From Three Months to Lifelong...
While my time in the Master's in Educational Technology (MAET) program is nearing an end, it is only the beginning of my journey as a lifelong learner and leader in educational technology. I feel as though my journey through the MAET program has been a blessing in disguise and each day I realize more and more how much I have grown as a person and professional as a result. What I thought was going to be a three month time commitment that resulted in nine credits has turned into a life changing experience that has helped to modify and shape my educational passions, philosophies, and future goals. When I started this program a year and a half ago, I never would have imagined that I would be embarking on a lifelong journey that would create the foundation for my aspirations and purpose as a professional and educator.
As I move forward and prepare for my next journey as a graduate of the MAET program at Michigan State University, it is important to me that I take this experience and the knowledge and skills that I have gained and use them to their fullest as an educator and future leader. My job as a lifelong learner has only begun and I have just skimmed the surface in my learning and application of educational technology tools, strategies, and policies. I have no doubt that my goals will continue to take shape as I grow as an educational professional. As I step out into the world no longer a student, but as a graduate, I aim to stay focused, committed, and driven to learn, use, and share all of my past, present, and future educational experiences with my students, colleagues, and the educational community at large.
Learn it
I have come a long way since my first class in the program and I went from having a Facebook only proficiency to creating several blogs, using Google Docs, Edmodo, Prezi, online learning management systems, and various other technologies on a daily basis for educational purposes. The world of technology and education are forever changing and advancing and it is of the utmost importance that I stay informed and maintain a status as an active member of the educational technology community as a whole. I have made a commitment to stay current with educational technology resources and applications and intend to do just that as I continue to use technology tools in my classroom to support student learning and growth.
In my school, I will collaborate with other teachers and seek the guidance and support of those who are considered to be school wide leaders in educational technology. Creating a partnership with other professionals with whom I have daily face-to-face interaction is important and it helps me to learn and grow my use of technology in the classroom. In CEP 810, I learned about the importance of maintaining ties with different professional learning communities and I will continue to network and grow my own professional learning network. I strive to continuously add to my PLN as I have new experiences and continue to grow as an education professional.
My own learning is still blossoming and will not be halted just because my formal education in the MAET program is coming to an end. As I learned in CEP 812, keeping a healthy info diet is a great way to continually add to my knowledge base and stay informed about advancements and achievements in the areas of education and technology. My goal is to continually add to my already expanding info diet as a way to stay current and create an environment where I am constantly surrounded by opportunities for my own learning and growth. Through Twitter, I have found some great organizations and people to follow that will help me create a healthy and balance info diet by providing me with the resources that I need to critically look at educational policy at the local, state, and national levels as well as developments in the area of educational technology.
Use it
Maintaining a commitment to lifelong learning is only valuable if I use what I have learned in a meaningful way that impacts not only myself, but others as well. One of the most important goals that I have for myself is to use what I have learned each and every day in my classroom and school with both students and colleagues. Technology has always played a significant role in my vision as an educator, but, I now feel like I have the information, tools and skill set to make my vision a reality. I believe that it is not only important to use technology in the classroom, but a critical tool that must be utilized in all 21st century classrooms and schools. I aim to use all of the educational technology recourses available to me as I strive to promote 21st century readiness in my classroom and students.
Technology will play an increasingly important role in my planning, teaching and classroom. I plan to use technology daily to inspire students, foster creativity, challenge concepts, increase critical thinking, and transform information. For the upcoming school year, my goal is to use many technologies in my classroom such as the creation of a virtual extension of my class through the use of Edmodo, the creation of a personal website or blog that can be used as a resource for students and parents, and the incorporation of devices such as iPads, tablets, and smartphone into the daily learning process.
Share it
For me, learning it and using it is not nearly enough. I believe in the importance of learning communities and collaboration and it is important to me that I keep the lines of communication open and share what I have learned and know with others. One way that I hope to be able to share my experience and passion for technology and education is through a leadership role within my building and district. Central to my future aspirations as an education leader is finding opportunities to lead by example while providing guidance and support to fellow educators. Most recently, I have started working on a district wide technology team that aims to increase the use of technology in all buildings throughout the district.
It is also important to me that I earn my degree in K-12 school administration. I am ready to get the ball rolling and plan to start the K-12 Administration program at Michigan State University next spring. I know that making this goal a reality is going to be hard work but I am ready and excited for the challenge. I know that it will help give me the skills and tools that I need to become a successful leader who will have a lasting and positive impact on the larger learning community as a whole.
Settling into my own
As I move forward as a 21st century education professional, my role continually changes as the technology that is available for use continues to evolve. As a teacher, I hope to act as a facilitator who provides guidance and support, teaching my students how to build their own learning networks. Preparing students to become successful learners and leaders in the 21st century requires me to instill a love of learning and technology in those whom I teach. As a future leader, I hope to inspire and empower colleagues, fellow educators, and the broader educational community. It is my hope that I will have the opportunity to share my passion and love of educational technology on a larger scale within the community that I teach and the world that our students are learning in.
As I move forward and prepare for my next journey as a graduate of the MAET program at Michigan State University, it is important to me that I take this experience and the knowledge and skills that I have gained and use them to their fullest as an educator and future leader. My job as a lifelong learner has only begun and I have just skimmed the surface in my learning and application of educational technology tools, strategies, and policies. I have no doubt that my goals will continue to take shape as I grow as an educational professional. As I step out into the world no longer a student, but as a graduate, I aim to stay focused, committed, and driven to learn, use, and share all of my past, present, and future educational experiences with my students, colleagues, and the educational community at large.
Learn it
I have come a long way since my first class in the program and I went from having a Facebook only proficiency to creating several blogs, using Google Docs, Edmodo, Prezi, online learning management systems, and various other technologies on a daily basis for educational purposes. The world of technology and education are forever changing and advancing and it is of the utmost importance that I stay informed and maintain a status as an active member of the educational technology community as a whole. I have made a commitment to stay current with educational technology resources and applications and intend to do just that as I continue to use technology tools in my classroom to support student learning and growth.
In my school, I will collaborate with other teachers and seek the guidance and support of those who are considered to be school wide leaders in educational technology. Creating a partnership with other professionals with whom I have daily face-to-face interaction is important and it helps me to learn and grow my use of technology in the classroom. In CEP 810, I learned about the importance of maintaining ties with different professional learning communities and I will continue to network and grow my own professional learning network. I strive to continuously add to my PLN as I have new experiences and continue to grow as an education professional.
My own learning is still blossoming and will not be halted just because my formal education in the MAET program is coming to an end. As I learned in CEP 812, keeping a healthy info diet is a great way to continually add to my knowledge base and stay informed about advancements and achievements in the areas of education and technology. My goal is to continually add to my already expanding info diet as a way to stay current and create an environment where I am constantly surrounded by opportunities for my own learning and growth. Through Twitter, I have found some great organizations and people to follow that will help me create a healthy and balance info diet by providing me with the resources that I need to critically look at educational policy at the local, state, and national levels as well as developments in the area of educational technology.
Use it
Maintaining a commitment to lifelong learning is only valuable if I use what I have learned in a meaningful way that impacts not only myself, but others as well. One of the most important goals that I have for myself is to use what I have learned each and every day in my classroom and school with both students and colleagues. Technology has always played a significant role in my vision as an educator, but, I now feel like I have the information, tools and skill set to make my vision a reality. I believe that it is not only important to use technology in the classroom, but a critical tool that must be utilized in all 21st century classrooms and schools. I aim to use all of the educational technology recourses available to me as I strive to promote 21st century readiness in my classroom and students.
Technology will play an increasingly important role in my planning, teaching and classroom. I plan to use technology daily to inspire students, foster creativity, challenge concepts, increase critical thinking, and transform information. For the upcoming school year, my goal is to use many technologies in my classroom such as the creation of a virtual extension of my class through the use of Edmodo, the creation of a personal website or blog that can be used as a resource for students and parents, and the incorporation of devices such as iPads, tablets, and smartphone into the daily learning process.
Share it
For me, learning it and using it is not nearly enough. I believe in the importance of learning communities and collaboration and it is important to me that I keep the lines of communication open and share what I have learned and know with others. One way that I hope to be able to share my experience and passion for technology and education is through a leadership role within my building and district. Central to my future aspirations as an education leader is finding opportunities to lead by example while providing guidance and support to fellow educators. Most recently, I have started working on a district wide technology team that aims to increase the use of technology in all buildings throughout the district.
It is also important to me that I earn my degree in K-12 school administration. I am ready to get the ball rolling and plan to start the K-12 Administration program at Michigan State University next spring. I know that making this goal a reality is going to be hard work but I am ready and excited for the challenge. I know that it will help give me the skills and tools that I need to become a successful leader who will have a lasting and positive impact on the larger learning community as a whole.
Settling into my own
As I move forward as a 21st century education professional, my role continually changes as the technology that is available for use continues to evolve. As a teacher, I hope to act as a facilitator who provides guidance and support, teaching my students how to build their own learning networks. Preparing students to become successful learners and leaders in the 21st century requires me to instill a love of learning and technology in those whom I teach. As a future leader, I hope to inspire and empower colleagues, fellow educators, and the broader educational community. It is my hope that I will have the opportunity to share my passion and love of educational technology on a larger scale within the community that I teach and the world that our students are learning in.
Eleanor Roosevelt quote from
http://www.nelsonvillerotary.org
"Far From What I Once Was" image from http://indulgy.com
"Far From What I Once Was" image from http://indulgy.com