Introduction
My name is Djamal Balbed, and I am in the Master's program in Instructional Technology at Kennesaw State University. I began the program in the fall of 2015 and will graduate summer 2017. I received my under-grad degree from Georgia State University in 2002 in Computer Information Systems. My career in education began in 2004 as a Technology Teacher at Woodland Elementary Charter School in Fulton County. After a year, my role transitioned into a technology support position, which I stayed in for the next 8 years.
In the fall of 2013 I had the good fortune of taking a position as the Director of Instructional Technology for Clarke County Schools in Athens, GA. As a school district with close to 14,000 students, I managed the digital implementation of a 1:1 program for students in grades 3 through 10. I worked with six Instructional Technology Specialists tasked with enhancing instruction through the use of technology. After 2 ½ years of driving to Athens every day, I chose to work at a startup charter school close to home; Fulton Academy of Science and Technology. I helped the school develop their technology focus and also taught a sixth grade coding class. I am now a System Analyst for the Fulton County Schools Transportation Department. For this role, I am charged with all IT related tasks including the planning and implementation of technology upgrades to support the department.
The purpose of this portfolio is for me to demonstrate mastery of the PSC Instructional Technology standards and the ISTE NETS-C standards. As you can see, there are a series of links below the KSU logo that you can visit. Of particular importance is the "standards" link. Under this link, you will see a series of artifacts and reflections documenting the important work I have completed during this program. Each artifact represents mastery of the standard under which it is represented.
I have enjoyed my time at KSU and have learned a great deal. Although I am not currently working in an instructional capacity, I would like to eventually get back into a role where I have a chance to support the use of technology in the classroom.
In the fall of 2013 I had the good fortune of taking a position as the Director of Instructional Technology for Clarke County Schools in Athens, GA. As a school district with close to 14,000 students, I managed the digital implementation of a 1:1 program for students in grades 3 through 10. I worked with six Instructional Technology Specialists tasked with enhancing instruction through the use of technology. After 2 ½ years of driving to Athens every day, I chose to work at a startup charter school close to home; Fulton Academy of Science and Technology. I helped the school develop their technology focus and also taught a sixth grade coding class. I am now a System Analyst for the Fulton County Schools Transportation Department. For this role, I am charged with all IT related tasks including the planning and implementation of technology upgrades to support the department.
The purpose of this portfolio is for me to demonstrate mastery of the PSC Instructional Technology standards and the ISTE NETS-C standards. As you can see, there are a series of links below the KSU logo that you can visit. Of particular importance is the "standards" link. Under this link, you will see a series of artifacts and reflections documenting the important work I have completed during this program. Each artifact represents mastery of the standard under which it is represented.
I have enjoyed my time at KSU and have learned a great deal. Although I am not currently working in an instructional capacity, I would like to eventually get back into a role where I have a chance to support the use of technology in the classroom.