Finding a Site Mentor

My journey of looking for a site mentor has finally come to an end. I am so gracious to have a very good instructor as Professor Borel. Professor Borel, was able to step right in and assist me in finding a facility that will work with me throughout the program. I really appreciate everything she has done this past week. Unlike many of my classmates who are already educators, but my position is a little different than everyone else. I have experience in a different area of teaching and that is corporate training. I entered this program to learn more skills in leadership and technology training to provide my audience with an insight of technology learning without always has to teach on the same traditional learning modules of using power point presentation. I have always known that the technology of teaching is more advanced than what I was accustom too and the learning material that I have been using for the past three years; I needed change and develop a different and comprehensive learning style to my audience. No matter, the age of your subjects, an educator should be able to provide resourceful information that is relevant to his or her need of learning. In this class, I have already learned how to use other forms of communication besides emails. Learning to use blogs and wiki sites will allow me to present this information to my company’s IT department where we can start blogging to our colleagues and adding links to the blogs where we can store educational material for retrieval anytime as a resource guide. I am looking forward in what the program has to offer in a full learning spectrum.

Unfamiliar Territory

I started down my career path about 2 years ago sure of only one thing; I knew, I wanted to acquire a MBA to elevate myself in a managerial role, after receiving the desire position a few months ago, and with only one class left before graduating from my MBA program. The desire to remain in Corporate America is gone, because I recently became a volunteer with a very good non-profit organization that help inner-city youth who have the disadvantage of being able to use technology either in the home, school, or a neighboring library. After volunteering for the organization for approximately four (4) months, I knew I wanted a career in teaching. In what capacity, I had no idea. In my current role as an auditor for a manage care company, my role is to present reports written and oral. About 40% of my time is spent with educating physicians and their staff by presenting power point presentations and dummy scenarios of what the practice most common errors in their practices. Since, I have been an educator for the company; I’ve decided to take teaching on as a career. After taking my first class in EDLD 5306, I now know for sure that I want to teach grades 9-12th. I am still limited with knowledge of teaching and all the rules that apply, developing a new curriculum, and understanding State regulations that must be followed by all school administrators, teachers, and district officials. I’m ready to take that leap into unfamiliar territory. In reading my colleagues blogs, discussion area, I now see the art of teaching, and how it can bring excitement to both the student and teacher. In this coursework, I have learned how to use and create blogs, wiki’s, and use interactive videos; I have learned so much in this course thus far. Additionally, I have found this course a lot harder than what I’ve expected because the course material is like learning a foreign language. I’m now beginning to understand the logistic of learning how to communicate in group forums over the Web.

Diane Winborn 2006-2009 STaR Chart

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Blog Posting #1

Blog Posting #1
Educator Preparation and Development

It is important to know professional development provide opportunities for sustained, relevant, and timely staff development in a variety of formats. Student engagement is the key to all of the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020. The key to success for all students is the assurance that they are fully engaged in their learning process. It is essential that we as educators equalize the learning environment in terms for students at all levels. The core framework of the Texas technology plan for teaching and learning is the integration of technologies into Texas schools to transform the teaching process by allowing for greater levels of interest, collaboration, creativity, and analysis. I believe technology is an indispensable component for our educational leaders with the vision for changing the behavior and relationships within the teaching and learning environment. In addition, teachers should take full advantage of technology to make classroom learning more engaging and relevant; and all learners should have access to resources for individualized instruction 24/7 to allow them to understand their learning environment. A teacher’s role in mentoring and leading is fundamental to the success of a student learning ability; and the student must act as the receiver of information in order to prove comprehension skills. In order for teachers to act as a facilitator, mentor, and co-learners, students must be an active participant in the learning process, and teachers need more time in the classrooms to explore best practices and learn new curriculum strategies. An online teacher resource center should be created which provides technology based resources to improve academic achievement. Further, school officials, principals, and assistant principals should support teachers in developing classroom websites and online resources to share lessons.