Standard+I


 * TF-I Technology Operations and Concepts**

Educational technology facilitators demonstrate an in-depth understanding of technology operations and concepts.

“All technology leaders and facilitators must possess expertise in technology operations and concepts. They are also expected to build technical proficiency among their fellow educators. In this standard, the difference between technology facilitators and leaders is determined by skill level. Technology facilitators are expected to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of technology operations and concepts, whereas leaders are expected to perform at a more advanced level” (Williamson, & Redish, 2009).

I believe this standard is the primary reason why I have chosen this degree plan. I have a tremendous drive to excel and succeed in everything that I do. I have been very intrigued with technology, computers, and gadgets. I am not sure who coined the phrase “He who has the most toys, wins”, but that is very typical of my interest in technology and it has been since the early 90’s. I have been fascinated with what computers can do for mankind and how efficient and organized they can help in our daily lives. Next fall, I will have a new job title and responsibility which is the assistant to the Campus Technology Specialist. This position will be all about helping teachers and staff implement technology to help them maximize their productivity and also to increase their students’ knowledge of hardware and software. After completing EDLD-5368 Instructional Design, this course really put in perspective what our jobs as technology facilitators and leaders are all about, which is to take technology, and design curriculum to create higher learning components combined with powerful and ever-changing web 2.0 tools to meet the learning needs of the 21st Century students. “Teachers who understand how multiple components work together to make the learning activity possible have been found to be more successful in implementing technology than teachers whose knowledge of technology operations and concepts is less evolved and more discrete (Zhao et al., 2002).

Being able to utilize many of the web 2.0 tools and help teachers understand how to use them in their specific classroom setting as it pertains to their subject, is paramount. I truly believe, that it is not enough just to know how to use a program like Microsoft Excel or to be able to create a blog, but rather, how to implement these tools into a lesson that will cause students to collaborate and think at very high levels.  That is what using these tools to their maximum capabilities is what teachers and administrators are striving for.

 One of the issues I have about all of this technology and information is just that. Can we have too much information and too much technology that we are on "technology overload"? I know we need to press on with ever changing tools, but we also need to get comfortable and experienced with something and be able to implement tools that are familiar to us for utilization in the classroom.

References Williamson, J. & Redish, T. (2009). //Technology Facilitation and Leadership Standards: What every K-12 leader should know and be able to do.// Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.

Zhao, Y., Pugh, K., Sheldon, S., & Byers, J. (2002). Conditions for classroom technology innovations. //Teachers College Record,// 104, 489-490.