eJournal Entry 2

I will say that last week’s activity really helped me narrow down what the true problem could possibly be.  After working through the “5 whys” exercise, I come to realize the practicum teachers were not performing due to the administrators not knowing the expectation to hold the teachers accountable.  I also realized that it was difficult to hold these teachers accountable from the district level.  I now realize the problem is instructional and I would need to have a professional development with all administrators who have practicum teachers.  The knowledge that is necessary would be all expectations, accountabilities, and policies necessary for an intern student in any practicum to be successful in the course.  Skills that would be needed is for the administrator to articulate these necessary requirements to new and experience practicum teachers.  Also, the administrators need to be able to recognize a check off list of requirements to assist teachers with following up and staying organize on paperwork and schedules as the program moves forward throughout the year.  The administrators in the professional development need to have an optimistic attitude and realize this is a nontraditional approach to education which is just as important as mandated testing or state accountability.  Administrators need to realize the opportunities for students and value our industry relationships which allow kids the opportunity to internship.  I also need to examine the level of understanding the administrators have of the practicum experience to see where I would spend the majority of my time on instruction.  It seems like with analyzing the context, I will need to have a simulation or even a “day in the life” of an intern student so the administrator (learner) can really pick up on the skills and support needed to close the gap for exceptional performance.  Many of the administrators are already overwhelmed with other duties.  Some with different duties than others.  The interesting thing is the majority of the internships are students from the career high school than interns from the comprehensive high schools.  However, you would naturally assume that the administrators at the career high school would have a better understanding.  Unfortunately, I believe all the administrators are on the same page with the lack of understanding.  I would definitely have to take them out of their normal element.

eJournal Entry 1

1. First briefly describe your intended project. You can copy and paste it from your introduction if you wish. Then state the problem your design project will address. If you’re designing a new course or workshop, the problem might simply be that the course or training doesn’t exist. If you’re modifying instruction, state why. This is your first why.

My intended project is to create a professional development for practicum teachers to better prepare seniors in this course for their internship experience.  Many students in industry internships are not successful in their interviews with companies, communication with their practicum teacher, evaluations from their companies, and transportation to and from their experience.  This professional development will give teachers a tool kit for better communication and high achievement in the program.

2.     Then determine and state why the problem you’ve identified is occurring or why that problem is a problem—your second why.

Much of the issue is from teachers not reading the internship handbook on expectations and policies of our internship.  Teachers are also not reading their emails and communicating with students on changes in transportation times.  Also, teachers forget to follow through on normal paperwork and procedures dealing with the practicum course.

3.     Now explain why that’s occurring (the cause) or why that’s a problem (unintended or undesirable effects)—your third why.

I don’t believe teachers truly understand how the course is supposed to operate.  Therefore, they don’t know or understand the big picture.  Many of the teachers are overwhelmed with other duties they’ve not made it a priority.

4.     Then identify a fourth and fifth why if you can.

I don’t think they get enough support and feedback from administration on what needs to happen.

5.     Now reflect on your process. Did this technique reveal any new insights for your project? Has it changed the scope, purpose, or focus of the project? Explain how or why. 

This “why” process really does help.  It has giving me a few things to think about or consider for my project.  Something I think it reveals is that there needs to be some sort of accountability at the campus level on expectation.  Myself and my team are trying to coordinate this process from the central office level and there is not understanding or support from the campus level.  This is possibly why teachers that teach this practicum don’t’ see the importance of it.  I think my project will be to have a professional development with campus administrators to get their by in, support and understanding so they know what questions to ask to hold teachers more accountable.