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Reflections of a Master’s Degree CandidateMartha E. SellsLamar UniversityReflections of a Master’s Degree CandidateFollowing completion of my Bachelor’s Degree in December 2000, it was my desire to immediately move forward to earn a Master’s Degree as well. I had even registered for classes in the upcoming spring semester. Fate, however, did not see it this way and I was unable to begin my graduate studies at that time. Then along came a job opportunity and time passed quickly. I found myself getting older, and that, along with the cost of most Master’s programs were very discouraging. I wanted so badly to further my education, but had all but given up on that dream. As luck would have it, my supervisor was surfing the web one evening and happened upon the stateu website, and the rest is history. Affordable, online, and concerning the very venue in which I was working – what more could a girl ask for? I am now about to complete that elusive goal, and have gained a great deal of knowledge along the way. In May my husband, children, and grandchildren will watch me walk across the platform to receive my diploma!In the following pages I will reflect on what I have learned throughout the past eighteen months during my experiences at Lamar University. I will discuss how my views have changed on some topics, some of the goals for which I now want to strive, and an overall feel for what educational technology leadership really is and means to me. I will talk about technologies, leadership qualities, educational procedures and other relevant topics, some of which I had never known of in the past. I will talk about the many difficulties faced by today’s educational leaders, and ways to make their jobs easier. I will talk about how this program has enhanced my abilities to do my job, how it can advance me in that job, and what I would like to continue doing in order to make myself a more valuable employee, educator and leader. This experience has been wonderful, and I want to share the road I have traveled.GoalsPosition GoalThe Educational Technology Leadership program has been designed to prepare its students for leadership roles in which they will be equipped to guide their colleagues in the use of technologies in the classroom. Although emphasis is placed upon the K-12 realm of education, those in higher education will benefit as well. As I am currently responsible for the learning management system at a community college, my goal is to improve my understanding of technologies and to become a more efficient and effective leader to the team of support specialists I supervise. I have learned a great deal of new information toward that goal. Some of the tasks have been more difficult than others; some have been more enjoyable than others. But they have all made me a better educator and leader.As I reflect back to my abilities and confidence in entering this program in October of 2009 I can see how much greater they are now. I have learned new leadership skills, new technologies, and new strategies that can be used to implement my newfound capabilities. And with ability and confidence comes happiness in one’s work. That is exactly where I am. Eventually, I would like to advance in my role at San Jacinto College and have more responsibilities, leverage, and authority in decisions made concerning the system. I have already asked for more responsibilities, and have begun getting involved in more college and community activities to expand my experiences. I would also like to begin applying some of the classroom strategies I have learned by becoming an online instructor. I have already approached our department chairman about being assigned a course or two in the upcoming fall semester.Leadership GoalsAs an innovative technology leader in the college my ultimate goal is to promote student success. I feel this should be the goal of any educator. When integrating technology, the trick is to find the delicate balance of using the technology because it will help the students, and not using it simply because it is there.I enjoy learning about new software and new gadgets a great deal. Now that I am in a position to weigh in on decisions concerning using those new “toys” for the education of our students, I have to ask myself “Will this truly bring value to the education of our students?” The first thought should not be “Wow, this is cool…our students would love this!” That is where the balance comes in. As stated in Web 2.0 new tools, new schools, “there are visual learners, auditory learners, and tactile/kinesthetic learners. Technology makes it possible to target the right approaches for each student in order to provide individualized and differentiated instruction” (Solomon & Schrum, 2007). Throughout the Educational Technology Leadership program I have become more aware of identifying these differences and discerning whether the tool will be beneficial. Considerations include value to the students, value to the instructors, value to the overall learning environment, and budgetary implications. We must realize the true value in a technology, not just the wiz-bang we get from using it.Studying the state mandates, policies and procedures has given me a new perspective on decision making, evaluating new tools and implementing new technologies. Through my internship project I have learned it is not feasible to simply decide a tool might help, and install it immediately. Procedures must be followed through the governance of the college. The true value of the tool must be determined and shared with stakeholders. Committees must weigh in on the adoption of the tool, and it must then be tested before a full rollout can commence. I have learned patience along the way as well as the process that must be followed.I feel I am now in a better position to lead the way in bringing forth new ideas and new ways to assist our students in learning. I have learned the “right” way to carry out the duties of my job and feel equipped to advance as the opportunities arise. Technology is a wonderful thing when used appropriately. This program has taught me how to identify those appropriate opportunities.VisionAs an educator in the technology field, I feel I must continually research emerging technologies and study other schools to find out what is out there and how the new tools are being utilized. I see technology as a portal to education, a way to access, create and utilize electronic based assistance in every aspect of our teaching and learning.According to the 2011 Horizon Report, we have six emerging technologies to watch for within the next 5 years. These include electronic books, mobile computing, augmented reality, game-based learning, gesture-based computing and learning analytics. I have already been researching some of these topics through my role at the college, and look forward to what they will bring us as educators.Electronic books have become very popular with individuals using devices such as the Kindle and iPad. However in the past year I have seen a much more integrated use for education through such companies as McGraw-Hill and Pearson. I have, in fact, been visited by a representative from McGraw-Hill promoting their new Blackboard integration. This product is very slick, allowing students and instructors to use an eBook in which they can annotate, compare, bookmark, etc.Another product I have looked at is the NookBook. It is less limited, in that it can access books from any publisher. This tool is also very useful for instructors and students alike, and I feel would be a great addition to an online course. I am very excited to have learned just yesterday that this will soon be integrated with Blackboard, therefore making its use even easier for all involved.Having an iPad to use has been very helpful in researching such tools, as it provides me with the capability of using them in my work and private life to become familiar with them before we ask others to use them as part of their classroom instructional repertoire. Mobile learning has been around for a while in the form of tools such as electronic books and the mobile app from Blackboard. We have made this app available to our users, and the ones that make use of it really like it. Although it does not possess all the functionality of the entire package, it does give them some capabilities on the go. And electronic books have given students an alternative to lugging thick, heavy backpacks around for some time now. I look for these tools to move forward and become the norm rather than the future for our users.Augmented reality is a term I had not heard of until I read the Horizon Report, so I did a little surfing to find out what it is. It seems to be technology that will allow users to do things such as go through a city, point their camera to a certain spot, and then see that spot on their device as it may have appeared in a different time. This seems like it could open up so many opportunities in the educational field. We could make use of it for such things as conduct virtual science experiments, virtual surgery, or virtual tours of museums. The possibilities will be endless as this technology grows. I will surely keep my eye on this one.Game-based learning, I believe, will soon become prevalent in education from kindergarten through the college years. For the last 18 months we have been discussing the need to create engaging activities for our students. I feel this is one of the best ways to do that as long as the content remains strong. According to Johnson, Smith, Willis, Levine, and Haywood (2011), “gaming related specifically to course content helps student gain a fresh perspective on material and can potentially engage them in that content in more complex and nuanced ways.” (p.21) This is a trend I see as already beginning and one that will grow quickly.Another new emerging technology to watch out for is gesture-based computing and learning analytics. This is already in the lives of students, their parents, even their grandparents in the form of video games such as the Nintendo Wii. I believe there is already a market for developing the use of this technology for online Physical Education courses. And of course many other possibilities exist as well. This technology definitely has potential in the world of education.Technology affects how students live and communicate and when, where, and how they learn (Solomon & Schrum, 2007). We have the opportunity to grab onto the tools they are familiar with and use it to transfer knowledge in engaging and innovative ways. We are in exciting times, and I envision the world in which I work on a daily basis to become more and more intriguing and advance at a faster pace than ever before. We are merely pioneers. The best is yet to come.What I Have LearnedAbout MyselfIn the past 18 months I have learned a great deal about myself. Charting new territory can be exciting but also quite frightening when beginning a journey in which you are unfamiliar (Dana, 2009). I had no idea what to expect when I embarked on this journey, but found out very quickly I was going to enjoy it.I found that I have the capabilities to manage my time more efficiently. Shuffling school, work, marriage, and grandchildren’s ball schedules can be daunting at times. But I have managed to get it all done. It has meant for some late nights meeting early mornings a little more frequently than I would have liked, but worth every sleepy minute.I found that I have the capabilities to be resourceful. There were times when I had no clue what I was doing, but if you ask for help, all will be fine. A perfect example would be the assignment in which we had to evaluate a textbook. As I am not a teacher, and do not have any friends or acquaintances who are, I simply called a local elementary school, told them my situation, and they did not even hesitate to allow me to come by and take a look at one of their books.I found that I am not afraid of new concepts. Many of the courses’ topics were very foreign to me. TAKS, TEKS, STaR, ISTE, and all the other acronyms presented new adventures. I learned how they all worked together for the greater good, and how I can use them to become better informed of the students entering our college environment.All these new discoveries about myself have given me confidence and assurance that I can move forward and do my job well.About My Technology and Leadership SkillsAs the months have gone by I have been able to add many new technologies to my toolbox. The courses dealing with these new tools were the ones I enjoyed the most. It has been said most people prefer exploring the instructional strategies first and the technologies that support them second (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). I, however, feel just the opposite. I love playing with new toys and determining how they can be used in the education of our students.In addition to the technology I feel I have become a better supervisor and leader. The readings and assignments have taught me the importance of data, how faculty buy-in can influence the results of a project, and why an emphasis should be placed on planning. I have known these things, but the reinforcement of our lessons has increased my awareness of the need to make sure they are always considered.As data is becoming a more integral part of our college, I am responsible for gathering the statistics of our Blackboard system and all its components. These tasks may not be glamorous, but they are necessary to assure we are doing all we can to make our students successful. Thus the reason for reports such as AYP and NCLB. Without this data our schools would not have adequate data to allow for justification in continuing their current practices, or tell them where adjustments need to be made.Faculty must be made aware of new technologies being brought into the schools, and given ample time and opportunities to not only learn how to use them, but how to integrate them for the benefit of their students. Without the blessing of the faculty, one will find there is often resentment and resistance. When implementing a new version of Blackboard we begin communication to the end users well in advance of the upgrade. Training is offered and our plan is kept very transparent. This was not always the case. But since this policy has been put into place, upgrades, updates, and new tools are welcomed with more enthusiasm. And this makes my team’s job much more enjoyable.Campus improvement is often planned and carried out collaboratively; however without a good leader can go awry quickly (Harris, Edmonson, & Combs, 2010). I am responsible for the planning and implementation of many projects. I have now learned I do not, and should not have to do it alone. It is often better to seek input from others before finalizing a plan, as two heads are better than one. In addition, I am already taking steps to have one of my team members to learn Microsoft Project in order to assist me with the tracking of projects, and to help me stay on pace.About My AttitudesAlthough I have been in leadership positions for some time now, I have never really considered myself to be a leader. I have been told this is one of my flaws, that if I wasn’t capable and my supervisor didn’t believe I could do the job, I wouldn’t be in the position. For technology leaders, many performance tasks focus on using and communicating research related to social, ethical, legal, and human issues (Williamson & Redish, 2010). I have learned over the past months that many of these tasks fall on my shoulders, and I am a stronger leader because of this program.I have become more patient in my projects and in dealing with personnel issues. I have learned how to thoroughly think through a situation before making a decision. I have learned to communicate better with my team and with the other teams in my division, as harmony and cohesiveness in a team brings forth positive product. I have learned to appreciate the reasoning for the tedious, and how to bask in the successes – and to quickly move on to the next project.Yes, the Educational Technology Leadership Program has made me a better employee, a better technologist, and a better leader. Even when I was unable to understand just why we were reading a particular article, I now see the reason for them. See?…I have become more understanding too.Six Most Helpful CoursesI have given a great deal of thought to this section of my comprehensive exam. I have known for quite some time now that I would have to choose six courses to reflect upon and to provide rationale for choosing those six. As I thought about it I reasoned I should probably list the ones from which I gained the most knowledge. This would mean the ones I began with the least background, and came out with a better understanding. This made my decision a little easier. As my first two degrees are in technology, the ones dealing with the tools themselves were ruled out. That left the ones I enjoyed the least, but from which I probably gained the most. The six I chose are EDLD 5333 – Leadership for Accountability, EDLD 5301 – Research, EDLD 5344 – School Law, EDLD 5335 – Curriculum Management, EDLD 5362 – Information Systems Management, and EDLD 5368 – Instructional Design.EDLD 5333 – Leadership for AccountabilityAlthough I understand the reason and need for the topics in this course, this was the first class I can say I did not enjoyed immensely.? I learned a lot, but it was definitely not the most interesting readings and assignments we performed.? So I will try to reflect what I learned, and how I plan to use that knowledge in my job duties.The main thing I came away with during the these five weeks was that we must have a purpose for everything, else we are simply spinning our wheels, and wasting the time of ourselves and those around us.? As we were given the task of composing a vision, I thought – oh, this will be easy.? Not so.? Much thought goes into creating a true vision.? One must seek input for others, brainstorm, collaborate, and be sure to include the needs of the entity as well as one’s personal beliefs.? This is necessary to reach a common goal.I learned an effective leader cannot spend all their time behind closed doors.? They must assure their constituents they are available, accessible – human.? They must be supportive, caring and involved. This is evidenced in our college’s Chancellor. She is visible, transparent, and her door is always open. I personally do not see how she has the time to do all she does, attend all the functions she attends, and still have time for her family and a personal life. Time management is an important element of the leader’s life. Time is a factor that must be dealt with rather than pretending that issues of time management don’t exist (Dana, 2009). Leaders must be consistently aware of this in order to be affective.After studying the readings in this course, my personal vision resulted in the following:It is my vision to inspire others while exhibiting compassion, strength, authority, flexibility, fairness, competency, and a collaborative spirit.As we delved into the data and statistics I acquired a new appreciation and respect for principals everywhere.? I had no idea there was so much involved in making sure a campus is meeting state and national requirements.? In addition to dealing with discipline, faculty, parents, etc. they must keep track of all the numbers.? I am sure they spend a great deal of time working late, or in their own homes under a lamp, blurry-eyed, to take care of the many students in their charge. Our college is becoming very data driven. I only have to deal with the data from Blackboard related issues. Our chancellor must deal with it from all aspects of the college. That task alone could overwhelm anyone.Leadership is more than just a title – it is a responsibility and an honor.? It should not be taken lightly, and those that are privileged to have this be a part of their lives are indeed a unique group.? It cannot be accomplished alone, and leaders must realize that.? An effective leader has to be willing to listen and guide.? I can only hope I possess these qualities.EDLD 5301 – ResearchWell, what a great five weeks this turned out to be. It always amazes me when I think I know what something is, and then in one short week, bam – I see it as totally different. That is what happened in the first week. Growing up I knew what research was. It was boring reading, numbers, graphs, reports, more boring reading. Then more boring writing that no one would ever want to read. Not so! Put the word “action” in front of it, and research is a whole new ball game!In Leading with Passion and Knowledge: the Principal as Action Researcher, one of the first things I read was that action research refers to research intended to bring about change of some kind (Dana, 2009). This statement did not mean a great deal to me at first reading. However, I understand it so much better now. This will be extremely helpful in making decisions on new technologies to possibly be implemented. I must consider the changes that will come about as a result of my recommendation. These changes may impact learners, instructors, or the budget. My research must be active, action research that is thorough and concise.I have learned that when approaching an issue in which important decisions must be made, one must enter that decision making process with the necessary tools. Action research is one of these tools. It will methodically provide all the necessary information with which to make an informed and educated decision, as well as measurable justification for that decision. In this way, if ever questioned, the data is there to support that decision.I have learned that there is no single way to gain consensus to gain buy-in when approaching a problem. There are various ways to work with others to choose which projects to implement. Force field analysis, the Delphi method and the nominal group technique are all strategies for sustaining improvement while at the same time looking futuristically to prepare for the future (Harris, Edmonson, Combs, 2010). Although I have used various versions of these methods, I have never seen them as methods for this purpose.In addition, I have learned we must use qualitative and quantitative measurements to arrive at a final result of any research project. This course has taught me various methods to use in order to do this, and there is a process for conducting the research. The steps are laid out for us in Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools: 8 Steps from Analysis to Action. They include setting the foundation, analyzing the data, developing deeper understanding, engaging in self-reflection, exploring programmatic patterns, determining direction, taking action and sustaining improvement (Harris, Edmonson, Combs, 2010).If this process is followed each time such research is needed, it will assure there are no areas left underutilized, and a true reading will be found on the research gathered. I plan to keep these methods as part of my tool kit in conducting business. There are many opportunities in my work to put this knowledge to good use. Now I feel confident that I will have a systematic approach to making smart, effective, knowledgeable decisions.EDLD 5344 – School LawWow, this one was rough! ?I had absolutely no idea there was so much to consider when making decisions! ?I knew it was no cake walk, but my goodness…This course has made me realize just how complicated the life of a school administrator can be. ?Many of the issues discussed do affect my job as Blackboard Administrator and Supervisor of Blackboard Support, however there are a great deal of federal, state and local laws and policies that I didn’t even realize existed until this course. ?I can’t imagine having to keep myself up to date on all of them.I think the most prominent of the issues discussed that is involved in my job is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. ?In dealing with the thousands of course sites and users I handle on a daily basis, privacy is a major concern.? We must assure only authorized employees are able to view grades and personal information.? This is no small feat.I work very closely with the data management team for the college, which also handles Banner, our Student Information System.? The integration of the two systems, if not handled properly, could result in major violations of FERPA.? I and my team are very aware of all aspects of this act, and are very careful when dealing with student records.? In fact, I am working now on a project that will result in the purchase of a verification product.? This product will verify that a student taking an online exam is indeed the student enrolled in the course.? All of this is a result of FERPA regulations.FERPA also affects a school’s storage and retention of students records (Bissonnette, 2009).? Because of this, we archive and store all course sites of our Blackboard system, and keep them on a secure server for up to 5 years.? This will assure easy access to grades should anyone choose to protest their GPA.? The security of the server will also protect the private information included in these records.In addition to protecting the electronic records, we are very careful to speak only with a student when we are called.? Parents, spouses, significant others, children, etc. are not permitted to obtain information about a college student’s grades.? It sometimes causes a bit of anger on their part.? But we simply explain the laws and refuse to speak with anyone but the student. ?All of these precautions take time, effort and money; but it is well worth it to protect the privacy of our students.I also have to consider laws considering Internet and network usage. ?As the administrator of our online course management system, I feel it is part of my job to make sure all our students and instructors are aware of the dangers of inappropriate material being posted to the system.One of the steps I have taken to prevent this is to include notes on training materials, brochures, etc. that indicate any violation of this policy will immediately be removed.? In addition, it could result in the discontinuation of their email and network accounts.? This is stated in our AUP, which is posted on the college website.? I don’t know that it could also lead to criminal charges, as we are a higher learning institution vs. K-12; however, I do what I can in trainings and the production of instructional materials to get the message across to all involved.Another way in which I am able to inform those who need to hear this message is through new staff/faculty workshops.? My department is responsible for informing these new employees of the services offered by our Educational Technology Division.? In communicating this information, we are able to inform these people verbally as well as through documentation we have collaboratively prepared for their use of the policies involving the use of the college’s network and the Internet.In teaching various computer classes, I have always pointed out to students that emails should be composed very carefully.? One never knows who is actually reading their words; and they should be very careful if they are writing something in anger or haste.? And if they receive an email with inappropriate or unprofessional content it should be deleted.? I have actually known employees to lose their job over a “joke”.? And that is no laughing matter.Again, we must keep ourselves up to date on the current laws and the policies of our workplace to assure we are not violating either. ?A very important course to be part of this program, and a good wake-up call to those vying to become a school administrator!EDLD 5335 – Curriculum ManagementThis course was another a tough one.? I don’t know if it is that I could see the light at the end of the tunnel, that I am really tired, or that it is not one exactly the most interesting of courses we have had in the program.? No matter the cause, and no matter how difficult it was to trudge through the readings, I still learned a great deal.I learned that one of the most important aspects of being an effective leader of a campus is to know the standards, policies, and expectations of the campus.? You must be aware of state requirements, and have an open and innovative mind when attempting to accomplish these goals.? It is often said that to be successful one must surround themselves with successful people.? I believe this to be true in education as well as business and industry.Once a school leader is versed on the expectations and goals, he/she must then discern how to reach those goals.? One way is to build trust among the teachers and staff of the campus.? This can be obtained in many ways, including making suggestions, giving feedback, modeling, using inquiry and soliciting advice and opinions, and giving praise. (Blasé & Blasé, 2000).? This helps to build trust and confidence, therefore breeds success.Another way to build success is to use data effectively.? I use data quite a bit in my job, and find myself looking for additional ways to utilize the data to improve student success.? After this course I have learned the value to examine a wide range of data, not just results from standardized tests. (Boudett, City, Murnane, 2006)All of these methods will help me to become a more effective leader, by building better relationships, understanding my goals, and improving student success by implementing the two.Collaboration and trust have been an ongoing theme throughout this entire program.? It is also a continuous aspect in my job.? Many techniques were pointed out in this particular course.? One of my favorites was the need for professional development.? I believe it is very important to assure all faculty and staff have the opportunity to participate in ongoing activities to promote their growth.? This not only helps them to learn innovative teaching methods, but it gives them empowerment, confidence, and self-value.According to Teacher-principal relationships: Exploring linkages between empowerment and interpersonal trust (2005), “Trust contributes to a positive working environment characterized by honest, supportive relationships” (p. 261).? Through collaborative meetings, workshops and just plain listening, a supportive relationship can be built with the campus leader and their staff, resulting in a positive atmosphere.? This can only help in building student success.As a leader, it will be up to me to assure every employee is treated equally and impartially.? Strong worth ethic should be demonstrated by the leader to assure integrity, transparency, and honesty throughout the campus.? Consistent performance evaluation standards should be established, equal expectations should be distributed, and a standardized rewards/disciplinary system must be built.? Everyone should know what to expect from the leader at all times.Everyone has a boss.? Although the principal is the campus leader, he/she is still accountable to the superintendent, the school board, parents, the community and the state.? Curriculum management is the heart of a principal’s performance measurement.? This is what drives all aspects of the job.? Every decision a principal makes eventually goes back to curriculum management.? It drives teacher recruitment/retention, the budget, professional development, and day-to-day activities.Leadership comes with many responsibilities, and if successful, a principal can make his/her campus become a model to other schools across the state.? Other schools will come to them for ideas and best practices.? District leaders seek innovative, forward thinking individuals to help them assure their students are successful, and their campuses are respected across the state.? When implementing the practices discussed in this course, a campus leader will do just that.Success is in our hands.? We must be sure as leaders to instill trust in our staff, implement innovative practices throughout the campus, and analyze data to support our decisions.? With that, our schools will improve exponentially, molding our future leaders as they sit in our classrooms.EDLD 5362 – Information Systems ManagementThis course allowed me to take a closer look at the current and future plan for San Jacinto College. I had never before been aware of any type of plan that was in place, or our philosophy in making the decisions that are made. Due to this class I was able to get a behind the scenes look at this via our campus plan.Since taking this course, I have been asked to serve on our Distance Learning Task Force. This committee is compiled of stakeholders holding many different roles in the college. We are interviewing individuals who have led both successful and unsuccessful distance learning projects so that we may derive a better plan for our own institution. Distance Learning is growing, and in my opinion will continue to do so. We must be prepared to handle what is coming our way.The Internet has increased our reach throughout, and decreased the size of, our world as we once knew it.? Therefore, teaching methods have drastically changed in the last 30-plus years.? Our teachers are better able to communicate with their students, colleagues, and parents; and to offer expansive options to those wishing to explore additional information about the topic at hand.? In comparing and contrasting the methods of teaching before and after the creation of the Internet, we must look at many aspects to see the changes, advantages and hindrances.If you speak with teachers of today who have been teaching for many years, they will attest to the fact that teaching methods have indeed changed drastically.? They will also tell you some of the changes have been positive, and some have been negative.? One of the positive changes, and perhaps the most important is that the Internet can bring collaboration to many who are separated geographically.? Without the Internet, we could never have joined students together from all parts of the state to discuss, collaborate, and work on a topic all at once.? It also presents a platform for those timid and inhibited students to participate more freely.As these and many other advantages exist, the Internet can also offer much incorrect information.? Therefore we must teach our students to discern the right from the wrong.? Because of this, added instruction and grading is required.? However, I do feel the positives do outweigh the negatives.What we can do via the Internet is only the beginning.? The possibilities are endless.? We will only be restricted by what our minds will not allow us to imagine.? And who knows, maybe one of the students we are teaching today will be the one to make a major breakthrough!EDLD 5368 – Instructional DesignSince becoming the Blackboard Administrator/Support Coordinator of San Jacinto College in August 2008, I have seen a consistent growth of online student enrollments from 18 – 25% from one year to the next. ?I and my team work daily to improve the online experience for our students. ?We are constantly looking for new technologies to incorporate into our course sites to make them more interactive and collaborative. ?Our goal is to teach instructors to make their courses Active, Collaborative, and Authentic – ACAdemic.When an educator possesses the skills to present an interactive, quality course to their students, it will improve their technical skills and those of their students. ?It will also provide a way for them to stay in touch with their students more consistently. ?Their students will be more likely to return to class after being forced to miss due to illness or work; therefore attendance may improve.Another advantage is that in the event of a school closing, online access will provide a format for a seamless continuation of the course. ?This is one of the reasons our college has issued a mandate that ALL class sections must have a Blackboard presence. ?Following Hurricane Ike, we were forced to close our doors for two weeks. ?Instructors already having an online presence did not suffer from that time lost, whereas those without the Blackboard shell had to scramble to communicate with their students, thus losing valuable instruction time. The course I created in this course will reinforce these beliefs.I see online learning as a wave of the future. ?Although it has been around for a while, I don’t believe it will reach its peak for quite some time. ?New technologies will continue to improve its effectiveness, and more and more students will opt to take advantage. ?I want to know what is in store for the future. ?I want to know how I can continue to improve on the development of my online courses. ?I want to know more about the pedagogical aspect of online teaching. ?There is still so much to know in order to develop the best site possible. ?My course sites should be as effective as one that might be used, for example, in an English course. ?In addition, if I am going to teach how to create an exemplary course, should I not do it with an exemplary course? ?As stated in Questions andAnswers for Policy-Makers about Virtual Public Schools, a fairly common misperception about online learning is that in the online environment the teacher is less important than in the classroom?(Watson, 2007). This is simply not true. ?In some cases, online teachers actually spend more time teaching than those in a brick and mortar classroom.I have learned even more about design and functionality throughout this course, and look forward to learning more from new tools and other online instructors. ?One of the most important lessons I learned was the backward design method of design (Wiggins & McTighe, 2000) ?I had never thought about designing a course this way, but it makes perfect sense. ?It has also been very advantageous to work within a different product than one with which I was already comfortable. ? I feel it gives one another perspective, and causes one to look more closely at their work. ?This course was a great help in realizing how much I need to learn about designing a quality course.These six courses may have not been the most enjoyable of the eleven I have taken, but have certainly given me the greatest amount of new knowledge. I feel I now have a better perspective of where our students are coming from, how our leaders make their decisions, and how my job duties can affect both.Overall Program ThoughtsThe Educational Technology Leadership Program at Lamar University has been such a wonderful experience for me. I have not only learned the “how-to’s”, but the “why’s” that go along with them. And often we forget to convey this to our students. They not only need to know how to calculate percentages, but that they need to know this because some day they will be purchasing a car, or figuring their taxes, or buying a house, and they will need to know how to perform those calculations in order to assure they are spending their money wisely.Just as our students need to know such things, we as students in this program need to know why we must create a vision statement before jumping into a campus plan. I now understand that the vision is the foundation to a successful campus. I understand that we must have buy-in from the teachers before we can expect them to undergo professional development. This will make them accept it more freely; therefore they will get more out of the sessions. I understand why we must have active research when analyzing new technology tools. Without the active research, we could be purchasing technologies that are inappropriate for the job, thus wasting budgetary resources. These are just a few examples of how we have learned the how-to’s AND the why’s.Throughout the last 18 months I have learned effective ways to use Web tools to collaborate with others across the state. I have always been a face-to-face type of person when working with others. I wanted to be in the same room with them when working on a project. But now, I am more open to using blogs, wikis, Skype, Facebook, …the list goes on – in order to get the job done. When using these tools as they were intended, a group can produce a quality product as if they were in the same room.Another thing I have improved on during this program is time management. The 5-week format of the courses has made me use my time more efficiently, and taught me that the least bit of procrastination can have devastating effects on a project. I have applied this to my work and my home life, and feel I have improved on all three fronts.I feel I am a better employee, a better student, and a better leader as a result of this program. I have gained knowledge, skills, and confidence as the time has passed. Although I have earned this degree very late in my life and career, I will never regret taking on the task. I have enjoyed it immensely, and will always remember my experiences.Professional Development PlanAs I move forward with a Master’s Degree, I will take this knowledge to improve my work at San Jacinto College. As I plan to retire in the next 3-5 years, I expect to remain in the position I now hold. When I was hired as the eLearning Coordinator the organization of the Educational Technology Division looked much different, and the expectations of my job were much different than now. The job has evolved and my responsibilities have become much higher than first planned. So my hope is that when a current salary study is complete, I will have earned my degree, and the committee will see the changes that have taken place, and I will receive a promotion. My supervisor is hopeful they will promote me from Coordinator to Director.I really do not see any other change in my future. Perhaps it is because I am very happy and content doing what I do. I feel I am doing a good job, and my performance evaluations have reflected that; therefore I have no desire to move elsewhere within the college. Some may see that as wrong, but I have been in a position where I was very unhappy, and I do not want to be in that situation again. My plan is to stay right here, continue to grow in my skills, abilities, and leadership capabilities, and to someday leave the Blackboard system and its support system in good shape to whoever may take my place. I will then happily ride off into the sunset with my husband to travel and continue with our genealogy research.I want to thank all the instructors and administrators at Lamar University for developing this program, and making a Master’s Degree a reality for so many of us who could not otherwise afford it. It has been a fantastic experience, and I will always be grateful.ReferencesBissonette, A. M. (2009). Cyber law: maximizing safety and minimizing risk in classrooms. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.Blasé, J., $ Blasé, J. (2000). Effective instructional leadership: Teachers’ perspectives on how principals promote teaching and learning in schools. Journal of Educational Administration, 38,(2), 130-141.Boudett, K. P., City, E. A., & Murnane, R. J. (2006). The “data-wise” improvement process. Principal Leadership, 7(2), 53-56.Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: the principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, a Joint Publication with the American Association of School Administrators.Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. P. (2010). Examining what we do to improve our schools: 8 steps from analysis to action. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.Johnson, L., Smith, R., Willis, H., Levine, A., and Haywood, K., (2011). The 2011 Horizon Report. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.Moye, M.J., Henkin, A. B., & Egley, R. J. (2005). Teacher-principal relationships: Exploring linkages between empowerment and interpersonal trust. Journal of Educational Administration, 43(2/3), 260-277.Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0: new tools, new schools. Eugene, Or.: International Society for Technology in Education.Watson, J. (2007). A national primer on k-12 online learning. North American Council for Online Learning. Retrieved from , G. P., & McTighe, J. (2000). Understanding by design study guide. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.Williamson, J., & Redish, T. (2010). ISTE's technology facilitation and leadership standards: what every K-12 leader should know and be able to do. Moorabbin, Vic.: Hawker Brownlow Education.AppendixCurriculum VitaeMartha E. SellsCurriculum Vitae4953004254500Martha E. Sells2710 Taos TrailDeer Park, TX 77536Mobile:713.569.7684Email:Martha.sells@sjcd.edu Date of Birth: 3rd October 1955Personal StatementOrganized detail oriented multi-tasker with thirteen years experience at San Jacinto College. Experiences include tracking, organization, managing and analyzing of grants, ranging in award amounts from $4,000 to $3,000,000. Past and present duties include but not limited to: administration of the college’s Learning Management System, supervision of office personnel, grant coordinators & clerks; knowledge of laws and compliance requirements of funding agencies and community colleges; programmatic and budget report submissions using spreadsheets and self-created databases; building and maintaining relationships with College staff, area service organizations & companies, and vendors; writing requests for proposals; creating and maintaining budgets; knowledge of BANNER processes; creation of courses; scheduling of classes; and marketing & recruitment. Advanced computer skills and excellent writing & oral communication skills. People oriented and focused. Eager to face challenges.SkillsAdvanced File ManagementAdvanced Internet & Email SkillsText Processing SkillsComputer Networking skillsTelephone Answering SkillsOrganizational SkillsProblem Solving SkillsTouch-Typing Skills Interpersonal Communication SkillsEducationLamar UniversityBeaumont, TXMaster of Education – Expected Spring 2011Educational Technology LeadershipUniversity of Houston Central CampusHouston, TXBachelor of Science in Technology – Awarded Fall 2000Major: Technology Leadership and Supervision w/Training & Industry CertificationMinor: Information Systems TechnologySan Jacinto CollegeHouston, TXAssociate of Applied Science – Awarded Fall 1997Major: Computer Information Systems – Programming OptionCertificate of Technology – Fall 1997Microcomputer Utilization Certificate – Spring 1997Lee CollegeBaytown, TX.Basic Studies – No Degree SoughtComputer ExperienceWord processingSpreadsheetsPresentationsDatabasesProject PlanningDiagrammingScreen VideosWeb 2.0 ToolsPhoto ManipulationSoftware ExperienceProficient in Blackboard Learning Management System; Microsoft Office, Project and Visio; Camtasia Studio; Picasa; SoftChalk; Wimba Voice, Pronto & Classroom; FrontPage, Dreamweaver, & HTML; WordPress. I am able to adapt current skills to new technologies and softwares.CertificationsMicrosoft Office Specialist – v.2000 & 2007IC3 CertifiedBlackboard GUI Administrator – v.7.XPresentationsApril 2008 - TACTE – Managing Grants – The Toolkit to Organization and StandardizationJuly 2009 – Blackboard World ’09 – Taming the Internal Documentation MonsterMarch 2010 – University of Houston Social Media Showcase – Using Blogs, Wikis, Facebook & TwitterJanuary 2011 – Blackboard Cohort Online Group – Upgrading to Blackboard 9.1Current EmploymentBlackboard Administrator/Support Coordinator San Jacinto CollegeHouston, TXAug 2008 – Current.Oversee administration of Blackboard Learning Management System for San Jacinto College’s 3-campus district. Oversee and supervise Blackboard technical support team. Research new technologies to be implemented into LMS, and assure seamless implementation of such. Work with data management and IT infrastructure teams to assure seamless integration of district SIS and Blackboard.Employer ContactNiki Whiteside – VP, Educational TechnologyPhone:281.991.2660 Email: niki.whiteside@sjcd.eduIndependent Contractor – Program Evaluator Continuing Education Association InternationalHouston, TXSep 2010 – Current.-Work with a team to assist in the evaluation and accreditation/certification of Continuing Education (CE) programs at both public and private institutions of higher education as well as training and development divisions of business, industry, government and labor.- Assist CE professionals with delivering the best possible instruction to their students (adult learners) by providing online resources and networking opportunities necessary to meet the educational and training needs of the 21st century.Employer ContactCharles Grant, Ph.D. – CEOPhone:713.269.3229 Email: Charles@Work HistoryProgram Manager, Continuing & Professional DevelopmentSan Jacinto CollegeMar 2006 – Aug 2008- Management of TWC grants with Association of Plant Inspector Professionals and West Gulf Maritime Association.- Research of and management of various grants for Continuing & Professional Development with emphasis on SkillsDevelopment/Cohort grant courses including but not limited to Business Applications User, Business Applications Specialist, Computer Job Skills and Technical Service Support Representative. Entities involved included TWC/S & B Engineering, THECB(Perkins), Harris County (CDBG), Pasadena (CDBG), Texas Public Education Grant, San Jacinto College Foundation and Seabrook Rotary Club.- Creation, development, management and scheduling of all computer courses and programs, including contracts and grants offered by the Continuing & Professional Development Division of the San Jacinto College District. Duties also included hiring instructors, community networking, development and creation of computer courses and programs, supervision of extension site coordinators and labs, community networking, and other duties as assigned.Director of Community Education, Continuing Education San Jacinto CollegeJan 2005 – Mar 2006- Creation, development, management and scheduling of all courses and programs offered by the Continuing Education (CE) Division of the North Campus. This position also included the writing, submission and management of grants of the North Campus CE Division; as well as contract classes. Duties also included the supervision of Administrative Assistants and Coordinators, hiring instructors, community networking, and other duties as assigned.[A reorganization of the Continuing Education Division was executed, therefore changing my title and job duties]PT Coordinator, Continuing Education San Jacinto CollegeApril 2002 – Jan 2005- Management of SBC GearUp Supplemental Grant which provided technical training to teachers of the Galena Park ISD.- Creation, development, management and scheduling of all computer courses and programs, including contracts and grants offered by the Continuing Education Division of the San Jacinto College North Campus. Duties also included hiringinstructors, community networking, supervision of office staff, grant coordinators and labs, and other duties as assigned. - Management of TWC/SSF which provided Computer Job Skills training to low income individuals of the North Channel area. *In addition to Grant Coordinator duties, temporarily carried out duties to compensate for Computer Coordinator job vacancy until position was filled.[Was hired as full-time employee in Continuing Education Division]TEACHING EXPERIENCE:Continuing Education Computer Instructor San Jacinto CollegeApril 1998 – Present- Instructor of courses including: Computer Literacy, MS Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, MS PowerPoint, MS Project, Internet Basics, MS FrontPage and Genealogy Using Family Tree Maker.- Also instructed classes and developed instructor organizational aids for Computer Job Skills Program utilizing MS Word & MS Excel.Substitute Teacher Channelview ISDJanuary 1998 – Apr 1999- Substitute teacher in High School, Middle School, and Elementary SchoolTutor San Jacinto College – North CampusOct 1997 – Dec 1997- Tutored students enrolled in various computer classes including Introduction to Computer Programming and Introduction to MicrocomputersKindergarten Teacher Channelview Christian SchoolAugust 1981 – May 1988- Taught advanced Kindergarten seven years, pre-kindergarten final yearReferee’sM. Ellen EverettAssociate Registrar for Student Records, Rice UniversityPh:713.348.8035eMail:ellen.everett@rice.eduCharles Grant, PH.D.Education and Special Projects Liaison, Harris County CommisionerPh:713.450.1009eMail:charles.grant@pct2.Gail MasonCIS Instructor/Department Chair, San Jacinto CollegePh:281.458.4050, ext. 7242eMail:gail.mason@sjcd.edu ................
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