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Reflection on Fundamentals of Educational Technology
As a campus technology facilitator, I will be coordinating myriad requests and demands for technology, resources, knowledge and accountability. I anticipated this course would give me a basic understanding of some of the legal requirements and review some of the resources available to me. Until this course began I was unaware the state even had a long range technology plan. By reviewing the Texas Long Range Technology Plan and the technology TEKS, I understand how the state envisions technology working embedded in classroom curriculum and as a support tool."All learners engage in individualized, real-world learning experiences supported by ubiquitous access to modern digital tools; robust anywhere, anytime connectivity; and dynamic, diverse learning communities." (Texas Education Agency, 2006). It will be part of my job to educate staff members on copyright laws, another topic I was surprised to find that I did not know as much about as I had believed I did, and make suggestions for faculty to demonstrate legal and ethical use of resources. I feel more prepared to take on a campus leadership role after reviewing the downward trends in our campus STaR chart. Those results were surprising as more and more technology has been brought onto the campus, but the scores have been trending downward instead of upward. My first suggestion will be for each department to develop a wiki for common lesson planning. The course opened my eyes to some issues I had not considered such as the lack of ability in some of our staff to effectively use the tools presented to them and fulfilled the expectations I had.

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Another area that needs to be addressed at my campus and certainly on many others is no surprise. The area of cyber ethics has hardly been addressed other than stealing free downloads of music. Students do not have a clear understanding of not only when it is wrong to copy something from the Internet, but why it is wrong. "As computers become a larger part of the curriculum, educators everywhere are being asked to take a stand for cyber ethics, the right and wrong of computer and Internet use." (Kruger, 2003)======

I learned a technology facilitator can never think they have all the answers. At my school I am one of the most technologically literate teachers on campus, yet I have completed my personal STaR chart every year without giving a thought as to what it showed or meant to my campus. I thought I knew all about copyright being the Journalism teacher, but found issues I need to clarify. I discovered through the wiki assignment that I can motivate other teachers to discuss technology and its uses at our campus, a role I have not taken previously. I discovered several of our staff members are willing and anxious to improve technology use in their own classrooms and on a campus basis. This group will be a big help moving forward on our own campus as we will work together to share ideas and assist other teachers in incorporating technology in their lessons. I have taught ethics as part of using technology for years, but I am discovering there is still much work to do. I have always been fascinated by the technology itself and this course helped me expand my view to one beyond the door of my own classroom to what I can do to help my peers, campus and district move forward.

This course focused my attention on Standard TL-1.A.1 Identify and evaluate components needed for the continual growth of knowledge, skills, and understanding of concepts related to technology, and TF-I.B.1 Model appropriate strategies essential to continued growth and development of the understanding of technology operations and concepts. (Williamson & Redish, 2009). By reviewing STaR charts, the Texas Long Range Technology Plan and reading the assigned readings associated with this course, I have discovered a new way of looking at both students and faculty members that leave me wanting to share ideas and experiment in developing new methods to engage student learners.

Kruger, R. (2003). Discussing cyber ethics with students is critical. //Social Studies 94//(4) 188-189. Retrieved March 21, 2010 from EBSCOhost. Texas Education Agency. (2006). Texas Long Range Technology Plan. Retrieved March 3, 2010 from http://www.tea.state.tx.us/technology/etac Williamson, J & Redish, T. (2009). ISTE's Technology Facilitation and Leadership Standards. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education