Issues in Alternative Assessment Reflection 1 Linda Norman

 
 

Goals are essential for any educator. It is imperative that each educator, not only help their students set goals, but also encourage and support other educators to set goals and achieve them. As the Learning Center teacher in my junior high, a major responsibility of my position is to help fellow teachers and students with their goals. For professional goals to be effective, one must know what research says, collect accurate data from students, and then develop a plan to improve.  This year our entire district is using this criteria to set goals. From research and information that I have learned in my first year of my online master's degree in Curriculum, Technology, and Educational Reform (CTER) that I am currently enrolled in at the University of Illinois, I have set a one year goal, three year goal, and five year professional goal. The first year goal is to become knowledgeable of current technology and it's use in the classroom, my third year goal is to become a professional developer of educators in the implementation of successful technology strategies, and my fifth year goal is to have all students and teachers in my building with an ePortolio, which is organized by goals.       My professional goal for year one, 2001-2002, is to obtain a master's degree and technology endorsement from the state of Illinois through the CTER online master's degree from University of Illinios. I am working on this goal currently. Complete four 1 unit classes by August 2002 Have current portfolio of my professional development organized by goals. Master's Degree from University of Illinois Technology endorsement from state of Illinois      My professional goal for years one through three, 2001-2004, is to help our district staff achieve effective implementation in their curriculum. This goal will take much longer is on-going, because the technology keeps changing and its possilities keep growing. Model for staff the use of technology Be active in professional development committee for our district, which will design these models Teach Technology Academy classes, which meet after school for CPDUs Take additional classes to keep me current Keep online correspondence with fellow CTER students about what their districts are doing     By year five of my professional goal, which is 2001-2006, I am setting my goal that all students and teachers will have a ePortfolio. EPortfolios will communicate, facilitate, and unify all students and staff to coordinate activities to accomplish goals. Parents, staff, and community will have evidence of the academics that are being accomplished or in progress.  Take classes to learn to facilitate this process Take assessment professional development activities to stay current in new research Train staff to use ePortfolios for themselves Train staff to teach students to use ePortfolios

Professional goals should drive our professional development. My professional goals will advance my teaching, enhance district goals of improvement in the integration of technology, and provide accurate reporting of achievement of the goals of our learning community. I need professional development for all three goals. These goals are realistic, because they incorporate what I am currently learning and fit under the district umbrella.  Goals for an educator must be current, flexible, and on-going to align with data collected from research and the district. Another important component of goals is to assess the progress of each goal. Thus, I will continually assess these goals through  my Eportfolio and staff and student reflections.