Week 2 of 599

In week two we were supposed to finalize our SMART Goals and Timeline for our proposed project.  After talking with Dr. Loeffler, I came to the realization that simply utilizing a new type statistics program would not be enough to create an entire research project.  However, by coupling this idea with several concepts to aid the promotion of my high school baseball team, I decided that a website would be the best way to combine said concepts.  As I will be creating a multi-faceted, one-stop shop for my baseball team, there will be several aspects that I'll need to work on.  I'll need to create schedules, rosters, game summaries, photo galleries, all-time records, etc.  It is a good thing that it is a project I would have planned on creating anyway; this class is finally forcing me to execute it.  I also will be using and learning more about technologies that we have used in our cohort in the past (Eyejot, Google Sites/Spreadsheets, photo sharing, etc.).  I am looking forward to creating a site that I can be proud of, and hopefully will get some excellent advice from my peers along the way!

Week One of 599 (The Beginning of the End!)

In our final culminating class, we will be developing a project based on using a technology that we have not used (or only used/covered sparingly) in our cohort up to this point.  With this technology we will be developing a use in our professional life that can hopefully improve our existing situation.  As varsity baseball coach, I plan on using an IPad to hopefully make the way that we record our statistics much more efficient (possibly help other sports convert also).  By using the "Pointstreak Solutions," or some other downloaded application, I will hopefully be able to keep the statistics by simple touches, along with having them in an easy, user-friendly format (without having to manually enter them into a computer myself).  A certain advantage to this project would be the convenience of making my life as a coach easier.  Some drawbacks and hurdles that come to mind would be cost (for the IPad and the application) and the learning curve associated with any new piece of technology.

Week 6 of 565

This class has been a very effective class in the sense that it has combined the essential characteristics of leadership with technological integration.  This class has reinforced my concept that a leader must be firm yet compassionate, but above all, the voice of reason; stoic.  As far as teacher leadership is concerned, I think that this position is a little bit trickier to define.  Whereas a teacher leader is unquestionably a leader, they must make sure that they don't over step their authority, combating the administration, or offending their peer colleagues.  However, by maintaining a professional relationship with all parties involved, a teacher leader should be able to serve his/her department members productively.

Through this class, I feel like my perception of my own leadership has changed.  Whereas I've always been in spots that require leadership (teaching, parenting, and coaching), I haven't always viewed myself as a great leader.  Now, it's not that I feel like I'm a great leader now, but I do realize that I have the ability, provided I display active listening skills, and lead with kindness/logic.

Lastly, our text mentioned that the only way to improve education is from within; a statement of which I agree.  By adjusting the infrastructure of our system, we can create an establishment that self-perpetuates learning.  We simply need to find a way to motivate our students in a much more intrinsic fashion.  Before we look at privatizing our system, I hope we figure out how to make this happen.