Module+5+Reflection


 * // Reflection Prompt 5: //**// Reflect on your week as a technology user in the classroom. //

Instead of focusing this reflection on technology assessment and professional development (which I already explained my experiences at length in the discussion group), I thought that this module reflection could focus on an interesting technology challenge that I will embark upon. This task came up quite unexpectedly, as I joined a "Continuous Improvement" committee at the college as a new member, not knowing what I would be getting into. Now that I am becoming versed in the TPACK framework and NETS standard, I realize that this committee's work is perfect not only for contributions to this class, but for my growth in real-world application of Instructional Technology.

In brief, the committee is about determining content, creating training materials, implementing, and evaluating training workshops for the faculty & staff. These workshops have a wide range of general appeal, such as effective problem solving, improving interpersonal communication, how to brainstorm for ideas, and so on. The committee offers one or two workshops each semester, our first one however is in just less than two weeks!

The committee consists of six faculty & staff. It was decided that half of the group would determine the content and training materials while the remaining three folks would work together to integrate technology for effective delivery of the content, assessment, and avail the training materials to others who missed the workshop. While the "content" and "technology" groups met separately to accomplish their charges, it was imperative that we came back together to put both content and technology into context. For instance, it is difficult to choose content (and especially pedagogy) without considering how technology could improve its delivery. Likewise, choosing technology without a clear idea of content areas and pedagogy would result in choosing the wrong tool to deliver the content. As stated in the __Handbook of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Educators__, "introducing technology complicates the processes of teaching ... that there is not 'one way' that will work for everyone" (2008). Not only must the Technology group implement technology that makes sense for the content, but the teacher must be comfortable with its use and perceived effectiveness as well.

Since I am pursuing Instructional Technology to become a facilitator, leader, or teacher one day, I became the leader of the Technology group. During our meeting, we decided that each person would have a charge, those being Communication, Coordination, and Technology. The Communication person in our group would decide how to announce & conclude the workshop, how to perform assessment, collect questions, and decide if further training is needed. This person also uploads the training materials and videos to a shared site. The Coordination person decides when is best to offer the event, work with departments to secure a room, gain approval of subject matter, basically handle all of the "details" to make it happen. This person would also find ways to motivate the attendees to come, to stay, and to enjoy the workshop. Lastly the Technology person (myself) would choose and implement technology needed for the workshop. In this scenario, I would create a video that is organized by chapters, accompanied by a PowerPoint, the result of which posted on the shared site for others to benefit from. Once our group meets with the Content group, I would then find other technologies that could work with subject area and pedagogical methods chosen.

As you can see, this project is quite exciting though it feels like a mountain of work to implement. While I am not concerned so much about applying TPACK to this scenario, I worry more about coordinating the work with everyone else in the committee. I am not the committee leader, though somehow I feel responsible for ensuring that the project is technically designed and implemented effectively. Again, just having technology involved doesn't guarantee an improved, more effective workshop. Technology only works when it has a distinct place in the content, that it is a natural way to communicate content. To combat this fear, I intend to stay in close contact with everyone. Instead passively recording the workshop and making a technically impressive video out of it, I will especially work with the Content group to find out what they are teaching, how they are teaching it, and how I could suggest technology that could improve its delivery. Trying to juggle this work with my existing job as a technology support person will be no easy task! As the Technology group chooses and implements technology, it is important that I show the subgroup how it's done, to form a learning community within the committee as much as possible. This way the committee can continue pursuit of technology integration in future endeavors, even when I may no longer be part of that committee. It will be an interesting semester!