From Woody...to Buzz
Personal Goal Reflection by Stacie Green
As I look back at my goals I set for myself as I began the MAET program, I’m astonished by my naïve thinking and how little I really knew about technology in education. The original goals I set aren’t even worthy of the massive amounts of learning I have endured and abilities I now have. At that time, I really did not have a good understanding of the possibilities that technology posed for the classroom, my students, and beyond.
The 3 years I have spent in this program have really cultivated my thinking and caused me to grow in all areas. As a teacher, I now use technology as almost an extension of our minds. It’s no longer a special reward or rarity; it’s a regular part of our daily learning. I am now a more thorough teacher who enters each day with more meaning and purpose to my teaching. As a student, I have been forced to face and overcome fears with assignments and projects that were scary because the technology was so unknown to me. Without the MAET program, I know I would have never learned how to use some of the best educational tools I now utilize! My "Wordle" from above represents where I feel I am at now as a technology educator.
An initial goal I set was to “use technology in the classroom to reinforce skills and concepts.” Yes, we do use online games to keep our skills sharp, but that doesn’t even begin to describe how we use it. Technology is our dictionary, calculator, organizer, information seeker. We use it to ask questions and gain new knowledge. It is a means for exploration and expansion. Students are online involved in interactive simulations to make sense of their science learning. They are experiencing social studies concepts first hand through interactive WebQuests. They are able to see their words come to life through Publisher and digital storytelling. The possibilities of how I can now incorporate technology into my teaching and my students’ learning are endless! 90% of our social studies learning is done online. The majority of our writing is online. All of our research comes from the internet. I’m able to show them how to decipher which site has useful information and which one doesn’t. We use the internet and computer programs like Encarta for our non-fiction reading. I’m able to model 21st Century technology literacy skills as we learn to skim and focus in on key words to acquire the information we need. Technology has drastically changed the world of reading and I feel it is my responsibility to empower my students with the technology know-how to survive.
A second goal I originally set was “to learn to use the internet as I teach to show clips and videos to the students to provide other examples of what we are learning.” Reading this today, I think, “Really? How basic is that?” I don’t even think twice about utilizing the benefits of Discovery Education now. Even better, my students are able to find useful clips, videos, and simulations to coincide with our learning. The laptops that we use and with it the internet, are tools for learning. They are no different than a ruler or protractor.
It’s hard for me to even think back to myself as a teacher with technology 3 years ago. I have come so far with what I know and am able to do. I know there is still an endless amount of learning out there for me, but I’m confident in my abilities and know I can take on any technology challenge put in front of me! As I reflect on myself then, I look forward to the opportunities that the MAET program has provided me. I am now a technology literate teacher who can provide my students with the best learning environment possible with the help of 21st Century gadgets!
I have the background, know-how, and qualifications to move into a more technology worthy role in education now. My district is joining the education revolution and opening a STEM elementary school in the fall. Because of my technology journey through the MAET program, I am able to apply for one of these new positions. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I feel completely equipped to help build this school and curriculum from the ground up. In a few short months, I’m going to walk away with an advanced degree and a repertoire of technology skills that will open up new doors and create endless possibilities for my future as an educator. In essence, I'm now prepared to go, as Buzz Lightyear would say, “To infinity and beyond!”
The 3 years I have spent in this program have really cultivated my thinking and caused me to grow in all areas. As a teacher, I now use technology as almost an extension of our minds. It’s no longer a special reward or rarity; it’s a regular part of our daily learning. I am now a more thorough teacher who enters each day with more meaning and purpose to my teaching. As a student, I have been forced to face and overcome fears with assignments and projects that were scary because the technology was so unknown to me. Without the MAET program, I know I would have never learned how to use some of the best educational tools I now utilize! My "Wordle" from above represents where I feel I am at now as a technology educator.
An initial goal I set was to “use technology in the classroom to reinforce skills and concepts.” Yes, we do use online games to keep our skills sharp, but that doesn’t even begin to describe how we use it. Technology is our dictionary, calculator, organizer, information seeker. We use it to ask questions and gain new knowledge. It is a means for exploration and expansion. Students are online involved in interactive simulations to make sense of their science learning. They are experiencing social studies concepts first hand through interactive WebQuests. They are able to see their words come to life through Publisher and digital storytelling. The possibilities of how I can now incorporate technology into my teaching and my students’ learning are endless! 90% of our social studies learning is done online. The majority of our writing is online. All of our research comes from the internet. I’m able to show them how to decipher which site has useful information and which one doesn’t. We use the internet and computer programs like Encarta for our non-fiction reading. I’m able to model 21st Century technology literacy skills as we learn to skim and focus in on key words to acquire the information we need. Technology has drastically changed the world of reading and I feel it is my responsibility to empower my students with the technology know-how to survive.
A second goal I originally set was “to learn to use the internet as I teach to show clips and videos to the students to provide other examples of what we are learning.” Reading this today, I think, “Really? How basic is that?” I don’t even think twice about utilizing the benefits of Discovery Education now. Even better, my students are able to find useful clips, videos, and simulations to coincide with our learning. The laptops that we use and with it the internet, are tools for learning. They are no different than a ruler or protractor.
It’s hard for me to even think back to myself as a teacher with technology 3 years ago. I have come so far with what I know and am able to do. I know there is still an endless amount of learning out there for me, but I’m confident in my abilities and know I can take on any technology challenge put in front of me! As I reflect on myself then, I look forward to the opportunities that the MAET program has provided me. I am now a technology literate teacher who can provide my students with the best learning environment possible with the help of 21st Century gadgets!
I have the background, know-how, and qualifications to move into a more technology worthy role in education now. My district is joining the education revolution and opening a STEM elementary school in the fall. Because of my technology journey through the MAET program, I am able to apply for one of these new positions. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I feel completely equipped to help build this school and curriculum from the ground up. In a few short months, I’m going to walk away with an advanced degree and a repertoire of technology skills that will open up new doors and create endless possibilities for my future as an educator. In essence, I'm now prepared to go, as Buzz Lightyear would say, “To infinity and beyond!”
