Week 1 Post #1

In comparing the two assessments I found that I do have good fundamentals in the area of technology. In the Foundations Domain I scored myself yes on seventeen of the eighteen questions. In music education we send a lot of time using .mid, .wav, .jpg, .doc, and many other of these applications daily and weekly. In the Information Acquisition, Solving Problems with Technology and Communications I found that there are areas that I would need some training. The communication domain was my strongest. I feel confident in creating spreadsheets, powwerpoints and other multimedia presentations. As an educational leader I feel I have a good technology background and can be effective on my campus. In the areas in which I need assistance I would get assistance from the technology department or the technology assistant for the campus. Areas that I feel I need more training would be in resolving information conflicts and validating information through research and comparison data (9-B), understand the Boolean search strategies (4-B) and proper evaluation of products for relevance to the assignment or task.
I completed the SETDA District Survey and found that our district offers a large amount of professional development for our teachers but the teachers are not required to past any proficiency for any software applications. There is no assessment for teacher proficiency. We have in our elementary schools three computers for students in each classroom. The district has not established any standards that define what teachers should know and be able to do with learning technologies. All of our schools have 100% internet connectivity. I would consider our district very rich in technology hardware and programs but average to below average in making sure all teachers are proficient in using the tools offered to them. I agree with the assessment because it identifies areas in which teachers and educational leaders can recognize areas of strengths and weaknesses. This can only make us better educators and leaders knowing which areas teachers need help and training.