Kim Woodard

Observation Experience

     The observations were not an easy requirement for me to complete.  I am the only technology teacher on my campus and therefore was required to take some personal time from school to complete this task.  I continued to put this off, but finally took a few days to go to other districts and observe some of their technology applications classes.  The classes I was able to observe were a desktop publishing and two multimedia classes.
     As I look back, I really dreaded having to find the time and place to observe other technology applications classes.  I guess this mainly came from the fact that we did not have any other technology teachers on our campus and that it is usually hard for me to call on other teachers and ask them if I can come in their classroom.  However, in the end, I think I actually enjoyed the experience of being able to see what other technology teachers do in the classroom.  I liked the fact that I was able to discuss not only the class I was observing, but also the other technology application classes, the software, textbooks, and other resources they feel are beneficial.
     One of the things I learned from this experience is that even though we all have the same TEKS to cover for our classes, technology is one of the most lenient areas in the school system.  In other words, we cover the topics at hand, just maybe not in the same manner or with the same resources, software, and hardware.  This is one of the few areas in the school system where the teacher can give an assignment and have the students achieve success in a variety of ways.
     Another thing I learned is that very few technology teachers have all the necessary components it takes to teach the classes being offered.  I realized that I am not the only teacher downloading trial versions of software because the school does not have enough funds to keep up with the ever changing needs of the technology classroom. 
     Finally, I think what I gained the most from this requirement is the fact that I now have acquaintances that I can call upon for help and ideas when the time comes.  Being the only technology teacher on my campus, there are a lot of times I come across things I would like to discuss with other technology teachers.  I now feel that I have a few more people that I can call upon when necessary.