Technology Inventories- week 1 part 2

     In looking at my strengths and weaknesses in technology, especially using technology in the educational setting, I took three assessments.  The first of these assessments was the Technology Applications Inventory. In this inventory,  four domains were looked at. These four domains were foundations, information acquisition, solving problems, and communication.  This inventory looked at how I use technology and how well I understand technology applications and terminology.  The inventory also looked at how I integrate these skills into the classroom trough the major content areas. Out of the four domains addressed with this inventory,  the strongest area for me is communication. I agree with this since I use the internet, as well as other technology applications to communicate with others.  Communication is necessary and so I have to be knowledgeable in this area to be able to do my job.  The weakest area for me is solving problems.  For the most part I try to solve as many problems with technology issues as I can. However, there are those times when I have trouble understanding what the problem is or do not know how to fix it. This is definitely an area I need to work on more.
     The second assessment I took to help analyze my knowledge of technology and the skills involved was the SETDA survey in the role of the teacher.In this survey I was asked questions about using technology at my school and in my classroom.  A few of the questions also dealt with technology use out of the classroom.  In reviewing the survey, I have realized that one area I need to work on is the ways in which my students use technology.  I need to work on having them collaborate with each other in order to help them with not only technology skills, but also with communication skills.  Collaboration is important to any area, and can help students improve. 
     The third assessment is The Rubric for Administrative Technology.  In this assessment, information use with technology is looked at through an administrator's eyes.  Not only does it look at how the administrator uses technology for information regarding students, and budgets, but it addresses how the administrators feels his or her staff uses the technology. I agree with this assessment since it relies on the administrator taking a step back and looking at themselves and their staff.  This assessment could be very powerful in trying to determine areas of need.
     In looking at all three of these together communicating with others using technology is definitely one of my strengths.  On the otherhand, using technology across the content areas, as well as giving students more opportunities throughout the school day to use technology is a weakness.  I want to address these areas as well as being able to fix issues with technology and improve them.  In doing so I will be a more effective teacher and leader. These three assessments also are valuable tools to help guide technolgy improvement on campuses.  All of these surveys seem to address multiple areas on a campus where technology would bem used and really make the participants to a look at how they are using the technology.