Session 10

I'd have to say that this has been one of the best classes I have taken so far in my master's program. The online interaction was great. In many classes you don't always get to interact with your classmates, but by reading and responding to the blogs every week I had an opportunity to hear what others were saying. I am very grateful to Dr. Newberry for the flexibility in time we had in completing the assignments and post. Having small children at home makes it difficult to get to class every week and/or sit in front of my monitor at a specific time to respond to others. I probably got more done with the course set up this way than I have in other course, and I'd have to say I put more effort into my assignments because I was able to do them at a time that was best for me rather than rushing right before a class.
The information I have learned from this course has been very valuable,most of which I have already begun to use in my classroom. I have been able to open my eyes wider when it comes to administration and specifically the Ed Norman Syndrome. It seems to be a commonality among all fields not just education. The projects I have submitted are the building blocks for many more technology driven activities that I plan on pursuing.
Overall this was an excellent class and I hope that I am able to take more courses set up this way.

Activity Log:
Downloaded session 10 podcast
posted response
read and responded to other students' blogs

Activity log week 9

read and responded to classmates blogs
listened to session 9 podcast and created blog
completed project 3

Session 9 Professional Development

It's amazing how the idea of professional development varies among colleagues. Some love it and are eager to attend, others feel they are burdens and rather just read about it later.
Depending on the presentation, I like many others fit into both categories. When a training or workshop comes around that I am extremely interested in, I immediately sign up. But when the district's mandated trainings arise, I am the first one to say its a waste of time. Many times I am right on the money when it comes to the trainings, and sometimes I surprise myself when I actually enjoy the mandated presentations and am disappointed in the one I was originally excited about.
Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend the California Association for the Gifted (CAG) Conference in San Jose. This conference is filled with keynote speakers, workshops, and seminars all pertaining to gifted students. This was probably one of the better conferences I have attended. With it being 3 days long, I was sure to get plenty of useful information. And for the most part I did. However, there was 1 seminar that was intended to introduce some new ideas for GATE. I couldn't believe how packed it was considering all of the other workshops being offered at the same time. Like everyone else that I attended, I thought this was going to be an excellent presentation. Unfortunately I was wrong. The presenter stood and read to us what was on the power point as if we were not able to read it ourselves or follow along on the handout. We received no strategies on how to incorporate the new information or even any background on it. We merely sat and listened. This was a rather disappointing seminar for pretty much everyone there. What was suppose to be new and innovating was in reality dull and useless. Perhaps this was do to poor planning on the presenters side, or just lack of quality information.
On the upside of this convention, I attended several motivating seminars that supplied me with numerous ideas and strategies that I would live to incorporate into my classroom. Unfortunately with testing right around the corner, I have no time to add anything new into my program without taking away from the valuable test prep materials I have been instructed to give.
In conclusion, I feel that professional development is an essential part of any career path, whether it is mandated or not, dull or innovating. Regardless of the mood you set for yourself, you'll always come out with new ideas, perhaps on ways to improve the presentation, even if it is a waste of time.

Activity Log

This week I:

Completed project 2
exported project 2 into a wave file
submitted project 2 to Dr. Newberry
read classmates blog post
listened to session 8 podcast
posted blog for session 8

Session 8

Data Driven Decision Making is a huge part of how my school functions. The only thing we seem to be able to factor into our classroom now is data. Data from accelerated math, accelerated reading, STAR math, STAR reading, ALS Benchmarks and of course our lovely CST's. We have so much DATA to go over its a wonder we every get anything else done after school. I know that reviewing data and highlighting the areas that need to be stressed in the classroom is a great thing. But there is such a thing as DATA overkill, at least at my school. I like knowing where my students are academically and how they perform on test, but not all test give an accurate account of your students. I am often tired of looking at data and deciding how to use it. In my classroom I know my students, I know their strengths and weaknesses, and sometimes these test we are required to give are not accurate.I am not saying that Data Driven Decision Making is a bad idea. Just the opposite, Data is good to have, its a good map to follow, but I do not believe that is should be the sole component in designing a successful plan in the classroom.

Activity Log

Submitted project 1 for approval
worked on other 2 projects
listened to podcast for session 7
created session 7 blog
read classmates blogs
responded to classmates blogs

Activity Log

Submitted project 1 for approval
worked on other 2 projects
listened to podcast for session 7
created session 7 blog
read classmates blogs
responded to classmates blogs