Week 1 Technology Responses and Reflections

Certainly this is ironic, but yesterday I experienced my very first computer virus. The virus looked like a pop up advertisement stating a serious virus was entering my computer. I closed the warning. Bingo. That was just one of the moves that would activate the worm. I did not know really what to do except begin the on demand scan from the software that is loaded on the laptop. It did not help. So, I learned more than I bargined for and I think this happens in the technology world, no matter our profession.

The Technology Applications Inventory might be able to skim the surface of the four strands of Foundations, Information Acquisition, Solving Problems, and Communication. However, the speed at which technology evolves can catch anyone in a weak moment of surprise and not knowing exactly what to do. For the foundations category, I ranked myself 17 out of 18. For the other three, I felt 100% proficient in each. However, after my experience, I am not so confident.

For the SETDA survey, I choose the one as the teacher. The questions that impressed me the most were the ones asking about data being collected to determine some facet of technology. As a secondary math curriculum coach, I am data driven daily. One goal is to track the technology being used in the classroom. Another is to evaluate new tools. Then, we face the old problem of out with the old, in with the new. This forces us to continually research appropriate software and then prepare professional development for the teachers. They are not always receptive, which makes our job even more challenging. Without a doubt, however, data does show the students more engaged when technology is available.