What does it take to be a great leader?
This question has certainly been asked by almost any individual who wishes to make a difference in the world, a change for the betterment of humanity. This particular chapter in the book offers a nice and concise summary and conclusion to the question posed above, what does a great leader look like? The book offers many practical suggestions, including taking advantage of resources, developing reliable team members, creating a vision and goal, and a host of other aspects to being a leader. The book kinda has a metanarrative concerning a man name Max who tries to learn wisdom and knowledge from a few professors he meets along the way to becoming a great leader. The book provides many features or characteristics of leadership, however, I have a particular rebuttal about the whole idea of an emerging leader: an intangible characteristic.
In the 2000 National Football League (NFL), a young, slow, physically underwhelming stature by the name of Tom Brady was picked 199th overall in the draft that Spring. He played a few years out of Michigan, but overall, he really did not show any real signs of potential for NFL success. That season, the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots left the game with an injury, thus creating a path for Tom Brady to play. Tom's first NFL experience was in the 4th quarter of a playoff game, where he drove his team down the field to win the game. Since then, he was become a great leader on his team. He has won 2 NFL MVP awards (which means he was the best player in the league for two different NFL seasons). He has won three Super Bowls (most players don't even win one). He is a future Hall of Fame Quarterback, who had 198 people taken in front of him in the draft over ten years ago. Tom Brady, in my humble but correct opinion, has the intangible aspect to leadership that cannot be measured. Often times, you don't know if your leader has that intangible element until after the fact (success or failure, that is).
These are my thoughts about leadership, and I did glean much helpful and practical information from this book (I also did the first five chapters of this book in my GEM project).
Once again, I really enjoyed your class, Dr. Krug. Keep up the good work!
Andrew Fultz
P.S. Boom.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
BLOG (Day 9) - Web 2.0 Making the Web Work for You (Unit A)
Research 2.0
The dynamic shift on the information highway has gone through really three phases: the static and kinda trustworthy, the not so trustworthy, and the reliability. As the chapter in this book discusses, the first phase emerged with the inception of the Internet. Not many people were adding information to websites, with the exception of the tech savy experts. With only a certain, fixed number of people adding to the information highway really makes people who read the material trust it. I do recall, however, at this first stage people were still kinda hesitate to trust the material. They would often respond, "I need to see it in a book." So even with the limited number of people who could add information to the World Wide Web, people still did not fully buy into the use of the Internet for research purposes. The next phase, which actually transitions into the web 2.0 technology, really caused people to distrust almost all research based (scholarly) material. People really needed to cite it in a printed publication. Since almost anybody could add information to the Web (specifically targeting the popular information site, "Wikipedia"), you could easily find misinformation. In fact, this stage or phrase has done so much damage that the third phrase still really has limited impact because people still hold such low regard for many information sites. The third phase involves reliable information on the Web because sites like Wikipedia have really reformed many of their ways to add information. Also, many educational institutions have really joined the game with adding reliable information to the Internet.This has really ushered in the third stage of Internet research.
The chapter in the book discusses how to judge a site's validity. I really enjoyed this portion of the reading because so often, especially in college, people just can't seem to find a source which they can feel confident to cite in a research paper. If you see a .edu on the website, that definitely helps the validity of the website. A few other things to look for in a credible source are motives, confirmed author, and contact information. The book really offers much help for a beginning user in determining the crediblity of the website.
I really enjoyed this book because it is straightforward and offers many practical suggestions to any user of the Internet, especially for those looking to do serious research about a host of possible topics.
Boom.
The dynamic shift on the information highway has gone through really three phases: the static and kinda trustworthy, the not so trustworthy, and the reliability. As the chapter in this book discusses, the first phase emerged with the inception of the Internet. Not many people were adding information to websites, with the exception of the tech savy experts. With only a certain, fixed number of people adding to the information highway really makes people who read the material trust it. I do recall, however, at this first stage people were still kinda hesitate to trust the material. They would often respond, "I need to see it in a book." So even with the limited number of people who could add information to the World Wide Web, people still did not fully buy into the use of the Internet for research purposes. The next phase, which actually transitions into the web 2.0 technology, really caused people to distrust almost all research based (scholarly) material. People really needed to cite it in a printed publication. Since almost anybody could add information to the Web (specifically targeting the popular information site, "Wikipedia"), you could easily find misinformation. In fact, this stage or phrase has done so much damage that the third phrase still really has limited impact because people still hold such low regard for many information sites. The third phase involves reliable information on the Web because sites like Wikipedia have really reformed many of their ways to add information. Also, many educational institutions have really joined the game with adding reliable information to the Internet.This has really ushered in the third stage of Internet research.
The chapter in the book discusses how to judge a site's validity. I really enjoyed this portion of the reading because so often, especially in college, people just can't seem to find a source which they can feel confident to cite in a research paper. If you see a .edu on the website, that definitely helps the validity of the website. A few other things to look for in a credible source are motives, confirmed author, and contact information. The book really offers much help for a beginning user in determining the crediblity of the website.
I really enjoyed this book because it is straightforward and offers many practical suggestions to any user of the Internet, especially for those looking to do serious research about a host of possible topics.
Boom.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
BLOG (Day 8) - Wikis for School Leaders (Chapter 3)
Why Use a Wiki?
People are so up-tight about safety, control, and caution as people approach Web 2.0 technology. So often, long-time technology users still feel a little uncomfortable with adding information themselves to the world wide web. The emerging technology of wiki's, however, greatly conflicts with this view of strict As the book states, a paradigm shift is occurring through name recognition and use in organizations because of its simple design and functions. Probably the best reason that the wiki technology is becoming increasingly popular is because it is easy to use. Also, for most of the wiki's available, it is cheap or free (which is always a good thing!).
Wiki technology really helps improve communication among almost any professional who usually does not see each other face-to-face on a daily basis. The rest of the chapter really discusses specific scenarios where wiki technology has improved communication, collaboration, and efficiency during a busy day. One aspect to this chapter which really made me laugh was it discussing "Google Wave." Through my laughter, I realized technology authors really cannot win with a book because technology advances so quickly that they cannot stick to traditional forms of communication (like a book!). Technology writers really need to blog or use a wiki themselves to get across their ideas. Quite an ironic thought about a book teaching people about using a wiki.
I have personally used and enjoyed wiki's before because it really does seem like the future of communication. I will have a class wiki in my classroom so parents can easily and quickly view what is going on in the classroom. This will also help parents keep up with technology at almost the same pace as their children. I know at The King's Academy, my 7th grade students would be able to handle a wiki much more than handling the use of e-mail. It helps the user be able to see exactly how it looks as soon as they post to the web.
These are just a few of my thoughts about the chapter from "Wikis for School Leaders."
Boom.
People are so up-tight about safety, control, and caution as people approach Web 2.0 technology. So often, long-time technology users still feel a little uncomfortable with adding information themselves to the world wide web. The emerging technology of wiki's, however, greatly conflicts with this view of strict As the book states, a paradigm shift is occurring through name recognition and use in organizations because of its simple design and functions. Probably the best reason that the wiki technology is becoming increasingly popular is because it is easy to use. Also, for most of the wiki's available, it is cheap or free (which is always a good thing!).
Wiki technology really helps improve communication among almost any professional who usually does not see each other face-to-face on a daily basis. The rest of the chapter really discusses specific scenarios where wiki technology has improved communication, collaboration, and efficiency during a busy day. One aspect to this chapter which really made me laugh was it discussing "Google Wave." Through my laughter, I realized technology authors really cannot win with a book because technology advances so quickly that they cannot stick to traditional forms of communication (like a book!). Technology writers really need to blog or use a wiki themselves to get across their ideas. Quite an ironic thought about a book teaching people about using a wiki.
I have personally used and enjoyed wiki's before because it really does seem like the future of communication. I will have a class wiki in my classroom so parents can easily and quickly view what is going on in the classroom. This will also help parents keep up with technology at almost the same pace as their children. I know at The King's Academy, my 7th grade students would be able to handle a wiki much more than handling the use of e-mail. It helps the user be able to see exactly how it looks as soon as they post to the web.
These are just a few of my thoughts about the chapter from "Wikis for School Leaders."
Boom.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
BLOG (Day 7) - Teaching with Wikis, Blogs, Podcasts & More (Chapter 4)
In this chapter by Kathleen Fitzgibbon, the author discusses the importance of presentation software. This technology refers to the ability to create slides that are projected onto a screen through a document camera or computer connected to an LCD projector. Since The King's Academy has this technology in almost all of their classes, I have personally used this quite often in many different types of lessons. Slides are especially effective in a social studies setting because I enjoy showing pictures of various artifacts. I don't like putting information on slides because I can just explain the information to them while they look at a picture. I know many good lessons are already available online, however, I sometimes don't like using those because it doesn't gel as well with my cognitive ability.
Some types of presentation software which I use include Microsoft PowerPoint, Prezi, Jeopardy Labs, Youtube, and various other technologies that can be shown in class. I have done a PowerPoint showing important images from Mesoamerica, which ended rather well by keeping the class engaged and intrigued. Prezi is another form to present information to a class in a non-linear option. Students often enjoy this because slides go up/down and slides can be very far apart. Of course, showing a short video or playing a review game is really helpful for students.
This type of technology is almost as basic as e-mail or search engines.
Boom.
Some types of presentation software which I use include Microsoft PowerPoint, Prezi, Jeopardy Labs, Youtube, and various other technologies that can be shown in class. I have done a PowerPoint showing important images from Mesoamerica, which ended rather well by keeping the class engaged and intrigued. Prezi is another form to present information to a class in a non-linear option. Students often enjoy this because slides go up/down and slides can be very far apart. Of course, showing a short video or playing a review game is really helpful for students.
This type of technology is almost as basic as e-mail or search engines.
Boom.
Monday, October 24, 2011
BLOG (Day 6) - Teaching With Wikis, Blogs, Podcasts & More (Chapter 1)
Often times in educational practice, teachers, administrators, and legislators think that technology can only effectively be used in the upper school classroom environment. With this current book, however, the author advocates that teachers can use technological devices and tools even in the elementary grades. The types of technological tools include communication, assessment, and interactive. Elementary school aged children need technology in the classroom because they have access to technology at home, church, and other locations outside of the educational institution.
Chapter one in the current textbook discusses the basics for technology use. These include e-mail and search engines. The second part of the chapter makes a transition to discuss the superiority of e-mail compared with the United States Postal Service. In fact, the USPS is actually losing quite a bit of money annually due to its inability to change and innovate itself with the current climate of technological advances. The chapter, however, kept it really simple and how to use basic technologies for classroom use. It is almost a book for dummies (or those who do not use technology often). If teachers do not use e-mail or search engines, than they really are behind in terms of keeping up with best practices. These teachers certainly do not meet standards, and I would even say they should be fired because they are clearly not modeling a love for learning (which includes change) to their students and parents.
E-mail and search engines really do enhance the classroom experience because it improves the speed of communication and it allows a teacher to very quickly look-up information. E-mail allows the teacher to quickly and efficiently communicate with parents, other teachers, coaches, and administrators. I know at The King's Academy, they use e-mail for almost everything. They even send out the daily announcements through the use of e-mail. My mentor teacher receives literally about thirty to forty e-mail messages per day (and sometimes more!). I can see the drawback to e-mail because teachers might receive so many messages throughout the day. With that understanding, however, teachers must put on their big-boy or big-girl pants, realize that the day will be busy and get over it. Search engines are really good for looking up information quickly. I also use Google Images quite often because it is great way to create a PowerPoint presentation filled with pictures about what we are studying in history.
In conclusion, old-fashioned elementary teachers need to get up on the game and use technology. They have no excuse to not use technology, and if they still refuse to use technology in the classroom, then it is time for them to retire. This blog post relates to the standards which teachers must meet in order to have a success evaluation. The lesson plan book (the current book) is certainly a gem for most beginning users of technological devices (or they would call it "technological terror," playing off of a famous phrase from Star Wars in 1977).
Boom.
Chapter one in the current textbook discusses the basics for technology use. These include e-mail and search engines. The second part of the chapter makes a transition to discuss the superiority of e-mail compared with the United States Postal Service. In fact, the USPS is actually losing quite a bit of money annually due to its inability to change and innovate itself with the current climate of technological advances. The chapter, however, kept it really simple and how to use basic technologies for classroom use. It is almost a book for dummies (or those who do not use technology often). If teachers do not use e-mail or search engines, than they really are behind in terms of keeping up with best practices. These teachers certainly do not meet standards, and I would even say they should be fired because they are clearly not modeling a love for learning (which includes change) to their students and parents.
E-mail and search engines really do enhance the classroom experience because it improves the speed of communication and it allows a teacher to very quickly look-up information. E-mail allows the teacher to quickly and efficiently communicate with parents, other teachers, coaches, and administrators. I know at The King's Academy, they use e-mail for almost everything. They even send out the daily announcements through the use of e-mail. My mentor teacher receives literally about thirty to forty e-mail messages per day (and sometimes more!). I can see the drawback to e-mail because teachers might receive so many messages throughout the day. With that understanding, however, teachers must put on their big-boy or big-girl pants, realize that the day will be busy and get over it. Search engines are really good for looking up information quickly. I also use Google Images quite often because it is great way to create a PowerPoint presentation filled with pictures about what we are studying in history.
In conclusion, old-fashioned elementary teachers need to get up on the game and use technology. They have no excuse to not use technology, and if they still refuse to use technology in the classroom, then it is time for them to retire. This blog post relates to the standards which teachers must meet in order to have a success evaluation. The lesson plan book (the current book) is certainly a gem for most beginning users of technological devices (or they would call it "technological terror," playing off of a famous phrase from Star Wars in 1977).
Boom.
Friday, October 21, 2011
BLOG (Day 5) - A conversation with Adam H. (CAK)
10-21-11
He does not have a PowerPoint presentation. He attends Fellowship Church, has a baby, and has been a technology director for about five years.
Leadership creates and guides a vision for implementating technology. This plans for long-term use in the classroom. Spending a lot of money on technology but does not have training really does not mean anything. The long-term process is huge for being a leader. What do you want your teachers graduating knowing, what type of technology skills. How does that vision fit into the mission of the school? Keep in mind that technology is to support. It isn't suppose to mainly be shiny, it needs to be supportive, something easy to use. Every decision you make will affect every other department in the school.
Strategic Plan - long term vision in how this will go. Do not be specific unless you know for sure. You need to constantly upgrade for technology. Going to conferences really helps with a plan.
For the plan: what do you need to fulfill that plan. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) means what will it all take over the lifespan of the project. 30% of the total cost is just the hardware itself. Other 70% includes shipping, support, maintenance, replacing, and a host of other costs.
Staffing is very important with technology. Most teachers are not tech savy, especially the older teachers seem to have more difficulty using the newer technologies. If teachers are not using technology, then you spent on the money on technology to use pencil and paper.
Budgeting is like nailing jello to a wall.
July 1st to June 30th. Most equipment to buy he has to plan a year out knowing it will change. That is a very difficult job. One option is to get grants, title funds, and gifts from businesses and families.
Set aside funds to research new technologies, like an iPad. Set aside funds to do infastructure. If you don't have a solid foundation with technology, then it will not run well.
Procurement: will you buy new equipment or referbised equipment. New tends to last about three years without any major issues. Will you get a warranty on the equipment? It is more cost effective to have a warranty instead of hiring people. Vendor is a good way to buy lots of equipment. If you are doing installation, it is easier if you are building a building than trying to make an already established building wireless or something.
The end-user training is crucial. One training is not enough. Do an initial training, let them work with it for two weeks, then do another training. Once a teacher does not get the support they need, then the teacher will quickly abandon the issue.
It is a good idea to have spare parts.
Policy determines how teachers, parents, and outside user groups so they have guidelines. If something happens, then you have a legal document to protect yourself.
CAK is doing a 1-1 laptop for their high school. The only catch is that they can bring whatever they have because if they are only searching on the web, a specific device does not matter. Even a netbook would do.
Q&A time.
He wishes he had more support and input from parents. He makes a lot of assumptions. CAK is using Google Apps (gmail, sites, calendar, etc.). You're not going to please everyone.
Boom.
He was very insightful. Spending time in in-service is a great idea for training.
He does not have a PowerPoint presentation. He attends Fellowship Church, has a baby, and has been a technology director for about five years.
Leadership creates and guides a vision for implementating technology. This plans for long-term use in the classroom. Spending a lot of money on technology but does not have training really does not mean anything. The long-term process is huge for being a leader. What do you want your teachers graduating knowing, what type of technology skills. How does that vision fit into the mission of the school? Keep in mind that technology is to support. It isn't suppose to mainly be shiny, it needs to be supportive, something easy to use. Every decision you make will affect every other department in the school.
Strategic Plan - long term vision in how this will go. Do not be specific unless you know for sure. You need to constantly upgrade for technology. Going to conferences really helps with a plan.
For the plan: what do you need to fulfill that plan. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) means what will it all take over the lifespan of the project. 30% of the total cost is just the hardware itself. Other 70% includes shipping, support, maintenance, replacing, and a host of other costs.
Staffing is very important with technology. Most teachers are not tech savy, especially the older teachers seem to have more difficulty using the newer technologies. If teachers are not using technology, then you spent on the money on technology to use pencil and paper.
Budgeting is like nailing jello to a wall.
July 1st to June 30th. Most equipment to buy he has to plan a year out knowing it will change. That is a very difficult job. One option is to get grants, title funds, and gifts from businesses and families.
Set aside funds to research new technologies, like an iPad. Set aside funds to do infastructure. If you don't have a solid foundation with technology, then it will not run well.
Procurement: will you buy new equipment or referbised equipment. New tends to last about three years without any major issues. Will you get a warranty on the equipment? It is more cost effective to have a warranty instead of hiring people. Vendor is a good way to buy lots of equipment. If you are doing installation, it is easier if you are building a building than trying to make an already established building wireless or something.
The end-user training is crucial. One training is not enough. Do an initial training, let them work with it for two weeks, then do another training. Once a teacher does not get the support they need, then the teacher will quickly abandon the issue.
It is a good idea to have spare parts.
Policy determines how teachers, parents, and outside user groups so they have guidelines. If something happens, then you have a legal document to protect yourself.
CAK is doing a 1-1 laptop for their high school. The only catch is that they can bring whatever they have because if they are only searching on the web, a specific device does not matter. Even a netbook would do.
Q&A time.
He wishes he had more support and input from parents. He makes a lot of assumptions. CAK is using Google Apps (gmail, sites, calendar, etc.). You're not going to please everyone.
Boom.
He was very insightful. Spending time in in-service is a great idea for training.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
BLOG - A Conversation with Polly Brake, GCA Technology Coordinator
A professional coming to speak with graduate students about professional development. It is important to continually grow and learn as a teacher.
She is an ex-marine, which she joined the military to get involved with technology. She only recently, as in past 15 years, entered in educational technology. Being a technology coordinator really makes a difference for the school and the students therein. I believe it is important to note that she has a background in technology and not necessarily education.
She wanted to begin, at first, an after-school computer camp. Now she likes to design and create all policies relating to technology for students and staff. It is important to not start form scratch. The policy led to the integration of technology in 2009. This is when she first began working with teachers. She was also told that her technology classes were boring, so it had to develop her instruction. It is important to network with other teachers.
SMART boards really helped with students enjoying technology class. Promethean boards were recently installed, but she had to step-back and had to teach the teachers how to use this type of technology. You have to learn it quickly so you could teach it. The teachers needed hands-on tasks in order to grasp the material. Also, as a technology coordinator, it is your job to research new developments, like a Mimio, which is much cheaper. It also requires for training for teachers. She had to begin offering night classes to give professional training. This requires preparation and a willingness from principals and administrators on board to take the lead.
Most of the teachers are older and are technology immigrants. This requires being dedicated to teaching teachers. They sometimes act like the students they teach. The Q&A has a black screen.
Teachers need to have the willingness to learn; it is ironic because teachers must model a love for learning!
What happens when a teacher is not willing to change?
Seminars, conferences, and webinars are huge for technology coordinators! Wal-mart is willing to give 25$ to buy school supplies each month!
GCA would still say they are behind! They are trying to work on it!
Always be prepared when stuff goes awry.
gcatechnologyblog.edu/blogs.org
youtube.com/teachers This kinda cleans up advertisements and anything bad so teachers can just show the video.
Richard Byrne (Free Technology for Teachers) (freetech4teachers.com)
Professional Company (Powertolearn.com)
Google is a great place to answers which you do not have. Googlizer? I have never heard that term before, you learn something new everyday.
The head of the school is the one who should create a vision for how to use the technology tools to enhance the educational experience.
GCA is now looking for using iPads in the classroom. They know have 12 iPads in the library. The school and other schools are being challenged to innovate quickly.
Be prepared!!!
Do you believe, in general, technology is worth the investment? This is interesting, especially considering a Christian school making a whole lot of advances in technology. Coming from a different Christian school where technology is not prevalent. Three areas where she has received funds: parents, workshops, and TETA. The 1st and 5th of the month is a great time for the 25$ a month.
A willingness to help a teacher is huge.
I know this blog post seems sporadic, but it does contain several gems throughout the "rough."
Boom.
She is an ex-marine, which she joined the military to get involved with technology. She only recently, as in past 15 years, entered in educational technology. Being a technology coordinator really makes a difference for the school and the students therein. I believe it is important to note that she has a background in technology and not necessarily education.
She wanted to begin, at first, an after-school computer camp. Now she likes to design and create all policies relating to technology for students and staff. It is important to not start form scratch. The policy led to the integration of technology in 2009. This is when she first began working with teachers. She was also told that her technology classes were boring, so it had to develop her instruction. It is important to network with other teachers.
SMART boards really helped with students enjoying technology class. Promethean boards were recently installed, but she had to step-back and had to teach the teachers how to use this type of technology. You have to learn it quickly so you could teach it. The teachers needed hands-on tasks in order to grasp the material. Also, as a technology coordinator, it is your job to research new developments, like a Mimio, which is much cheaper. It also requires for training for teachers. She had to begin offering night classes to give professional training. This requires preparation and a willingness from principals and administrators on board to take the lead.
Most of the teachers are older and are technology immigrants. This requires being dedicated to teaching teachers. They sometimes act like the students they teach. The Q&A has a black screen.
Teachers need to have the willingness to learn; it is ironic because teachers must model a love for learning!
What happens when a teacher is not willing to change?
Seminars, conferences, and webinars are huge for technology coordinators! Wal-mart is willing to give 25$ to buy school supplies each month!
GCA would still say they are behind! They are trying to work on it!
Always be prepared when stuff goes awry.
gcatechnologyblog.edu/blogs.org
youtube.com/teachers This kinda cleans up advertisements and anything bad so teachers can just show the video.
Richard Byrne (Free Technology for Teachers) (freetech4teachers.com)
Professional Company (Powertolearn.com)
Google is a great place to answers which you do not have. Googlizer? I have never heard that term before, you learn something new everyday.
The head of the school is the one who should create a vision for how to use the technology tools to enhance the educational experience.
GCA is now looking for using iPads in the classroom. They know have 12 iPads in the library. The school and other schools are being challenged to innovate quickly.
Be prepared!!!
Do you believe, in general, technology is worth the investment? This is interesting, especially considering a Christian school making a whole lot of advances in technology. Coming from a different Christian school where technology is not prevalent. Three areas where she has received funds: parents, workshops, and TETA. The 1st and 5th of the month is a great time for the 25$ a month.
A willingness to help a teacher is huge.
I know this blog post seems sporadic, but it does contain several gems throughout the "rough."
Boom.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)