How Does Professional Growth and Leadership Promote Learning?

Wow! I create today's entry with a mind overflowing with ideas, but not in any logical order. Therefore, I'll start with questions relating to this national technology standard--Engaging in Professional Growth and Leadership. As I completed research led by my instructor, (thank goodness for guidance) I think about the following questions:

What are local and global learning communities in my field of education?

So far local and global communities are intertwined as I use my account for Delicious which is a website that educators can gather information for education, technology, etc simply by bookmarking. This website also gives educators the opportunity to have network of others to use to gather even more information. (I'm excited about this technology tool, but still a little overwhelmed using it--practice makes perfect.) In addition to delicious, there is another website, Classroom 2.0 which I became a member that connects educators together to blog and share idea about web tools. I think Classroom 2.0 give me support from local and global educators when I begin using web tools such as wiki and RSS--this leads to my next question.


What creative applications of technology did you learn to improve student learning?

So far I have been introduced to such technology tools such as wiki which is a collaborative web page that students could use to collaborate for learning and teaching others. I haven't decided which wiki site to use; therefore, I didn't put a link--yet. Another tech tool is the RSS or Really Simple Syndication which is simply called a reader. It lets teachers and students subscribe to their favorite website and be update with everything new on those sites. Again, I haven't chosen a "reader" yet so I don't have a link. (It's coming soon.) Moving on...


What technology tools help you be an effective educational leader?

So far I don't feel like a leader, more like a follower; however, this blog when I share my investigation with others creates a leadership role in a sense. Also when I begin to implement such technology as wiki so that my students can collaborate, I will be providing leadership for my students. Moving on and combining the next three questions...


What are technology tools that help you evaluate and reflect on research and professional practice as well as give a good source of information that can help you, other teachers, your school, and community?

Definitely, Delicious and Classroom 2.0 are good sources for information as well as helping me reflect on professional practices. As I dig in deeper into using these technology tools, I'll be able to share my investigation with students, peers, and my learning community. (Maybe at the next staff meeting, I should invite other staff members to visit my blog?)