Continuing to Learn As An Educator
By: Melissa Thompson
My future after I complete my Master’s in Educational Technology (MAET) at Michigan State University in December is to continue growing and learning so I can be the best teacher possible. I envision myself attending professional development meetings, teacher workshops, and conferences. I also plan to use my PLN (Professional Learning Network) that I have established through Michigan State University to continue learning as an educator. Getting my Mater’s at Michigan State University has given me confidence in the area of technology and I feel I can help other teachers by sharing what I have learned with them, so they can use technology in their own classroom as well. My goal is to continue to be a resource to my cohorts in the area of technology.
Looking back at my short four-year career as a teacher and how I taught just three years ago I see that the way I teach lessons has changed and improved. Colleagues have been a main resource to help me develop strategies to use with my students. I sit down weekly with my teaching partners and collaborate ideas for the upcoming lessons. Since we have just implemented laptop computers for every student in my building and SmartBoards in every classroom, lessons using technology are the focus of our planning. Since this was new for all teachers in the building both master teachers and new teachers like myself, a real team approach of collaborating using everyone’s strength has taken place. I have been able to bring my newly acquired technology skills to the team while the veteran teachers contribute their experience and successful teaching techniques. By blending my technology skills and knowledge and their experience in resources we are developing lessons for 21st century learners. I hope this team effort can continue for the future as everyone benefits, teachers and students.
After I finish my Master’s in Educational Technology I am looking forward to having more time to develop lessons for my classroom, that involve students using technology and their own laptops. I do some lessons with the laptops but overall I would like to do more. The new Common Core Standards for mathematics have practices where students need to use appropriate math tools strategically. For example students can use are their computers to solve math problems strategically creating shapes in Geogebra. Another technology tool for students to use with their computers is NLVM online virtual math manipulatives to visually see math in a real life setting. I also foresee my students using iMovie, podcasts, and screencasts to reinforce concepts learned in the classroom. These technology tools are another way to enhance understanding of the concepts taught in class. I have created a Wiki and Blog for my math classes and would also like to use these tools and have students post projects and what they have learned on the Wiki and Blog. One thing that is difficult in math is that students need direct instruction and continual practice of the skills taught in class and I need to keep finding technology tools that incorporate what is being taught in class and connect it with student use of technology. I would like to connect more with other math teachers through social networks to find good technology lessons to use in my math classes.
As an educator it is important to continue learning and growing and stay up-to-date with the way curriculum and technology continually changes. Going through the Master’s in Educational Technology Program at Michigan State University has taught me ways to connect with teachers through Social Networks such as Twitter, Facebook, Google + Hangouts, and Professional Learning Articles that I can get through RSS Feeds. What I liked about being in the Master’s in Educational Technology Program (MAET) is that it opened up an avenue to communicate with classmates, professors and other professionals. By requiring us to use technology to connect with one another during the summer cohort classes it was necessary to put into practice what we were learning. I feel like it might be a little difficult to stay as connected being out of the program but it is my job to reach out to the professionals I have networked with to continue learning and sharing new ideas.
When this goal of completing my Master’s in educational technology is achieved my next professional goal is to become a technology leader to the staff at my school. We have established a good working relationship and team approach to implement new technology into our learning community. I feel like I can contribute to this by attending more professional conferences such as the MACUL conference, ISD workshops, and online webinars. When my Master’s is done I will have more time to do that. I also look forward to attending math workshops and integrating the content knowledge with technology. Sharing and collaborating with colleagues inspires me to provide an outstanding learning experience for my students.
Looking back at my short four-year career as a teacher and how I taught just three years ago I see that the way I teach lessons has changed and improved. Colleagues have been a main resource to help me develop strategies to use with my students. I sit down weekly with my teaching partners and collaborate ideas for the upcoming lessons. Since we have just implemented laptop computers for every student in my building and SmartBoards in every classroom, lessons using technology are the focus of our planning. Since this was new for all teachers in the building both master teachers and new teachers like myself, a real team approach of collaborating using everyone’s strength has taken place. I have been able to bring my newly acquired technology skills to the team while the veteran teachers contribute their experience and successful teaching techniques. By blending my technology skills and knowledge and their experience in resources we are developing lessons for 21st century learners. I hope this team effort can continue for the future as everyone benefits, teachers and students.
After I finish my Master’s in Educational Technology I am looking forward to having more time to develop lessons for my classroom, that involve students using technology and their own laptops. I do some lessons with the laptops but overall I would like to do more. The new Common Core Standards for mathematics have practices where students need to use appropriate math tools strategically. For example students can use are their computers to solve math problems strategically creating shapes in Geogebra. Another technology tool for students to use with their computers is NLVM online virtual math manipulatives to visually see math in a real life setting. I also foresee my students using iMovie, podcasts, and screencasts to reinforce concepts learned in the classroom. These technology tools are another way to enhance understanding of the concepts taught in class. I have created a Wiki and Blog for my math classes and would also like to use these tools and have students post projects and what they have learned on the Wiki and Blog. One thing that is difficult in math is that students need direct instruction and continual practice of the skills taught in class and I need to keep finding technology tools that incorporate what is being taught in class and connect it with student use of technology. I would like to connect more with other math teachers through social networks to find good technology lessons to use in my math classes.
As an educator it is important to continue learning and growing and stay up-to-date with the way curriculum and technology continually changes. Going through the Master’s in Educational Technology Program at Michigan State University has taught me ways to connect with teachers through Social Networks such as Twitter, Facebook, Google + Hangouts, and Professional Learning Articles that I can get through RSS Feeds. What I liked about being in the Master’s in Educational Technology Program (MAET) is that it opened up an avenue to communicate with classmates, professors and other professionals. By requiring us to use technology to connect with one another during the summer cohort classes it was necessary to put into practice what we were learning. I feel like it might be a little difficult to stay as connected being out of the program but it is my job to reach out to the professionals I have networked with to continue learning and sharing new ideas.
When this goal of completing my Master’s in educational technology is achieved my next professional goal is to become a technology leader to the staff at my school. We have established a good working relationship and team approach to implement new technology into our learning community. I feel like I can contribute to this by attending more professional conferences such as the MACUL conference, ISD workshops, and online webinars. When my Master’s is done I will have more time to do that. I also look forward to attending math workshops and integrating the content knowledge with technology. Sharing and collaborating with colleagues inspires me to provide an outstanding learning experience for my students.