Professional Growth and Leadership

I must admit that I have learned a lot of really amazing things over the past year, as the requirements of my graduate studies have demanded I dive in to the digital world, hook, line and sinker. Things such as what a digital story is; how to use Keynote, Comic Life, iMovie and iPods with students; how to communicate with parents using online sources; and where to find and how to use online resources have all been checked off of my "Things to learn" list. This in and of itself is sensational, but even more outstanding is that through this process, my view of technology has shifted. I used to see technology as a laborious subject area or discipline. I remember a time when viewing the words "Computers" on my agenda evoked feelings of inconvenience as I wondered what I would do with my students that day - teach them a program, a computer skill or just let them work on Successmaker or Accelerated Reader as most of my colleagues did (and still do, btw). Now, however my computer block is a precious commodity that supports my classroom learning. For me, technology has become a way to share information with students; a way to enable students to represent their learning and share it with others; a way to connect, interact and build relationships with classmates, and others; and a way to research and generate new knowledge.
I love the place I'm at with technology - don't get me wrong, there is and always will be a lot more to learn, but I now feel equipped to find the answers to any future inquiries virtually or by tapping into the various expertise my LTT PLN offers. And now that I feel connected and supported, I want to connect and support others and help them develop their own level of confidence with technology. With that in mind, my ISTE goal for this term is two fold: I hope to exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building and developing the leadership and technology skills of others (ISTE-T, 5b)and through that contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of my school and community (ISTE-T, 5d)