Before
Having grown up in the age of “almost” computers, I have always enjoyed and had a passion for technology. My mom, being a teacher, purchased a Mac from her school, on which my brothers and I played Oregon Trail. In high school, I got a cell phone, a personal computer, and thoroughly enjoyed spending time online chatting using AIM. College was when my technology passion became an obsession. I was required to get a Mac for the education program I was enrolled in. Having decided prematurely I did not like Macs, I spent my summer prior, learning exactly why I did not like them. I then spent the following four years, learning how to fix them as well as my teammates PC’s. I was the “go to” person for any type of technology problem or question. Beginning my first year teaching, I became the technology instructor. I would teach teachers how to use different forms of technology, repair problems, and introducing them to new things. I have since gained knowledge about more repairs and fixes of not just computers but all forms of technology. In my current teaching job, my principal has given me the opportunity to be the technology instructor in my building and that lead me to take an interest in earning my Master’s degree in Information Science and Learning Technologies with a focus in Education Technology.
During
Learning "WITH" Technology
Throughout the entire program, there has been an underlying theme that has, at times, been less hidden. This topic was the idea of learning “with” technology. The expectations are that students need to be not just learning from technology, but really “with” technology. Our society has become a technology rich country, requiring not just a basic understanding of how to type and use a word processor, but truly understand all aspects of technology. As a teacher, I need to not only teach my students the content, but technology so that they will be able to perform and be successful in their future lives. Through this learning process, I have gained a better understanding of my own use of technology and evaluated my ability to utilize technology in my classroom for not only my own benefit of a better lesson, but also for the students to gain a knowledge they might not already have. The artifact that demonstrates how I have gained this understanding was produced in my Introduction to Technology in Schools. It is a lesson plan that I used in my classroom to incorporate technology.
Artifact: TILP
Resources
In addition to learning about teaching “with” technology, I learned about the immense amount of resources that are available and at my fingertips as long as I look for them. Throughout the program, through my peers as well as my own research, I have discovered that there is truly no reason for any teacher of any subject to claim that they cannot integrate technology into their classrooms. There is something that everyone can do. There are always limitations and frustrations that we, as teachers, can use as excuses for not using technology, but technology is necessary. Our students benefit greatly from the use of technology and I believe that the resources available are endless and wonderful. The artifact I have included to demonstrate this insight was my eThemes request that I submitted in my Technology to Enhance Learning course. This assignment allowed us to use a resource that put in a request for instructional technology, and the eThemes team helped find as many resources they could find and provided me with that information. I was amazed all the resources that were out there, that I had no idea about. I learned a great deal from this assignment.
Artifact: eThemes Request
Collaboration
Collaboration has always been a theme in my educational career. From the beginning of my undergraduate work, and through my career, I have found ways in which I have been able to collaborate. I appreciate my colleagues' knowledge and feel that I have gained an amazing amount of skills through collaboration with my peers. In my Teaching Online Courses class, we have discussed a great deal about how to promote collaboration and a sense of belonging for K-12 students who are not attending a traditional “brick and mortar” school. The questions have been posed about how to ensure the students feel a part of the school, a sense of belonging and also interactions with their peers. We have created several strategies to promote these concepts. Although, I do not currently teach virtually, I am not opposed to the idea and feel that I have already gained so many ideas on how I could promote that collaboration in my classroom. My artifact is an instructional strategy assignment I created for my Teaching Online Courses class. The artifact demonstrates my understanding of how to promote collaboration, as well as reflection and building background knowledge.
Artifact: Instructional Strategies/Intervention
Now and Beyond
Prior to starting my Master’s in Information Science and Learning Technologies with an emphasis in Educational Technology, I have done my “best” to integrate technology into the classroom. Throughout this program, my desire to have technology in my classroom has greatly heightened. I truly believe that students need to interact with technology daily, and I have done my best to change that in my teaching. In addition, I have made it a personal goal that I inform the teachers about all that is available in educational technology both paid and free. There are so many wonderful resources that are there to help teachers, and we are not utilizing them. I greatly appreciate how much technology has helped me, and hope to further utilize technology in the future.