Reflection--Role as a Technology Leader/Change Agent & Bringing About Change
ROLES
Up until a few weeks ago, I have never heard the term change agent. Now I use the term with my sixth grade students. They are currently working on writing an argumentative paper. During the process of choosing a topic, I asked them what issue bugged them and what change in people did they want to cause? I explained to them that is the role of a change agent; someone who takes the lead and works to cause a change in what people think or how they behave. I know I did not approach writing the essay like that last year, so just through this class, I was able to transfer what I learned in this class with my students.
Over the years, I have taken on a bigger and bigger role in the technology program, but this year has been non-stop tech. At times, I just want to shut my classroom door and turn off the lights, because it seems that I'm stopped numerous times a week by a teacher or my principal to help out with a tech question. Other times, I feel like, wow, this is pretty cool; all these people trust me and value my tech skills, that they come to me. I need to learn to embrace my role as a tech leader, not run away from it.
I know my strengths--not afraid to try new things, hard worker, creative in the use of tech in the classroom, and able to teach others how to integrate tech into lessons. I keep the SAMR model in mind when I add tech to a lesson, as well as my philosophy--use tech with a purpose. I also work well with others and willing to share my ideas. Right now I see myself more of a technology coach, than someone who works on the computers and infrastructure, but I'm keeping my options open.
I also know my weaknesses--I'm introverted, which causes me to back away from leading a group, I'm better in one-one or small group situations as far as helping teachers, not teaching a group of them. My other weakness is patience with other teachers who ask me questions. This seems to happen when I take the time to jot down steps of how to do something or I show a teacher how to do something several times. It makes me feel like they just want me to do it or there is a lack of trying. I know they wouldn't expect that from their students, so I get frustrated when a college doesn't expect the same effort from themselves. On the other hand, I don't want teachers to stop asking me for suggestions or help, because of my lack of patience, so that is an area of my personality that I'm highly aware of when working with my fellow co-workers.
Being the go to person at my school for tech is an aspect of my job that I do enjoy. The school I work at is not just a job for me. My school is in my neighborhood and parish, so going that extra mile to help the teachers improve their skills in order to help their students is worth every step I am taking during this tech specialist journey.
IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN
The implementation of my 1:1 Chromebook plan for 5th-8th grade is on the way. I feel like I've been walking on cloud 9, knowing how far my school has come, as far as integrating tech into daily use. The equipment arrived today, so the process of unboxing and setting up the devices and Chromebooks in the carts is the priority this week. My son and husband will work mounting the grab bars into the walls this weekend so a chain can be used to secure carts to wall. Until then, the carts will stay in the tech closet. Getting them into the classrooms Monday morning before the students arrive is the goal. It's fitting that the Chromebooks will be placed in the classrooms next week, because that's when the next cycle of testing to see who qualifies for Title III happens.
If it wasn't for this course and for the last one, where I started creating my plan, I don't know when moving to 1:1 would have happened. I still did not believe my goal was coming to life until I saw that equipment being delivered to my school. I am truly besides myself with joy! This has been such a stressful school year with more turns and twists than straight paths. Starting in August when my principal announced that she was leaving, the ever looming threat of a possible school closing, to finding out that my school will remain open, and finally truly helping my school move from shared devices to 1:1, has been one unforgettable road trip.
