Course+Embedded+Reflections

EDLD 5306 II.6 I took six assessments and inventories the first week of EDLD 5306 and found them to be most enlightening. The Keirsey Temperament Sorter-II Personality Assessment categorized me as a guardian type. The Multiple Intelligence Inventory results were rather conflicting. I enjoy working with people and at times alone. I do understand self and others. The Leadership Skills Assessment showed self evaluation, humility, and openness as main character points. The Technology Literacy Self-Assessment reveal that online tutorials and videos are best for me. The Level of Technology Implementation (LoTi) Digital-Age Survey recommended professional development emphasized collaboration and use of technology tools. The Profiling Educational Technology Integration (PETI) showed I am proficient at basic technological skills; I do not have sufficient knowledge in publishing software. I cannot utilize video and audio as well as I would like. The Oregon Technology Standards encompass six main ideas. First, students learn creative thinking and problem solving skills. Secondly that students use digital media to communicate and work collaboratively, across the global community, to support continued learning for all. The third standard is that students select and apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, validate, and use information. Students will plan strategic inquiries. They will evaluate and select information tools based on appropriateness to task. Fourth is that students think critically to conduct research, manage projects, problem solve, and make informed decisions using digital technology**.** Students will be able to collect and analyze data to make informed decisions for solutions to problems. They will identify problems and questions for investigation. Fifth is that students understand societal issues pertaining to digital technology and practice legal, ethical, and responsible behavior. Lastly, students utilize technology concepts and tools to learn. Oregon Department of Education, (2008). //Oregon educational technology standards// Retrieved from []

EDLD 5301 II.6 (1) When I started to ponder the topic for my action research project I was overwhelmed. I went from no ideas on prospective topics to many ideas of topics. After reading the assignments and following the discussion on the board, I came up with a topic. I decided on a topic thast relates to my everyday duties in education and one that I am passionate about.

The topic I chose was: To study the effect of text to speech and audio devices on success in the academic environment for students with learning disabilities in reading. This is a topic I have been interested in and it is what I am involved in on a daily basis. I am the special education director and I am trying to find a better way to allow students with low reading skills at the high school level to succeed in the core classes.

I have learned a great deal in this course. The entire process of wondering and narrowing the focus has been challenging. Once I narrowed it down I am able to focus on the logistics of what needs to be done. I have been sharpening my networking skills to obtain knowledge about research in this field. Research and findings that I can use to further develop my project.

I understand that this project will evolve and change during its course. I look forward to conducting this study.

EDLD 5301 II.6 (2)

I find the collaboration with my peers in cohort 23 to be both insightful and enjoyable. These are some highly motivated, experienced, and learned teachers in this class. We have created a network using email and text messaging services. This allows us to get collaborate instantly with other members of the cohort.

I found that I got some new ideas and different perspectives on my action research topic. This allowed me to revise my plan in the early stages of development. I was given some advice and sources of resources to help me obtain existing research findings on this topic.

My meetings with my site mentor, Dr. Dave Courtney, have been extremely helpful. Together we sat down and discussed the plan I had devised. He explained some of the obstacles that I might encounter implementing this plan. We talked about solutions to these problems. We decided on this topic because we are both interested in the results. We are both encouraged by existing information on this topic. I look forward to more meetings in during this masters program.