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=Online Technology Learning Community = =Mary Hartman Elementary -San Antonio, Tx =

=Members =
 * Dawn- 2nd grade teacher
 * Carolyn-Campus Librarian
 * Melissa M. Martinez- Campus Technologist
 * Carla Garza- Math Specialist k-5
 * Melissa Ann Martinez- Science Specialist k-5
 * Sean Dryden- 3rd Grade
 * Erica Castillo- 4th Grade

= Purpose = The purpose of this wiki is to assist us in collaboratively planning, sharing information, communication and reflecting on our shared information. Our ultimate goal is to improve technology use and integration at our campus. To further assist you in participating in this online learning community please view the "Wikis in Plain English" video by clicking the link below. . [|Wikis in Plain English] Remember all members can edit this page so please feel welcomed to do so. You may also want to add to the list of questions, or click the Discussion Tab above this page and enter your comments.

According to 2008-2009 Campus STaR Chart data, our campus' 2 weak areas include **Teaching & Learning** and **Educator Preparation & Development**. Currently, our rating is **Develping** in both areas. For more information on our campus STaR Chart data you may want to view the presentation by clicking the **Campus STaR Chart Data** link on the top right side of this page.

What are some ways in which we can raise the areas to a higher level such as an Advanced level?

I agree with this statement. If teachers were being honest when they completed their STaR chart evaluations, I think that they would have scored themselves low in both of these areas. -- Carolyn

I agree with this statement because the Teaching and Learning aspect needs to be teamwork, involving the Teacher, student and Parent or Guardian. Besides we are all learning all the time anyway and we all are teachers at one time in our life.---Dawn Oson

I believe that the teaching and learning aspect derives form the lack of interest to learn a new technology because lots of teachers find new technology intimidating and rather than admit to the weakness it is easier to learn the basics and not grow. We have several technoogies avaliable, but the time required to develop those lessons, new ideas and engagements requires a complete knowledge and growing learning curve through professional development and team effort.--Melissa Martinez

 As a teacher with 30 years in the profession, I have seen the growth of the use of technology in the classroom. I have attended many classes at another school district that taught us a program, then expected us to do a project with the students in the classroom before credit was given. This type of learning forced me to become involved with technology in the classroom. When we are taught a new program and there is no follow up, for me, I forget what I have learned. All the classes I have taken in my new school district have been thoroughly taught and I have tried my best to follow up with the learning. I know for a fact that most teachers take the class and then never use it. I don't know how to solve this issue because one has to be motivated when learning new things. Carla Garza

I see things in a bit of a different light. The technology courses that we have taken the past few years have been great to help teachers who are not familiar with the basic uses of the technology programs (i.e. Excel, Outlook, Publlisher, etc.) I attended the training sessions instead of comping out due to the hope that I would learn some new uses/features in the programs that I am already very familiar with. Most times I did learn a few new tricks. However, being able to use the programs does not translate into the ability to be able to TEACH students how to use them or to come with lesson plan ideas that utilize these programs. I think that we can raise the scores in the Teaching and Learning domain by working in groups or in teams to develop lesson plans that utilize these programs and/or by providing sample lessons that the teachers work through to simulate the experience of our students. -Erica