Spring 2014 flew by. The multiple snow and ice days that we had in Atlanta had me stranded in my house quite a bit. This provided me with a great opportunity to do a lot of grad school work. Being that I am pregnant and due with my first baby March 30, I welcomed the extra work time and did not go out in the snow. I am from Ohio and experience a lot snow when I visit my family back at home!
The first course I took this semester was ISTE7305, Data Analysis and School Improvement. My school has recently placed a lot of emphasis on Data collection, so this course closely matched my realities in my career. The course textbook was even the one my Assistant Principal used to structure our Data Teams. I found that my school is ahead of the game in its data collection practices and requirements. When Data Teams were revamped, it was apparent that our administration followed specific guidelines that I reflected on in the course. They set a purpose for data teams and set a schedule of meeting every other week to discuss progress. They also started requiring us to take further look at quarterly progress of our students through recording student achievement in multiple areas, during multiple times in the year. Through this course, I was able to reflect on the fact that one must find a way to be an effective teacher by finding ways to improve. Data is the solution to many learner-centered problems.
One aspect to this course that I surprisingly enjoyed was the analysis of multiple charts and graphs to closely look at data. The Data Overview project was one that took multiple hours of work, but allowed me to see my school’s progress on the statewide test, the CRCT, on a wider level. It allowed me to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses as a whole within my school, as well as grade levels. I came up with conclusions that gave me an understanding as to why my school shifted focus on mathematics instruction over the past few years. Our School Strategic Plan closely reflects the results that I determined in the Data Overview. In order to see positive change in a school, leaders and policy makers much be realistic about changes that are anticipated to be made and make sure that initiatives are not conflicting with one another. I will say I now look at the data collection process in a different light at the end of this course. Data will only become more important as society moves on in the 21st Century.
During the Spring 2014 semester, I also had the opportunity to take the final course in my Reading Endorsement, EDRD7718, Content Area Reading and Writing. I know that with the Common Core Standards, a huge emphasis is put on integrating the content areas. I was excited to see how this particular course would successfully impact my teaching. I learned that I had an idea of how to effectively integrate literacy in the content areas, but this course allowed me to truly plan and implement a cross-curricular unit that incorporated all academic areas. As a collaborative effort, I created a thematic unit for elementary aged students. I learned that integrating literacy across multiple content areas helps both students and teachers. Teachers are able to be more effective in their teaching, and students are able to carry their learning throughout the days and weeks.
The first course I took this semester was ISTE7305, Data Analysis and School Improvement. My school has recently placed a lot of emphasis on Data collection, so this course closely matched my realities in my career. The course textbook was even the one my Assistant Principal used to structure our Data Teams. I found that my school is ahead of the game in its data collection practices and requirements. When Data Teams were revamped, it was apparent that our administration followed specific guidelines that I reflected on in the course. They set a purpose for data teams and set a schedule of meeting every other week to discuss progress. They also started requiring us to take further look at quarterly progress of our students through recording student achievement in multiple areas, during multiple times in the year. Through this course, I was able to reflect on the fact that one must find a way to be an effective teacher by finding ways to improve. Data is the solution to many learner-centered problems.
One aspect to this course that I surprisingly enjoyed was the analysis of multiple charts and graphs to closely look at data. The Data Overview project was one that took multiple hours of work, but allowed me to see my school’s progress on the statewide test, the CRCT, on a wider level. It allowed me to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses as a whole within my school, as well as grade levels. I came up with conclusions that gave me an understanding as to why my school shifted focus on mathematics instruction over the past few years. Our School Strategic Plan closely reflects the results that I determined in the Data Overview. In order to see positive change in a school, leaders and policy makers much be realistic about changes that are anticipated to be made and make sure that initiatives are not conflicting with one another. I will say I now look at the data collection process in a different light at the end of this course. Data will only become more important as society moves on in the 21st Century.
During the Spring 2014 semester, I also had the opportunity to take the final course in my Reading Endorsement, EDRD7718, Content Area Reading and Writing. I know that with the Common Core Standards, a huge emphasis is put on integrating the content areas. I was excited to see how this particular course would successfully impact my teaching. I learned that I had an idea of how to effectively integrate literacy in the content areas, but this course allowed me to truly plan and implement a cross-curricular unit that incorporated all academic areas. As a collaborative effort, I created a thematic unit for elementary aged students. I learned that integrating literacy across multiple content areas helps both students and teachers. Teachers are able to be more effective in their teaching, and students are able to carry their learning throughout the days and weeks.