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EDUC 5373-WEEK 1

  1. What do you notice about the experiences and path(s) taken by the interviewee(s) that result in their elevation to decision-making roles and educational technology experts?

Several of the interviews I read through the person was someone who was active in the educational community and they were either placed in a situation that made them have to learn more about technology or they were given opportunities to utilize technology and they quickly realized the benefits. Most of them worked from a much smaller role and morphed into a role that has given them a bigger voice over time. The article I focused the most on was an interview with Elizabeth Thomas.

She speaks of how her path to becoming a technology expert began with a classroom experience, a true love for technology and from being willing to learn and accept these new challenges. She began as an 8th grade teacher in math and science and with the introduction to technology in her classroom from a piloted program of having iPads she began to see the positive effect of technology with her students as well as herself as an educator. Her progress comes from her willingness to seek out these opportunities of growing and learning in this position and moving forward into a larger position of Director of Educational Technology.


  1. What connections if any are made by the interviewee to the ISTE Standards or Essential Conditions to support technology use and decision-making?

Through this interview the ISTE standards are not mentioned specifically, but many connections can be made to both the ISTE for students and the ISTE for educator standards. For students she discusses having them take initiative and to be willing to seek out the answers on their own. She also discusses allowing students multiple methods to show their knowledge-working collaboratively and creatively. This is relatable to the ISTE standard for empowered learners as well as the standard for collaborative learners. For educators there is a relationship between her discussion of professional development and the ISTE standard for educators as learners themselves.


3. What is the role of professional development within the initiatives or strategies implemented?

She discusses in the interview the importance of teachers having their own confidence to use technology as well as the support that may be necessary to assist educators when they may begin to feel overwhelmed. this development plays a crucial role in the interviewee's strategies for integrating technology. She talks about how professional development will be beneficial for teachers, especially because technology is ever changing and new approaches may be necessary. She also talks about social media and how support can be found through social media groups. She discusses also how teachers should be given time to experiment and play with technology as well as be willing to learn from students. 


4. What real-world challenges do they share as they describe the work they are engaged in (or have completed) and how do they address these challenges?

Several references to real-world challenges are mentioned through Thomas' interview. One is the importance of remaining patient through transitional times of new technology. She talks about the fears of educators about loosing control. She discusses the importance of developing a supportive environment so teachers don't fear taking risks and how one of the biggest issues is time management. For time management it is important, she says, to make sure you know the purpose of your activity and plan for proper technology to support the purpose.


  1. What critique might you offer?  Do you see any concerns? Are you inspired?  Tell me about your perspective informed by research from this week.

I found Thomas' interview to be the most relatable to myself and my job. I found all of them interesting, especially the fact that so many of them started as classroom teacher's just like me. They all have worked with technology and been inspired by the use of it, which is also what led me to pursuing this degree program. I feel inspired to continue learning and getting more in tune wth technology and it was heartwarming to know that I am also not alone in some of the struggles.


References

McClay, J., & Stachowiak, B. (2024). Igniting Your Leadership with Technology. Innovate Learning, LLC. 

International Society for Technology in Education. (n.d.). ISTE standards. ISTE. https://iste.org/standards

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