Getting connected seemed to be the central theme of the course. Whether it's through the use of social media or locally developing our own professional learning network, creating connections increases and strengthens the flow of information allowing for optimum use of all known resources. Regardless of the principal's level of comfortability, he/she must develop an understanding of how technology is reshaping the educational landscape and the way in which students both learn and communicate.
In order to be at the forefront of the new technological era and equip our students with the skills necessary to compete in the 21st century, we, as principals, must not only ensure that all students receive digital access and the proper training but we must also continually be in search of additional funding opportunities such as through local business connections, grant writing, or fundraising.
As a principal, it is our obligation to take the instructional lead and capitalize on the benefits that this new technology affords us. From applications that allow us to develop personalized instruction inside of the classroom, to those that allow us to review school wide data we can now collaborate, assess, and implement strategies as a team, like no other time prior, to further increase the social and academic well being of our students.
While I knew that technology had become a fundamental part of education, it wasn't until this class that I realized just how integrated, connected, and even dependent on it that we've become. I learned that the digital era is here to stay and must have its own place within the scope of a principal's vision.
As we move closer to our goal, these are some of the questions we should be asking ourselves...
How well prepared am I to lead the learners of the 21st century?
Where will I find additional technological resources?
What does a techno culture at school look like?
Does the use of technology alter the classroom teacher's role?
Do I have a plan in place for communicating my technological vision?
Have I assessed my own technological comfort level and risk tolerance?
What does my digital footprint say about me?
Reflecting on these questions will be the first step in preparing ourselves for the fundamental shift that is currently taking place as we simultaneously enter both the dawn of our administrative careers and that of the new digital learning world. How ready are you?
~~~~~TaKe ThE tEaChEr ChAlLeNgE!~~~~~
Monday, July 6, 2015
Monday, June 29, 2015
Essential Question- The Art of Effective Communication
According to Kathy Walker, in Communication Basics...
How many times have you said and meant one thing only for it to be turned around and misconstrued?
How many times has someone looked at you only to ask what's wrong?
Have you ever left a discussion still clueless and in the dark as to what's really going on?
What about that blog, did you say all you wanted to say? In the way you wanted to say it? The first time?
As defined by the Business Dictionary, "Effective communication is a two way information sharing process which involves one party sending a message that is easily understood by the receiving party."
In today's world, there are a number of different ways we can communicate with others. However, with so many different ways it's very easy for our messages to get lost in translation. Effective communication to me means first understanding your listener's background. This will help determine everything from your vocabulary and the examples you use, to even your manner of dress.
When determining how you want your audience to see you, the difference between business or casual can often impact the way you're perceived as well as the strength and tone of your message.
Knowing what your listener needs and is looking for is also another crucial aspect of effective communication in that it will determine aspects regarding your use of body language, tone, and level of professionalism. While speech may be the dominant form of communication that we may think of, oftentimes, it's not so much what we say as it is how we say it? How many times have you heard that one? Body language is another area that is often overlooked. Are you able to project a strong, knowledgeable presence when the time comes? How about a laid back, more open one? What does an active, engaged listener look like?
Finally, as we move further into the 21st century, the biggest and most current barrier to effective communication is the divide between the digital natives and the digital immigrants. The ability for these two groups to meet on common ground and speak each other's language has never been so necessary and paramount to the continuing success of our society. Moving forward, as leaders, if we are going to reach and engage our students then we need to know how to speak their lingo. We must understood and utilize the tools with which they use to speak, self-identify, and communicate with. By doing so, we can also learn how these 21st century learners analyze and synthesize information in order to better prepare them for their futures.
Just the other day, a student came to me and said he wanted to be a YouTube star. I was like, "WTF! ROTFLMAO! That's stupid!" But, did you know, according to celebritynetworth.com, YouTuber Pewdiepie rakes in an estimated $7 million a year for his videos.
These are the digital natives...
Communication- simple yet complex, easy to do, easy to blunder. We send from 100 to 300 messages a day. These include the messages we intend to send; the message we actually send; the message as the hearer interprets it; the response of the hearer based on what he or she heard; and our reaction to the exchange of words, meaning and interpretation.How many times have you been lost for words unable to convey your message?
How many times have you said and meant one thing only for it to be turned around and misconstrued?
How many times has someone looked at you only to ask what's wrong?
Have you ever left a discussion still clueless and in the dark as to what's really going on?
What about that blog, did you say all you wanted to say? In the way you wanted to say it? The first time?
As defined by the Business Dictionary, "Effective communication is a two way information sharing process which involves one party sending a message that is easily understood by the receiving party."
In today's world, there are a number of different ways we can communicate with others. However, with so many different ways it's very easy for our messages to get lost in translation. Effective communication to me means first understanding your listener's background. This will help determine everything from your vocabulary and the examples you use, to even your manner of dress.
When determining how you want your audience to see you, the difference between business or casual can often impact the way you're perceived as well as the strength and tone of your message.
Knowing what your listener needs and is looking for is also another crucial aspect of effective communication in that it will determine aspects regarding your use of body language, tone, and level of professionalism. While speech may be the dominant form of communication that we may think of, oftentimes, it's not so much what we say as it is how we say it? How many times have you heard that one? Body language is another area that is often overlooked. Are you able to project a strong, knowledgeable presence when the time comes? How about a laid back, more open one? What does an active, engaged listener look like?
Finally, as we move further into the 21st century, the biggest and most current barrier to effective communication is the divide between the digital natives and the digital immigrants. The ability for these two groups to meet on common ground and speak each other's language has never been so necessary and paramount to the continuing success of our society. Moving forward, as leaders, if we are going to reach and engage our students then we need to know how to speak their lingo. We must understood and utilize the tools with which they use to speak, self-identify, and communicate with. By doing so, we can also learn how these 21st century learners analyze and synthesize information in order to better prepare them for their futures.
Just the other day, a student came to me and said he wanted to be a YouTube star. I was like, "WTF! ROTFLMAO! That's stupid!" But, did you know, according to celebritynetworth.com, YouTuber Pewdiepie rakes in an estimated $7 million a year for his videos.
These are the digital natives...
Thursday, June 25, 2015
A Principal's Perspective on the Impact of Technology
Today, we were fortunate to have the opportunity to speak with Shira Woolf Cohen, the principal of New Foundations Charter School, a K-12 school located right here in Philadelphia. During the discussion, Ms. Woolf Cohen made several pertinent points regarding the impact of technology both in and out of the classroom. She also stressed the point that every district and principal is different, and while there are policies in place, principals tend to vary on their level of adherence to them.
When it comes to the hiring process, Ms. Woolf Cohen admitted that she does browse the internet for a perspective employees digital footprint. While she encourages a digital presence, she emphasized that she tries to put what she finds into context and not allow it to completely influence her decision one way or another. Rather, she recommends to complete the hiring process by bringing the candidate in for an interview.
Although I liked Ms. Woolf Cohen's upbeat and enthusiastic attitude, I can't help but feel that she might be a little too lenient in this area. One example that she gave was the image she found of a potential candidate on the beach in a bikini smoking a cigarette. Unfortunately, in today's world of increasing accountability and the ever growing spotlight on teachers, and while such an image reflects nothing on an individual's skills, it's the perception of that image that conflicts with the idea of teachers as role models. There are countless websites, such as this one here found on Forbes.com, that describes how such digital faux pas will prevent you from even getting your foot in the door.
As a future principal, I am well aware of the increasing expectations that will be placed upon me. When you combine these expectations with the lack of available jobs in the current economy, as the hiring manager I couldn't help but feel that I would be at an advantage in that I could set the standard for which I were to judge the candidates. This level of professionalism would also set the tone for my building. It also prevents any lash back in the event this individual causes future controversy.
This teacher's situation brings up many great questions regarding the use of social media, the right to privacy, and the expectations of teachers.
Another area that Ms. Woolf Cohen touched on was using technology as a data mining tool to enhance instruction, determine attendance patterns, and identify other areas in need of reform. A great example of this is our weekly grade group meetings that we have at Solis Cohen. In the meetings, we have an opportunity to pull and analyze student data from various computer based learning programs that we have in place. After we evaluate the data, we then adjust our instruction accordingly. Each week, we then rinse and repeat.
Victoria L. Bernhardt, in her article, No Schools Left Behind, further elaborates on ways that principals can data-mine to increase student achievement.
When it comes to the hiring process, Ms. Woolf Cohen admitted that she does browse the internet for a perspective employees digital footprint. While she encourages a digital presence, she emphasized that she tries to put what she finds into context and not allow it to completely influence her decision one way or another. Rather, she recommends to complete the hiring process by bringing the candidate in for an interview.
Although I liked Ms. Woolf Cohen's upbeat and enthusiastic attitude, I can't help but feel that she might be a little too lenient in this area. One example that she gave was the image she found of a potential candidate on the beach in a bikini smoking a cigarette. Unfortunately, in today's world of increasing accountability and the ever growing spotlight on teachers, and while such an image reflects nothing on an individual's skills, it's the perception of that image that conflicts with the idea of teachers as role models. There are countless websites, such as this one here found on Forbes.com, that describes how such digital faux pas will prevent you from even getting your foot in the door.
As a future principal, I am well aware of the increasing expectations that will be placed upon me. When you combine these expectations with the lack of available jobs in the current economy, as the hiring manager I couldn't help but feel that I would be at an advantage in that I could set the standard for which I were to judge the candidates. This level of professionalism would also set the tone for my building. It also prevents any lash back in the event this individual causes future controversy.
This teacher's situation brings up many great questions regarding the use of social media, the right to privacy, and the expectations of teachers.
Victoria L. Bernhardt, in her article, No Schools Left Behind, further elaborates on ways that principals can data-mine to increase student achievement.
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
...On Digital Citizenship in the Core Curriculum
As technology use will only increase and become even more integrated into our daily lives, I feel it is imperative that all students become competent and responsible in its use and not just those who can readily afford it. It would be an injustice for 21st century learners to leave school ill equipped to handle their common digital interactions.
However, this digital divide is exactly what is happening and in his book, The Digital Condition, Rob Wilkie describes how this divide, as a result of access, is exponentially increasing the gap between the haves and the have-nots. Therefore, to ensure that all students have an opportunity to compete in the global world, digital literacy should be mandated and all students should have free access to digital tools. Otherwise, and we see it happening now, many students will enter the workforce lacking the 21st century skills employers demand.
The employment titan Manpower reports that despite the recession
31 percent of employers throughout the world struggle to find qualified
workers because of “a talent mismatch between workers’ qualifications and
the specific skill sets and combinations of skills employers want.”
(http://thoughtfullearning.com/resources/what-are-21st-century-skills)
While I think nearly everyone can agree on the benefits of implementing a digital literacy curriculum, the big question becomes, where will the money come from? The School District of Philadelphia, for instance, a district that serves a large portion of economically disadvantaged students, continuously finds itself in a monetary deficit which results in more programs and resources being taken away. In Utah just last year, legislators there determined that supplying all public and charter students with a digital tablet wasn't worth the cost (https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/no-money-school-tech-plan-191449226--finance.html).
Until policymakers come to terms with the changing educational landscape and actively seek out solutions to equip all students with the skills necessary to compete in the global marketplace, then unfortunately many of our most vulnerable citizens will be left out of the realm of advancement and competition.
According to the most recent Funding Gap report by the non-profit group
The Education Trust, many states still provide the least amount of funding
to school districts serving students with the greatest needs.(http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wherewestand/reports/finance/how-do-we-fund-our-schools/?p=197)
However, this digital divide is exactly what is happening and in his book, The Digital Condition, Rob Wilkie describes how this divide, as a result of access, is exponentially increasing the gap between the haves and the have-nots. Therefore, to ensure that all students have an opportunity to compete in the global world, digital literacy should be mandated and all students should have free access to digital tools. Otherwise, and we see it happening now, many students will enter the workforce lacking the 21st century skills employers demand.
The employment titan Manpower reports that despite the recession
31 percent of employers throughout the world struggle to find qualified
workers because of “a talent mismatch between workers’ qualifications and
the specific skill sets and combinations of skills employers want.”
(http://thoughtfullearning.com/resources/what-are-21st-century-skills)
While I think nearly everyone can agree on the benefits of implementing a digital literacy curriculum, the big question becomes, where will the money come from? The School District of Philadelphia, for instance, a district that serves a large portion of economically disadvantaged students, continuously finds itself in a monetary deficit which results in more programs and resources being taken away. In Utah just last year, legislators there determined that supplying all public and charter students with a digital tablet wasn't worth the cost (https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/no-money-school-tech-plan-191449226--finance.html).
Until policymakers come to terms with the changing educational landscape and actively seek out solutions to equip all students with the skills necessary to compete in the global marketplace, then unfortunately many of our most vulnerable citizens will be left out of the realm of advancement and competition.
According to the most recent Funding Gap report by the non-profit group
The Education Trust, many states still provide the least amount of funding
to school districts serving students with the greatest needs.(http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wherewestand/reports/finance/how-do-we-fund-our-schools/?p=197)
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