Thinking Back, Moving Forward
As I entered the Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) program at Michigan State University, I had goals for what I hoped to accomplish. When I started the MAET program, I had just finished my second year of teaching. My goals were centered on applying my learning in graduate school to my classroom. The goals I set involved providing students with choices and ownership over their learning. I wanted to build a classroom space where students were the driving force behind learning. I was also seeking exposure to new technology resources and tools. I knew that students in my classroom would benefit from my knowledge and experience with a variety of technology tools. Finally, I hoped that I could find ways to help my students develop the skills they will need to think creatively and solve problems. I hoped that the MAET program would not just focus on technology, but also on how I can prepare students to be successful in multiple settings and situations.
My current goals involve teacher improvement and professional development. Now that I am nearing the end of the MAET program, I would like to seek out ways to better my instruction and technology implementation. I hope to utilize Twitter to engage with teachers and professional learning groups around the country. I also want to attend conferences that will support my future learning. While I have attended the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) Conference, I hope to attend a conference with the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD). The Empower conference is a yearly event held by ASCD that is an opportunity for educators to explore how to support the whole child, social-emotional learning, and global connectedness. Online tools and conferences can help me continue my education beyond graduate school, and will help me meet my goals for improving my classroom and instruction.
While some of my goals are the same, others have changed as I near the end of the MAET program. I am now completing my third year of teaching. I still think of how I can apply my learning through my graduate studies to better my students and classroom. I still strive to provide choices for my students, use technology in meaningful ways, and help them develop higher-level thinking skills. However, I now have goals that center around my future learning as an educator. I know that continuing my education will allow me to meet the unique needs that each group of students brings to my classroom. My goals have changed, because through the MAET program I have benefited greatly from working with colleagues with different backgrounds, training, and levels of experience. By continuing to collaborate with others in new ways, I hope that I will continue to learn from those around me with different perspectives and skills. My graduate studies have benefitted me as a teacher and the students I see every day. As this experience ends, I know that I never stop learning and growing if I continue to seek out new learning opportunities, and reflect on my work as a graduate student.
My current goals involve teacher improvement and professional development. Now that I am nearing the end of the MAET program, I would like to seek out ways to better my instruction and technology implementation. I hope to utilize Twitter to engage with teachers and professional learning groups around the country. I also want to attend conferences that will support my future learning. While I have attended the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) Conference, I hope to attend a conference with the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD). The Empower conference is a yearly event held by ASCD that is an opportunity for educators to explore how to support the whole child, social-emotional learning, and global connectedness. Online tools and conferences can help me continue my education beyond graduate school, and will help me meet my goals for improving my classroom and instruction.
While some of my goals are the same, others have changed as I near the end of the MAET program. I am now completing my third year of teaching. I still think of how I can apply my learning through my graduate studies to better my students and classroom. I still strive to provide choices for my students, use technology in meaningful ways, and help them develop higher-level thinking skills. However, I now have goals that center around my future learning as an educator. I know that continuing my education will allow me to meet the unique needs that each group of students brings to my classroom. My goals have changed, because through the MAET program I have benefited greatly from working with colleagues with different backgrounds, training, and levels of experience. By continuing to collaborate with others in new ways, I hope that I will continue to learn from those around me with different perspectives and skills. My graduate studies have benefitted me as a teacher and the students I see every day. As this experience ends, I know that I never stop learning and growing if I continue to seek out new learning opportunities, and reflect on my work as a graduate student.