This is Not the End
Amanda Kain
As far back as I can remember I have enjoyed learning new things. So, when I think about my education I never think that I am at the end. I cannot say that I am fond of every aspect of my college education experience, because I am happy to be done with all the writing, but I enjoyed it and learned so much. This may be my final course in formal education, but I will continue to seek out new knowledge in many different ways.
By choosing to pursue a master’s degree in educational technology I knew that I was choosing something that is constantly evolving. I also knew that it was the direction education is heading and thought that it would be beneficial to me as a young teacher. Throughout the program I have learned so much and know that I want to continue developing my technology skills.
Keeping in mind the evolution of technology in education, the first goal I have for myself is to seek out opportunities to learn more about incorporating technology into the classroom. An important thing I want to keep in mind is that the technology should be used to help increase student achievement and not just for the sake of using technology. I will do this by attending professional development workshops that are available in my school district, as well as ones at universities. I will also use websites such as Classroom 2.0, MACUL, and MERLOT to share things that I have learned and to learn from others. I was introduced to both of these great resources in my courses and have found lessons and different ways to use technology in the classroom on them. In addition to these websites, I will continue to share new ideas and experiences on my blog, as well as seek out other blogs and websites to learn more.
The MAET program has introduced me to so many new technologies, such as screencasts, podcasts, web publishing, and many more. I would like to expand more on these and become more of an expert in these areas. I would also like to learn different ways to use these in my teaching and to have students use them as well. Again I will use the great resources I have found online to help me with this as well as new ones I find. One way I learned a lot through these courses was by experimenting with the different technologies and using video tutorials to help me along the way. I will continue to use this method as well.
The second goal I have for myself is to one day be a technology leader. I would like to teach others in my school how to effectively use technology in education to help increase student achievement. This is a goal in which I will start out slowly, teaching others a few things here and there. Then, as I become more comfortable and learn more I will strive to have a role that develops into a technology leader. This goal goes along with my final goal because in order to be a technology leader, I first need to be a classroom teacher in a building where I can take on this role.
With this said my final goal is to obtain a teaching position. For the last several years I have worked as a substitute teacher in one school district. I have also been a building substitute in two different schools. By working in these positions I have gained experience in many different classroom settings and have worked with many different people. I feel like this is beneficial in terms of making contacts with principals and teachers who support me in this goal. I plan to continue my pursuit of a teaching position by continuing to make contacts and applying for as many jobs as I find.
My love of learning is what inspires me to be a lifelong learner. As I am finishing up my final master’s class I feel a great sense of pride in all that I have accomplished. Even though this is the end of my formal education, for now at least, I look forward to continuing my informal education. By setting goals for myself I can see what direction I am heading in as an educator. I want to continue learning new ways to incorporate technology into the classroom to increase student achievement. I also want to obtain a teaching position and become a technology leader. I look forward to pursuing these goals.
By choosing to pursue a master’s degree in educational technology I knew that I was choosing something that is constantly evolving. I also knew that it was the direction education is heading and thought that it would be beneficial to me as a young teacher. Throughout the program I have learned so much and know that I want to continue developing my technology skills.
Keeping in mind the evolution of technology in education, the first goal I have for myself is to seek out opportunities to learn more about incorporating technology into the classroom. An important thing I want to keep in mind is that the technology should be used to help increase student achievement and not just for the sake of using technology. I will do this by attending professional development workshops that are available in my school district, as well as ones at universities. I will also use websites such as Classroom 2.0, MACUL, and MERLOT to share things that I have learned and to learn from others. I was introduced to both of these great resources in my courses and have found lessons and different ways to use technology in the classroom on them. In addition to these websites, I will continue to share new ideas and experiences on my blog, as well as seek out other blogs and websites to learn more.
The MAET program has introduced me to so many new technologies, such as screencasts, podcasts, web publishing, and many more. I would like to expand more on these and become more of an expert in these areas. I would also like to learn different ways to use these in my teaching and to have students use them as well. Again I will use the great resources I have found online to help me with this as well as new ones I find. One way I learned a lot through these courses was by experimenting with the different technologies and using video tutorials to help me along the way. I will continue to use this method as well.
The second goal I have for myself is to one day be a technology leader. I would like to teach others in my school how to effectively use technology in education to help increase student achievement. This is a goal in which I will start out slowly, teaching others a few things here and there. Then, as I become more comfortable and learn more I will strive to have a role that develops into a technology leader. This goal goes along with my final goal because in order to be a technology leader, I first need to be a classroom teacher in a building where I can take on this role.
With this said my final goal is to obtain a teaching position. For the last several years I have worked as a substitute teacher in one school district. I have also been a building substitute in two different schools. By working in these positions I have gained experience in many different classroom settings and have worked with many different people. I feel like this is beneficial in terms of making contacts with principals and teachers who support me in this goal. I plan to continue my pursuit of a teaching position by continuing to make contacts and applying for as many jobs as I find.
My love of learning is what inspires me to be a lifelong learner. As I am finishing up my final master’s class I feel a great sense of pride in all that I have accomplished. Even though this is the end of my formal education, for now at least, I look forward to continuing my informal education. By setting goals for myself I can see what direction I am heading in as an educator. I want to continue learning new ways to incorporate technology into the classroom to increase student achievement. I also want to obtain a teaching position and become a technology leader. I look forward to pursuing these goals.
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