My Journey Never Stops... It Just Changes!
Reflection of Professional Goals in 2016
Remember Y2K? If you are old enough to remember this, then you know how long I have been striving to become technologically literate! I have taught several grades, multiple subjects and I have worked behind the scenes for a technology department as a technology facilitator and data management specialist. Over time my job has evolved to that of a technology instructor for St. Johns Middle School. I love learning and this passion and desire to always know more is what I strive to instill in my students. For some individuals they have been lucky enough to have family support and/or a natural love for learning. For others, the game of school is not so fun. My ultimate goal when I began the Masters In Educational Technology Program (MAET) at Michigan State University (MSU) was to engage and empower all of my students so they wanted to take control of their learning; especially focusing on those students who struggle. Technology is a tool that opens a door to a wealth of information, opportunities, tools and connections. It can make a difference.
As an educator I am always searching for the newest, coolest technology tools and content which could impact students! My curriculum is always changing since technology is always changing. My goal to become the best technology educator possible has not changed. This goal has now extended beyond my classroom and I am actively trying to help educators integrate and incorporate technology.
My goal as an educator is very broad, similar to the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS). Both provide the end result or ultimate goal, but neither tell the process of how to accomplish the goal/goals. Teaching individuals to become independent thinkers and problem solvers is not an easy task and keeping up with technological evolution and pedagogy is forever ongoing. What has changed for me since entering the MAET program is the process of how to best meet my goal. All of my courses are now online and paperless; all students create individual blogs to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and creativity. Many of the courses I have created now have a game-like components to motivate and engage students to go above and beyond. Kids are coding using Scratch and Alice, creating projects using a green screen, producing videos to influence others, designing structures, inventions and objects to shape the future using SketchUp. They are collaborating and communicating with each other using Google Drive. Even though I have incorporated and embraced change, there is still so much more I want learn; video production, robotics, programming, virtual reality and web-development. I would love to learn more about serious game development and the maker-space movement.
On my homepage, I summarize who I am as a professional in a nutshell… I want to make a difference and make connections… to my students, to my colleagues and to others beyond the walls of my classroom. Technology provides a way to make these connections a reality. I am an educator, an instructional coach, a visionary and a digital explorer navigating my way through life and learning.
