Monthly+Internship+Reflection+-+January+2011

The focus of this month was analyzing the technological infrastructure of the school and seeing how it could be improved. Due to the scheduling conflicts of the first week back at school we didn't really focus on anything other than the standards that dealt with my students. I felt that it was important that I met with the students who were identified by Gradespeed as having difficulties and talking about what they and I can do to improve their overall classroom experience. I reminded them of the times outside of class time that the lab was available to them if they needed to come in to get help, complete assignments or to do other school related activities. I found that many students made use of the extra time that I gave them in the lab,and those who truly needed help would come. For the rest of the month I held discussion with my mentor about certain things that can be brought into the school to upgrade the technology use on the campus. One of the resources that was identified were the tablet and the e-reader. While talking to my mentor I got an idea which I discussed with her and got her approval. We decided that having the students research and present how feasible it would be to bring these instruments into the school would be a good way of getting them to invest in their school and learn how much factors play a role in campus improvement. Many times they complain about a lack of certain equipment and a activity such as this one would go a long way into showing them what it takes to not only acquire new technology but to configure it to the needs of the school. The students were given until the second week of February to complete the project and they would present their findings to not only myself but to a panel that was made up of administrators, teachers, and my mentor who is also the school's technologist. The students responded to this project well and were really invested in taking a concept and making it into a reality. I feel that they will put together some great presentations and I look forward to seeing their finished products. As the kids worked, I went around and helped the various student groups in the class. I made sure that they stayed focused on the task, kept in mind the acceptable technology use of the district and was aware of the technological setup of the campus.


 * Standards Met:** TF – I. B, TF-II.A, TF-III.C, TF-III.D, TF-V.B, TF-VI.E, TF-VIII.E