Weekly+5+Assignment+Course+Reflections

=COURSE REFLECTIONS =
 * What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned?
 * I came into this course not knowing what to expect, in general. Being a new IT Director, I have been exposed to a trial by fire, since I have been doing this for only three years, having had no educational background previously. I decided to attempt this degree because 1) it will bolster my resume and 2) the information will help me in my work. What’s more, though I came into this position with a strong IT background, I was missing the educational component. I have a lot to learn regarding school curriculum, educational theory, and how technology is different in a school environment, as opposed to other organizations. I believe, after this first course in the program, I have confirmation that some of what we have done is correct, and received ideas of what else to try, to reach our technology goals in the district.
 * To the extent that you achieved the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not?
 * Everything learned in the course is relevant to my current work and my future work. You couldn’t create a course which is more geared to my day-to-day work. Every article, every tutorial, every lecture, and every assignment were relevent. Technology planning and implementation is what I do, and it was very helpful to learn more of the nuts and bolts analysis of how to do it right from experts. The discussion board is one aspect of the course I found most helpful. Hearing from other professionals, commenting on the readings and the environment in their schools was very educational. The interaction was actually much more than you find in your typical classroom. Because noone was afraid to speak up, because discussion is required, there was plenty of it. I found the comments and responses very thoughtful.
 * What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them?
 * I honestly cannot list any outcomes that I did not achieve. I believe I am further along in my education for technology leadership than I was when I began. It has been a learning and growing experience for me. I cannot complain about the quality of the curriculum, and the participation of the class. Everyone participating was taking the topics and assignments seriously, although we hardly could meet face-to-face. Since this was the first real distance education class I have taken, I was impressed by how well this concept could work. This 5 weeks has really flown. I look forward to my remaining 11 courses, and even all the extra work of my field-based activities, because I know it will make me a better administrator, and benefit my school district.
 * Were you successful in carrying out the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you?
 * Yes, I was successful in carrying out the course assignments. Generally, the reading and participation in the discussion boards requirements were straightforward. I liked the layout of the “to-do” list and every requirement laid out in sequence. I did find myself skipping around and returning to early sections. At first I didn’t realize the progress monitors needed to be clicked on as part of the requirement. One thing that was slightly inconvenient was the requirement to jump through a few hoops to retrieve the articles from the library database. If it were possible to post everything inside the course, with a direct link, that would be better. In some cases, the scanned articles were not of the best quality and difficult to read on the screen. Still I was able to do it so I’m not complaining.
 * What did you learn from this course…about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes?
 * During this course, I was reminded of a Peanuts comic strip in which Linus said “the more I learn the more I learn how much more I have to learn.” I know that I have weak areas where I have been “fudging it” up until now. Then, on the other hand, I know that there are few experts in the field of integrating technology into the classroom, and everyone is doing the best they can to figure it out. It’s clear that noone can completely predict the classroom of the future. I was glad to have clarification regarding e-rate requirements, and I was reinforce in my belief that professional development, emphasizing cyber-safety, and appropriate restriction of internet content are appropriate and necessary. I would say that my attitudes were more reinforced than changed. I guess you can say that taking this course was enlightening, encouraging, and has left me coming back for more.