My Future as a Learner
It is often said that every end is a new beginning. While the completion of my master’s degree might be the end of formal schooling for me, my learning is far from over. In fact, I believe that a new leg of my learning journey is just beginning. The MAET program at Michigan State University has ignited a love of learning that I will carry with me far into the future. My experiences in this program have helped me develop knowledge, skills, and the mindset of a lifelong learner. These will provide the foundation for my learning goals from this point forward.
An important goal of mine will be to actively pursue learning opportunities regarding technology and education. Some of these will be formal learning and training, such as the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) and MACUL (Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning) conferences. I have attended each of these in the past, and see them as invaluable to my education in the future. Choosing specific workshops and sessions within these conferences will allow me to tailor my learning to what is most useful and relevant to me. Conferences like these also afford great opportunities for networking with a large group of educators. Being a member of ISTE provides me with a range of webinars, professional learning networks, listservs, and other resources which will help me to keep up with new developments. However, things like webinars, networks, and blogs are not restricted to those of ISTE, and there are a variety of additional resources readily available on the web.
I will also further my learning in less formal ways. During the MAET program, I’ve learned the power of the insights and feedback one can gain from conversations with colleagues about ideas, pieces of work, and lesson plans. While this generally took place with members of my online classes, I also see great value in similar conversations with the colleagues with whom I work. I am fortunate to be a part of several excellent teams. The IT team is knowledgeable and supportive, and I have an open, comfortable relationship with the teachers at my school. The newly hired Director of Innovation will also be a great source of ideas, information, and opinions. Exposing myself to different perspectives and ideas from my fellow professionals, and most importantly from students themselves, can take my learning to a whole new level.
As I near the completion of my degree in educational technology, I coincidentally (or un-coincidentally) find myself taking on a new position at school. I am moving from the role of technology teacher to technology coordinator/teacher. In this new position, it is going to be my responsibility to teach educators. I will assist my colleagues as they integrate technology into their curricula, and will support them as they step outside their comfort zones in an effort to improve the effectiveness of their classroom practice. I will do this in 1-on-1 situations, group settings, and trainings and workshops I arrange, based on my knowledge and teachers’ needs and interests. It is a goal of mine to reduce the fear and intimidation that teachers sometimes feel when setting out to teach with technology. I have seen this in many educators, and plan on using my expertise and positive attitude to help shift these teachers’ view to one which includes excitement and opportunities, accompanied by support from me, from colleagues, and from other resources. I am confident that the knowledge and skills I have developed in technology, education, and leadership will contribute to my success in this new role.
In my role as both teacher and technology coordinator, continued learning will naturally become an ongoing part of my job. Some of it will be directed by me, and some will likely be initiated by others. In certain situations, I will find myself needing to learn something to help solve an educational or technical problem. While I might not have an immediate answer, I feel confident knowing that the MAET program has helped me to build an “I can” mindset. This includes confidence in using what I already know, skills in creativity and problem solving, and tapping into additional resources and the knowledge of others when needed, to solve educational problems and needs. Keeping an open mind and remaining flexible will also be essential.
Technology and media are changing at a rapid pace. Educational technology, including available tools, techniques, and strategies used in the classroom, is also evolving quickly. There is no manual or guide that exists with a title such as Annual Updates in Educational Technology that Every Teacher Should Know, published by an organization that represents global consensus about what technology is important and worth integrating into student learning. The pace of the development of new technologies, and the sheer scope, make it impossible to keep up with everything. Using the knowledge, skills, resources, people, and organizations available to me, while being mindful of the needs of the teachers and students with whom I work, will help me to use my best judgment in deciding what is important and worth learning at any particular time. It is impossible for one person to learn everything there is to know about a subject. However, knowing where to go and who to ask about specific technologies, questions, and curiosities, will be invaluable. I now have a network of instructors, former classmates and colleagues, friends I have made during courses and conferences, and resources I’m now aware of, along with a great team at work, to support me as I continue to learn and as I set and achieve new goals.
