology, I have not seen principals involved in this piece of the process. In our state, it is done every five years when certificates are renewed. Some districts require teachers take the yearly tchnology assessment online, too. The people I have seen involved in the technology evaluation process have been the media specialists and district level IT people. I, personally, resent being evaluated by someone who has never taught. I liked Dr. Holder's idea of having the techs teach for a day. That, at least, gives them a taste of what teachers go through in the classroom. I think the evaluation should not only include an assessment of teacher technology proficiency, but it should also allow for teachers to submit portfolios of their student projects and to demonstrate technology proficiency in the classroom. I think there are many ways to integrate technology, and teachers need to be able to show this in different ways. No one type of evaluation would cover all content areas in schools today. A math teacher may find different technologies beneficial from a history teacher, a music teacher, a dance teacher, or a PE teacher. We have to build evaluation tolls with high standards, yet allow them some flexibility.
Thanks for your questions & comments! You always keep me digging deeper!