Week+5+Reflections+(Nov.+23)

This week's assignment was very useful since we could review other student technology needs assessments. It not only allowed you to find mistakes and get constructive feedback but it also provided an opportunity to get ideas for others. I also realized how thorough and detailed our survey was after seeing others.

The video this week about Digital Teachers was really inspirational. It was very accurate how it illustrates that teachers today have more resources and opportunities to impact their teaching than ever before. It's an exciting time to be a teacher and all of these technical tools just server to make us better at what we do. I would like to use it at our district next professional development day as a starter to our day. The link to the video is []

I think the other RULH teachers will agree that it would be a great way to start our inservice. As part of our CCIP (Comprehensive Continuous Improvement Plan), we are covering topics that include assessment, peer coaching, and the evaluation of skill deficit software. It is very appropriate.

I especially thought the article about 21st Century Students was very informative. It had great ideas that were very practical and descriptive. The six core elements outlined are key to help schools achieve this. One of the graduate articles provides useful tips for educators to successfully integrate 21 century learning/skills into the classroom:
 * 1) **Communicate.** Open and consistent communication is key when attempting to create large-scale change. The more your team feels involved in the process, the more they will buy in and the more smoothly things will operate.
 * 2) **Understand the Change Process.** Don’t just go into the project without really knowing what to expect. The more educated you are about the change process, the fewer surprises you will have as you actually put new procedures in place.
 * 3) **Recognize Barriers to Change.** Again, educating yourself can be your biggest ally in this process. If you know the common barriers and responses to change, you will be more prepared to “coach” your team through the process. Arming yourself with information in advance will make your job easier in the long run.
 * 4) **Set Goals.** Setting clear goals that are timely and measurable will help you navigate your course with ease. Goals help us organize our action and move forward to the results sought. Further, when everyone knows and agrees on the goals, the team can move forward with more direct focus.
 * 5) **Work as a Team.** The whole is greater than…well you know the rest. Working as a team can make the difference between sinking and staying afloat. Effective teams communicate, trust, support and inspire one another to the end goal. No matter where you are in this process, it’s not too late to enhance your team building efforts. Creating a cohesive team will be your greatest asset not only in building technology into your school, but in everything that you do together as a school community.
 * 6) **Create Accountability.** Accountability helps people stay on target and not put their goals on the back burner. By constructing vehicles for accountability, you create clear expectations and a way that your team can support each other.
 * 7) **Evaluate.** Evaluation lets you know where you are compared to where you were and where you want to be. It also helps you know what’s working and what could be improved. Evaluation is a sister to accountability because it also helps people stay on track and know how they are doing in the process.
 * 8) **Celebrate!** As we all know, technology doesn’t stop evolving, so we never “graduate” to a fully technical environment. However, it is essential that you regularly look at how far you have come and celebrate. Remember that is it not just the destination, but the journey that makes you successful in evolving to a 21st Century Learning Environment. The more fun the journey, the less you end up rocking the boat! Jump in and enjoy the process.