Blogging for Principals

What if a principal could communicate with parents, encourage teachers, act as a learning role model for students, and keep a record of his or her ideas with one tool? They can with a blog. An administrator could use a blog as a professional diary, choosing which entries to post and which to archive. Information shared with parents, teachers or students could stimulate conversations that might never happen in person. As for the posts not published, this provides a journal of ideas or reflections that allow a principal to look back and evaluate their handling of different situations. Between information gathered from others' responses to the published blogs and that gleaned through reflection, an administrator is can develop a host of inquiries. Any of these inquiries could be the "wondering" that improves the education their school provides to students.

Action Research!

     Action research is a process requiring the input, analysis, reflection and presentation of the practitioners. The entire process takes place in the real-world setting of, in the case of education, the classroom, school building or larger organization within the district. Participants are the people who will ultimately implement the action determined to affect the changes in the desired outcome. The practitioner(s) poses a question or “wondering” about a specific need or problem. They then participate in the collection and analysis of data. Through collaboration, they derive a plan and then begin implementation. Reflection and continual evaluation then allows for course correction or affirmation. The process is a collaborative and allows the participants to hold a stake in the outcome of the project. By making the practitioner a stake-holder, they are more likely to affect the changes and produce the desired outcomes.   

     Technology and action research seem to go hand in hand. The use of educational technology requires a constant evaluation cycle. "Wonderings" are plentiful. How can we best use technology to raise math scores in a specific sub-group? How could the use of individual passwords help curb inappropriate use of technology on campus,  and what steps would be required to implement and maintain them? My current favorite question: What form(s) of technology, i.e. Twitter, Facebook, Wikis, blogs, or combination thereof, would best serve parental communication when added to our website? My goal would be a turn-key template to implement the most up-to-date communication tools a school, the parents and the community.

The End Results

     When I chose to take EDLD 5306 Concepts of Educational Technology, I did so hoping to refresh my technological skills. In order to complete my alternative certification in the late 1990’s, I worked as a technical support specialist for a large computer company in Austin. This opportunity allowed me to walk in to my first classroom with a great deal of technology experience. This has served me well. In the last few years, however, I have felt too far behind the curve. This course introduced me to technologies that seemed just out of my reach.  Since I started this course looking for information that I could use in the classroom, I can confidently say that both the course and I achieved the outcomes I had envisioned.

    

     The information gained from this course is still relevant to me. My ability to be a more relevant educator matters. Not to be too philosophical but, my students learn the most when they feel understood and significant. I do my best teaching when I am confident in my subject matter and presentation. Therefore, I feel understood and significant. This technological transition we are living through has given many educators cause to be insecure, if not frightened. The end result is not the best environment for teaching and learning to take place. By learning and modeling the technology from this course, I am more relevant in the classroom. 

     Creating the blog and wiki was great. My only disappointment is the aesthetics. Because of the quick pace of the course and a lack of time, I was unable to make these two sites look good. Communication is the key to everything we do. As a teacher/presenter, what I produce communicates to my students as much as what I say. In the not too distant future, I hope to spend time making these two sites pleasant to look at and easy to follow. Web sites require a certain flow, just as lessons do. If I can maneuver easily through a web site, I can glean and retain much more information than if I have to struggle. I look forward to creating welcoming spaces for others to visit. In the future, I need to budget more time for the aesthetics.

For the most part, I was successful in completing the course assignments. During weeks one through three, I was doing quite well. The weekend the fourth assignment was due, I was in a car accident. The combination of slight and nagging injuries and the logistical frustration of dealing with three insurance companies threw me off my stride.  For some reason, both times I worked on the week four assignment, I was unable to complete the technology report.  I have no explanation. Each time I looked at that part of the assignment, I simply could not think of a starting point. Perhaps I should have started that assignment at the end and worked to the beginning. At any rate, week four was a denouement.

     Educational Technology 5306 pointed out several important things for me. The most important of these is: I truly enjoy technology and its possibilities. Because of the vast possibilities, I also feel overwhelmed and discouraged at times. Technology has and will provide so much information, and I am afraid I will miss something. According to a recent report in Wired Magazine, there are several new psychological disorders attributed to being an information junkie. The way I see it – they probably have an app for that. In the meanwhile, when I talk with others about what I am learning, I am simply excited. The only other thing that causes this sort of reaction for me is music.

     In order to develop my leadership skills, I am focusing more on this enthusiasm. I want others to see how we can help students with technology.  This course met my expectations and I look forward to showing (leading) my campus toward a more technologically integrated educational experience.