STRUCTURED

Field Experience Log & Reflection

Instructional Technology Department

Candidate: Mentor/Title: School/District:

Trent Stapleton Kris McBride/IT Coach Kennesaw State University
Field Experience/Assignment: Course: Professor/Semester:
Coaching Journal ITEC 7460 PL & Tech Innovation Dr. Vitala/Spring 18

Part I: Log
Date(s) Activity/Time STATE Standards NATIONAL Standards
PSC ISTE NETS-C
3.8.2018 Coaching session with Lynne Smejkal 2.2, 2.5 2
1 hour
3.9.2018 Coaching session reflection and prep for next 6.1, 6.2 6
session
1 hour
3.15.2018 Coaching session with Lynne Smejkal 2.5, 2.2 2
1 hour
3.16.2018 Coaching session reflection and prep for next 6.1, 6.2 6
session
1 hour
3.29.2018 Coaching session with Lynne Smejkal 2.2, 2.5 2
1 hour
3.30.2018 Coaching session reflection and prep for next 6.1, 6.2 6
session
1 hour

Total Hours: [6 hours ]

DIVERSITY
(Place an X in the box representing the race/ethnicity and subgroups involved in this field experience.)
Ethnicity P-12 Faculty/Staff P-12 Students
P-2 3-5 6-8 9-12 P-2 3-5 6-8 9-12
Race/Ethnicity:
Asian
Black
Hispanic
Native American/Alaskan Native
White X X
Multiracial
Subgroups:
Students with Disabilities
Limited English Proficiency
Eligible for Free/Reduced Meals
Part II: Reflection

CANDIDATE REFLECTIONS:
(Minimum of 3-4 sentences per question)

1. Briefly describe the field experience. What did you learn about technology facilitation and
leadership from completing this field experience?

This field experience took place while completing my coaching journal assignment. I was able to
meet with Mrs. Smejkal several times during the semester to introduce her to several new tools,
strategies, and activities to increase engagement in her small group ESOL classes.

During this experience, I learned that the tool or the technology is never as important as the
person. This experience began with Mrs. Smejkal voicing her frustrations about a large group PD
that was required by the school. She described her frustrations that in these large group settings,
she often left feeling more overwhelmed than comfortable with a new tool. She was excited that I
was available to offer more focused support.

2. How did this learning relate to the knowledge (what must you know), skills (what must you
be able to do) and dispositions (attitudes, beliefs, enthusiasm) required of a technology
facilitator or technology leader? (Refer to the standards you selected in Part I. Use the
language of the PSC standards in your answer and reflect on all 3—knowledge, skills, and
dispositions.)
Knowledge – It is important that coaches are aware of what teachers need. By remaining informed
in the research behind differentiation and other research-based strategies, technology coaches can
be prepared to meet their teachers when they are needed. Also, instructional coaches need to be
continuously learning and improving. I made sure to spend time reflecting on each session by
keeping a record of the questions that were brought to my attention.

Skills – Technology coaches need to be informed. The only way to maintain expertise in
technology is to constantly be learning about changes in tech. This field experience was an
example of how continuous learning is important because I was in such a focused, one-to-one
coaching session that there was no other support to turn to if I was not aware of the answer.

Dispositions - The technology coach needs to be able to reflect. Self-reflection and learning from
past mistakes is both a skill and a disposition that a coach needs to be aware of. I had to really
reflect on what questions were asked and what caused those questions to arise during each
coaching session.
3. Describe how this field experience impacted school improvement, faculty development or
student learning at your school. How can the impact be assessed?

What has been great about this experience is watching Mrs. Smejkal share our sessions with her
colleagues. Since our sessions began, she has shared two of the tools we discussed with the entire
5th grade team and her partners in ESOL. These individual sessions have impacted nearly ten
classrooms because she has been so open to sharing with other teachers.