|
Stamford Adult Education: Reflections on Leadership*
This reflection responds to the following questions:
Roslyn Nesin, Director , Stamford
Adult Education
Differences between
Year 1 and Year 2:
I found my role as the leader of technology implementation
easier in Year 2. I was less involved on a daily basis with the
project. The technology teacher and the classroom teachers who were
part of Year 1 seemed to have fewer problems. They were comfortable
with the portable lab and ELLIS software and worked together well.
If issues arose they consulted with the technology teacher and worked
them out. In Year 2, two advanced level ESL teachers also used the
portable lab and ELLIS in the evening.
New Challenges
and Actions during Year 2:
As we expanded our use of technology in Year 2,
new challenges arose. We met with the teachers at the end of Year
1 to plan for Year 2. It was decided that we would order eight laptop
computers. Four would be used in the GED classroom. They would have
ModuMath and Steck-Vaughn GED preparation software installed. Two
would have Rosetta Stone and a phonics program installed and would
be located in the program facilitator’s office, and two would
have practice GED tests installed and would be located in the guidance
counselor’s office. During the planning sessions everyone
was excited. I noticed that when the laptops arrived and the technology
teacher installed the software, no one used them. I had to strongly
intervene to get things started. Although they wanted the computers,
it was an effort to integrate their use into the program. After
I worked with the staff members, the GED program was very successful
as well as the ESL programs for survival and beginner level students.
This was a pullout program located in the facilitator’s office.
The guidance counselor never effectively used hers and at the end
of the semester they were given to the GED teacher because of the
demand in that class.
Our High School Credit Diploma program is held
in the evening in a building that houses an Academy for Information
Technology and a middle school. We began the year holding classes
each evening in the AIT. The equipment never seemed to be working
in the room that we were assigned and thus the delivery of instruction
to our students suffered. Second semester we moved to a middle school
lab. Things were better but there was always a problem with the
printer. I solved the problem by offering to purchase a new printer
since we use their lab for 25% of the time.
I am very pleased with the way our technology
program progressed in Year 2. Being in charge of a large program
does not give me the time to be involved in the many small issues
that arise with the use of technology. Having a full-time technology
teacher has allowed me to step back. I worry about Year 4 when I
may not have the funds to pay the technology teacher. I would not
want to see our technology program slide backwards.
*from Technology
Implementation — End-of-Year Report as of June 30, 2003, compiled
by Roslyn Nesin, Director
Back
to Stamford Adult Education Lessons Learned index page
Back
to Main Menu page of Lessons Learned in Year Two (organized
by topic)
|
