EDLD 5363 Week 5 Blog Post on PSA

Week 5 --PSA projectOur team was effective in the pre-production stage of our project by quickly brainstorming ideas about what our PSA topic would be. We also signed up for jobs and set due dates for each part of the production project. We each determined who would take on the responsibility that we felt our skills would be most effective. 

During the production phase, we continued to communicate via Google+ to ensure we were meeting our deadlines and fulfilling our tasks.  The shot and editing selection was largely handled by our teammate Robert since he had the most experience with using Adobe Premier.  He mentioned that the editing selection changed various times since the limit was 60 seconds, and we had plenty of footage between all of the video clips we provided to him. To keep the video consistent, we had to eliminate or reduce some of the footage. Robert did his best to keep as much footage as he could. Now I realize what some editors must go through and what the actors and videographers feel when their work does not get included in a movie.

We agreed that the web delivery formatting decisions would be to upload on to YouTube since it was the easiest. Additionally, YouTube is the most commonly used free video hosting site and most videos are readily accessible within seconds, whereas other hosting sites such as TeacherTube requires at least a 24-hour waiting period before it could be viewed. 

Our final PSA is a project I am proud to say I was a part of and I know we put a lot of work into the video. We did encounter some problems. For example, we had some problems using Audacity for several reasons-it was difficult to install the LAME encoder and use in order to export to the MP3 format.  It became a multi-step problem to solve, and in the end the audio quality was lacking.  We learned that the proper equipment is a must in order to achieve optimal sound.  One teammate mentioned that Sonar would have been a better choice. It still could use some improvement as far as the ending. I feel that it was sped up towards the end to be able to fit in the credits and creative commons slides. Including the slides with the copyright attributions took up more of the 60 seconds but we made sure we gave credit to everyone who put in the hard work to create the parts that we used in the video. From the background music and sound effects, to the video that gave us the topic idea and all the little people who were in our video, we made sure to give credit where credit was due. In the end our creative commons slide helped ensure we will get credit too.

EDLD 5363_Reflection on Week 5 Web Conference

For our Week 5 web conference, I was found out that we did not have to do discussion boards for Weeks 4 & 5.  However, I had already posted my quotes for these weeks.  I was so glad to know from Dr. Abernathy that we do not have a final exam reflection paper due since it seemed to disappear from EPIC.  This was of great concern to me because I could not find any questions listed in the document. It only showed the rubric.  These errors have occurred before in other courses, and it can be extremely frustrating when I am trying to complete my assignments and cannot find the necessary information to complete my work.  I am glad that Dr. Abernathy informed us of the error and stated we did not have to do it.  

I was very surprised by the following in the web conference.  A student asked a question about how to do our week 5 blog post requirement and what do we submit because he/she couldn’t find a Word document that we type on and submit.  I was surprised that Dr. Abernathy posted on the chat “Someone help her know how to turn in the link to the reflections on web conferences in week 5!” Another student from a different section did help the student by explaining, “go to edit your blog and click on each one, copy your link and paste into your epic assignment for all web reflections.”

EDLD 5363_Reflection on PSA Pre-Production for Week 4

I have truly enjoyed working with my group on our PSA production. Through one of my team members, I learned about Google +.  I have never heard of it nor used it prior to this project.  Using Google + has helped make the collaboration a lot more fun and entertaining, because we have been able to use the “hangouts” to do live video chats to get to know each other.  Additionally, we have been collaborating via Google docs, Google +, emails and text and have all shared some great ideas about the PSA.  Each of us has taken on different roles and tasks we felt we could accomplish, although we are all working together as a team.  Throughout the pre-production process, the team members have thought about other ideas to use in the PSA that I feel have been awesome, and I believe that our PSA will turn out great. 

EDLD 5363 Reflection on Week 2 Web Conferences

I generally do not enjoy getting on the web conferences.  There is always some sort of audio problem or too many people are having personal chats that it is hard to follow the school related questions.  I decided to join tonight’s conference and found that it was no different because the presenter’s connection got lost and I got knocked offline.  The few moments I was on the conference, I did get a few of my concerns answered.  I found out that for Week 2 assignment, we only needed to do a podcast and not a video.  The podcast length should be no more than 2 minutes.  I also was pleased to know that we are only required to post 2 reflections for the entire class.  The reflections can be any two web conferences we attend during this class.  Also, I found out that for our group PSA project that we need to collaborate with members of our section.  I will have to use the discussion board as a way to communicate with my fellow classmates.

EDLD 5363 Week 1 Reflection_Script creation for personal digital story

Our project for Week 1 was to create a personal digital photo story.  I was extremely nervous about this project, because I generally do not like expressing myself openly.  In addition, I struggle to put my thoughts in writing.  I read the Digital Storybook Cookbook to help get me started.  Many of the suggestions seemed to be geared towards personal things or events.  I felt like it was to be something emotionally gripping... something, I'm generally not interested in doing.  I did have a recent event that I considered doing which was the recent loss of a family member.  But after viewing photographs of my nephew, it was emotionally difficult to try to narrate a story.  After days of pondering, I decided to do a more positive digital story on thanking those who have supported me during the difficult times.  This digital story was more comforting and helped me to reflect on the influences that certain people have had in my life. 

EDLD 5363 Reflection on Week 1 Web Conferences

This week I was unable to attend any of the conference due to extended working hours.  Fortunately, the recordings are posted on EPIC so I had an opportunity to review the conferences.  I was thrilled to learn that for Week 2 assignment we would work with the same partner we collaborated with on our Week 1 assignment.  I have enjoyed working with my classmate Tamara during several other courses. We work very well together, share ideas with one another and provide the necessary feedback to help make working on any assignment a lot easier.  She also has a great sense of humor too.  I also learned that for Weeks 3, 4 and 5, we would have group project and would need to collaborate with a minimum of 4 people to complete the remaining assignments.  Other concerns in the web conferences pertained to the internship and Dr. Abernathy provided answers.   

Review of policies and procedures for mentoring programs

What I learned in reviewing my district’s mentoring initiative is that Galena Park ISD offers the BTIMP Grant Mentor program. The goal of the program is to provide each new teacher consistent, ongoing support during their first year and second year of employment in Galena Park ISD.  After completion of formal training, Grant Mentors will assist new teachers in the areas of school specific procedures and policies, acculturation and observation/feedback.

Galena Park ISD also offers another mentoring initiative known as the Home Grown Teacher Program.  This is a program offered to former graduates of Galena Park ISD.  Participants of this program must be currently enrolled in a junior college or university and pursuing a career in teaching education. The primary purpose for a Home Grown participant is to assist teacher in preparation, deliver and management of classroom activities and administrative requirements and works under supervision of certified teacher.

Interview on recruitment and retention

For e-portfolio--Domain II, Competency 6

In an interview I conducted with an administrator regarding the recruitment and retention of quality staff at a school, I learned that recruitment of quality staff at the schools is very similar to other districts.  Many school districts offer competitive pension plans.  Salaries and incentive pays for teaching in a specialized or area of need can be another way that districts use to help recruit high-quality teachers.  School districts offer a mentorship programs to many, if not all, first-year teachers.

I learned that retention of quality staff at the school can be similar but also different.  There are different reasons that a teacher leaves.  For example, some leave to raise a family, living too far from work, taking care of a family member with a terminal illness or any number of other reasons.  Some schools have offered a few teachers an opportunity for flexible hours by working part-time.  If there is a conflict of interest, a meeting is conducted to find out in what ways or areas the teacher and administration make improvements for the work environment to be more conducive.

As a prospective principal, I discovered some interesting ideas that would impact my recruitment activities.  Collaboration is one great way for retaining high-quality teachers.  Most often when a teacher works in a positive work environment, the teacher is likely to remain on campus.  When administration provides encouragement, support and collaboration, a teacher is more willing to go to great lengths to continue working and supporting their administration.  Also, it is important to recruit teachers that are certified in a specialized area, and it’s a bonus when teachers are certified in more than one area.  Many schools, particularly Title I schools, recruit teachers who are certified in bilingual or special education.  This is an area that is growing at such a rapid pace that many teachers are willing to become certified in these areas.

Code of Ethics Mind Walk

For e-portfolio--Domain I, Competency 3

In reviewing each of the ethical standards under each of the three main areas of Chapter 247 of the TAC, here were some examples where I could identify at least one ethical conflict in each of the three areas of the Code:

1.  Overall professional ethical conduct, practices and performance that may result in a complaint could be accepting gift cards from a parent.  Often times, students offer their teacher’s some form of gifts during Christmas season, Valentine’s Day, a birthday or end of the year as a way to show their appreciation and gratitude.  However, some gifts that are offered, such as a gift card, can be in violation of this standard as it may impair professional judgment.

2.  Unethical conduct toward professional colleagues occurs frequently “under the radar.”  Many times school staff and administration do not agree on several ideas or decisions.  When this happens, observations are made about the “favoritism’” that is given to colleagues who agree with the majority.  This begins to create a sense of competition amongst colleagues, tension and animosity towards others, a sense of being discriminated, and creates a lower morale in the workplace.

3.  Unethical conduct toward students also occurs frequently “under the radar.”  One example is keeping a student from participation in a program such as an enrichment program, because the student frequently fails to turn in a homework assignment.  One of the most unethical conduct towards students is to solicit or engage in sexual conduct or a romantic relationship with a student.  Media reports nationwide have covered such unethical conduct from teachers, substitutes, paraprofessionals and administrators.

Describe the possible consequences of personnel engaging in any of the above ethical conflicts.

The possible consequence of personnel engaging in any of the above ethical conflicts are requiring the withdrawal of person from educator preparation program; place restrictions on the issuance, renewal or holding of a certificate, either indefinitely or for a set term; issue an inscribed reprimand, published censure that appears on the face of the educator’s official certification records; issue a non-inscribed reprimand, unpublished censure that does not appear on educator’s official certification records; suspend a certificate for a set term; or revoke or cancel a certificate without opportunity for reapplication for a set term or permanently.

Using one of the above conflicts as an example, describe how you would respond to the conflict as a campus principal.

As a campus principal, I would respond to the conflict as set by the state and district guidelines and policies.  I must act with integrity, fairness, and in a legal and ethical manner.  I would meet with the staff member who has been alleged of the conflict to conduct an investigation into the accusations.  If found to be factual, then, I would begin due process.