Far From Where I Want to Be: Oh Crap! This Is Just The Beginning!
Written By: Ronda D. Brown
Let Me Explain Myself
At the completion of my masters program in educational technology I expected to be a technology guru. I would be someone my colleagues turn to for technology help, my classroom will have the perfect blend of technology to enhance the learning experience, and I would have full working knowledge as to what resources are at my fingertips. I would be at the cutting edge of information about new technology and know how to incorporate it in my personal and professional life. Tech savvy would be synonymous to my name. But it is not. As my masters program for educational technology comes to an end, the realization hits me that this is really only the beginning of my journey. I have only just begun to scratch the surface and see educational technology as resources through an educator’s perspective. Have I learned a lot? Yes, yes I have. Are there things I would do differently if I had to do this all over again? The answer would be yes again. Is this where I reflect, review, and relearn all that I have accomplished during this two year program? Oh crap! The answer is yes to that too. So let me highlight my MAET program experience in the following paragraphs.
The Courses, Of Course
Each of the ten courses within this Masters of Arts in Educational Technology has taught me exceptional amounts of valuable information. Some classes more than others and some professors more than others. I have taken: CEP 800, 806, 807, 810, 811, 812, 815, 818, 820, and 822. These courses have introduced to me different ways to evaluate technology, instructed me how to use technology more efficiently, and refreshed my knowledge on how students learn best.
The very first class I took was CEP 810: Teaching for Understanding with Computers with Caroline McCarthy and it was my most inspiring. This could be because it was my very first class and I was thoroughly excited about fattening up my educational technology resource bag. However, I don’t think this is the case. Caroline introduced me to a world of technology that I had never seen before. She showed me things my Microsoft Office can do that I never knew it could. Such as having music embedded into a Word document. I learned how to analyze innovations such as Classroom Performance Systems (CPS), incorporate an educational application using Microsoft Excel and Word documents, as well as collaborate with peers using Google docs and Skype to create a Powerpoint presentation. She also instructed me in an online course that didn’t seem so cold, distant, and virtual. She made her “office hours” online come alive. We were able to chat with her through text or audio in her chat room. She was able to walk us through how to complete the assignments and troubleshoot solutions live. The way she ran this course made me believe that technology really can enhance the educational experience. Caroline really guided us through the course. It was the course that made me interested in completing the masters program versus just the certificate program.
CEP 820: Teaching K-12 Students Online with Laeeq Khan was a class that not only taught me more about Google docs, but it forced me to have to use it. All assignments needed to be posted in Google Docs and it is something I can refer back to today. This would be a wonderful way for me to have my students upload their work, be able to showcase it to others in the class, and make them responsible for letting me know when they have completed an assignment. Not only did I use Google Docs, I was also introduced to making rubrics on Google. The Google Rubric that I created can be used for students to pre-grade their projects as well as receive feedback from me once I grade it immediately. CEP 820 allowed for me to use Edutools to evaluate different Learning Management Systems to find which one would be right for me. I ended up choosing Moodle LMS. The set up of this assignment has prepared me to incorporate Moodle into my classroom this year. I look forward to having a hybrid class. I think it will help me to stay focused, on task, and generate opportunities for my students. One of the things most beneficial about this course, as well as others, is the time spent to play and figure out new programs, software, etc. Those experiences are the ones that have a long lasting impact, especially when I incorporate them into my professional work.
CEP 822: Approaches to Educational Research with David E. Wong was one class that I struggled in. I don’t know who loves to write research papers, but it is definitely not this girl. I think the biggest problem with research papers is all the reading. After a long day of work, with a million other things that could or should be done, I found myself having to read lots and lots of articles. One thing different about his course were the very strict deadlines. There was a feeling of no nonsense and lack of compassion from him, and sometimes a sense of belittlement if I were to have difficulty completing an “easy” task. As I reflect, I can see why he was so strict on his deadlines. He understood that getting behind when trying to complete a research paper of this magnitude would overwhelm and crush the procrastinator’s ability to produce a quality product. Never the less, I like how it wasn’t just about writing the research paper. The Self Study Video Report required that I use screen shots, Audacity to record my voice and the background music, and Windows Movie Maker to put it all together. The video report is a visual and audio masterpiece walking me through my process of writing my research paper.
One thing that may be overlooked about this course was the introduction survey. Dr. Wong asked us to pinpoint times in the week we planned on doing the work for this course. Before the class was able to fully begin, he wanted us to set aside time to complete the work that was soon to come. Wong’s course was not the only course to pose a survey at the beginning, but his is just one I recall that was making us hold ourselves accountable to the high work regimen. I can see myself following his example and requiring my students to set their own standards of accountability.
Room for Improvement
What is a reflective essay without the opportunity to point out the areas for improvement? There are areas for me to improve as well as things that could be better for the MAET program. Let’s talk about me first. Three areas of necessary progress for me would have to be prioritizing obligations, implementing knowledge immediately, and keeping good records of new acquired skills.
My number one nemesis during this journey has been my inability to release prior obligations. Everyone knows that when you work on a master’s program you are supposed to cut your responsibilities, avoid social events, and stay awake during the wee hours of the morning finishing those assignments. I, unfortunately, attempted to maintain all of my prior obligations and add new responsibilities during this critical time of expanding my knowledge. The result was stress and health issues. I have had more colds and viruses this past year than my first year teaching!
My number two downfall was not implementing the new skills that I learned during this program immediately into my classroom environment. I didn’t want to try it out until I had the time to perfect it. Now that I think about it, I could have worked on the perfection from the feedback I received from 150 students.
My lack of good records to guide me back through my educational growth is my third arch-rival. I should have kept detailed notes on what I learned through each course regardless of if a reflection essay was required or not. I wish that I would have documented every new technology that was covered during each course. I could have given my opinion on each, a way to use it in my classroom or personal life, as well as instructions on how to use it. This would help me to recall my thoughts and ideas about that specific technology as well as remind me how to use it years from when I learned about it. The saying goes that if you don’t use it you lose it. There are so many different technologies that have been introduced to me that I have lost track. It is all a blur.
But what is not a blur is the thing that frustrated me about the MAET program. I truly believe that the work done during this program is very beneficial and the number one person I learn from is my past self. During this program however, very rarely could I look back at my old course work that was done online through Angel. It would have been nice to use Angel as our personal educational storage resource. Would it be so bad to keep the courses we have completed open, so that we can go back to review it? A lot of tutorials, discussions, and other vital information were shared upon those virtual walls never to be retrieved again. It is not until the end that you realize the importance of the beginning.
The End Is a New Beginning
This program has given me a new perspective on my profession. It has caused me to look at myself first and get a better understanding of me the person, the educator, and the future me. In review of my class work I ran across my personal learning plan from my first course CEP 810. There was a paragraph that stood out to me which I think summarizes my thoughts about where I need to begin.
“I have learned that an effective teacher is one that has a great understanding of the content material as well as the best way for them to engage their target audience into learning about the content material. This teacher strategizes to create a safe, caring, and structured learning environment. This teacher doesn’t waste time but uses time efficiently and effectively in curriculum related activities. The effective teacher creates opportunities for deeper thinking and application of knowledge, and is constantly reflecting and revising a masterfully thought out lesson plan. These characteristics are the foundation of the effective teacher. This has to be in place before any technology can be incorporated.”
I believe that technology can’t be the only focus of a lesson plan; it must be a tool to enhance the educational experience. As stated in my goals as a future learner I will need to be very practical about this process. I will need a tech savvy mentor, a peer group or colleagues who has similar desires to use more technology, take advantage of my districts professional development, and use my students are resources and guinea pigs.
I see now that these ten classes were not to get me immediately to my ultimate goal of technology guru; however it was to start me in the right direction. These classes have opened my eyes to a lot of information and resources. I have learned so much and yet I am still making plans to improve on the things I have improved. My original plan for growth was to gather a variety of techniques and strategies to enhance my teaching. I wanted to find, take note of, and establish usefulness in new technology. My new goals are more focused on ways to be pro-active in how to incorporate web 2.0 into my classroom. It is very important that I set aside more time throughout the week for integrating new ideas, playing with programs, and updating current programs. I will investigate the new web 2.0 technologies that I hear about from my netvibes RSS feed using the analysis techniques I have learned. I want to stay on top of my grading by using technology like the Classroom Performance System clickers to give my students the immediate feedback we both desire. I will give my students the opportunity to explore information using StAIRs, web quests, and internet simulations. I plan to have them engage in educational blogs and wikis to showcase work and thoughts. I will create a Facebook page for my class to encourage discussion from my students outside of school. My students will be taught sometimes via podcasts, video, or digital storytelling. I am looking forward to using Moodle this coming school year in all my classes.
My main goal is still to gather a variety of techniques and strategies to improve my teaching. I have just begun to establish numerous sub-goals in order to achieve that goal. The hard part of completing this program is taking what I have learned and what I would change or improve upon to the next level, which is implementing all facets into my life from here on out. I must use what I have learned so that I don’t lose it. I must make sure that this new found information is now part of my “goodie bag” of educational resources.
I Said it Before, So I Will Say It Again
So I haven’t achieved my ultimate goal of being a tech savvy Spartan yet. Big whoop! But I am closer now than I was before. Ah, life’s journey of ups, downs, and turn-arounds only make me stronger, smarter, and more prepared for where I am about to go. I have learned a multitude of lessons, made mistakes as well as plans for improvement, and have an arsenal of materials to refer to for future endeavors. I would like to thank the supportive team at Michigan State University for providing me with the opportunity to achieve this degree. Attending Michigan State University and completing the Masters of Arts in Educational Technology Program has been a worthwhile experience and I believe I am a better person and educator because of it.
At the completion of my masters program in educational technology I expected to be a technology guru. I would be someone my colleagues turn to for technology help, my classroom will have the perfect blend of technology to enhance the learning experience, and I would have full working knowledge as to what resources are at my fingertips. I would be at the cutting edge of information about new technology and know how to incorporate it in my personal and professional life. Tech savvy would be synonymous to my name. But it is not. As my masters program for educational technology comes to an end, the realization hits me that this is really only the beginning of my journey. I have only just begun to scratch the surface and see educational technology as resources through an educator’s perspective. Have I learned a lot? Yes, yes I have. Are there things I would do differently if I had to do this all over again? The answer would be yes again. Is this where I reflect, review, and relearn all that I have accomplished during this two year program? Oh crap! The answer is yes to that too. So let me highlight my MAET program experience in the following paragraphs.
The Courses, Of Course
Each of the ten courses within this Masters of Arts in Educational Technology has taught me exceptional amounts of valuable information. Some classes more than others and some professors more than others. I have taken: CEP 800, 806, 807, 810, 811, 812, 815, 818, 820, and 822. These courses have introduced to me different ways to evaluate technology, instructed me how to use technology more efficiently, and refreshed my knowledge on how students learn best.
The very first class I took was CEP 810: Teaching for Understanding with Computers with Caroline McCarthy and it was my most inspiring. This could be because it was my very first class and I was thoroughly excited about fattening up my educational technology resource bag. However, I don’t think this is the case. Caroline introduced me to a world of technology that I had never seen before. She showed me things my Microsoft Office can do that I never knew it could. Such as having music embedded into a Word document. I learned how to analyze innovations such as Classroom Performance Systems (CPS), incorporate an educational application using Microsoft Excel and Word documents, as well as collaborate with peers using Google docs and Skype to create a Powerpoint presentation. She also instructed me in an online course that didn’t seem so cold, distant, and virtual. She made her “office hours” online come alive. We were able to chat with her through text or audio in her chat room. She was able to walk us through how to complete the assignments and troubleshoot solutions live. The way she ran this course made me believe that technology really can enhance the educational experience. Caroline really guided us through the course. It was the course that made me interested in completing the masters program versus just the certificate program.
CEP 820: Teaching K-12 Students Online with Laeeq Khan was a class that not only taught me more about Google docs, but it forced me to have to use it. All assignments needed to be posted in Google Docs and it is something I can refer back to today. This would be a wonderful way for me to have my students upload their work, be able to showcase it to others in the class, and make them responsible for letting me know when they have completed an assignment. Not only did I use Google Docs, I was also introduced to making rubrics on Google. The Google Rubric that I created can be used for students to pre-grade their projects as well as receive feedback from me once I grade it immediately. CEP 820 allowed for me to use Edutools to evaluate different Learning Management Systems to find which one would be right for me. I ended up choosing Moodle LMS. The set up of this assignment has prepared me to incorporate Moodle into my classroom this year. I look forward to having a hybrid class. I think it will help me to stay focused, on task, and generate opportunities for my students. One of the things most beneficial about this course, as well as others, is the time spent to play and figure out new programs, software, etc. Those experiences are the ones that have a long lasting impact, especially when I incorporate them into my professional work.
CEP 822: Approaches to Educational Research with David E. Wong was one class that I struggled in. I don’t know who loves to write research papers, but it is definitely not this girl. I think the biggest problem with research papers is all the reading. After a long day of work, with a million other things that could or should be done, I found myself having to read lots and lots of articles. One thing different about his course were the very strict deadlines. There was a feeling of no nonsense and lack of compassion from him, and sometimes a sense of belittlement if I were to have difficulty completing an “easy” task. As I reflect, I can see why he was so strict on his deadlines. He understood that getting behind when trying to complete a research paper of this magnitude would overwhelm and crush the procrastinator’s ability to produce a quality product. Never the less, I like how it wasn’t just about writing the research paper. The Self Study Video Report required that I use screen shots, Audacity to record my voice and the background music, and Windows Movie Maker to put it all together. The video report is a visual and audio masterpiece walking me through my process of writing my research paper.
One thing that may be overlooked about this course was the introduction survey. Dr. Wong asked us to pinpoint times in the week we planned on doing the work for this course. Before the class was able to fully begin, he wanted us to set aside time to complete the work that was soon to come. Wong’s course was not the only course to pose a survey at the beginning, but his is just one I recall that was making us hold ourselves accountable to the high work regimen. I can see myself following his example and requiring my students to set their own standards of accountability.
Room for Improvement
What is a reflective essay without the opportunity to point out the areas for improvement? There are areas for me to improve as well as things that could be better for the MAET program. Let’s talk about me first. Three areas of necessary progress for me would have to be prioritizing obligations, implementing knowledge immediately, and keeping good records of new acquired skills.
My number one nemesis during this journey has been my inability to release prior obligations. Everyone knows that when you work on a master’s program you are supposed to cut your responsibilities, avoid social events, and stay awake during the wee hours of the morning finishing those assignments. I, unfortunately, attempted to maintain all of my prior obligations and add new responsibilities during this critical time of expanding my knowledge. The result was stress and health issues. I have had more colds and viruses this past year than my first year teaching!
My number two downfall was not implementing the new skills that I learned during this program immediately into my classroom environment. I didn’t want to try it out until I had the time to perfect it. Now that I think about it, I could have worked on the perfection from the feedback I received from 150 students.
My lack of good records to guide me back through my educational growth is my third arch-rival. I should have kept detailed notes on what I learned through each course regardless of if a reflection essay was required or not. I wish that I would have documented every new technology that was covered during each course. I could have given my opinion on each, a way to use it in my classroom or personal life, as well as instructions on how to use it. This would help me to recall my thoughts and ideas about that specific technology as well as remind me how to use it years from when I learned about it. The saying goes that if you don’t use it you lose it. There are so many different technologies that have been introduced to me that I have lost track. It is all a blur.
But what is not a blur is the thing that frustrated me about the MAET program. I truly believe that the work done during this program is very beneficial and the number one person I learn from is my past self. During this program however, very rarely could I look back at my old course work that was done online through Angel. It would have been nice to use Angel as our personal educational storage resource. Would it be so bad to keep the courses we have completed open, so that we can go back to review it? A lot of tutorials, discussions, and other vital information were shared upon those virtual walls never to be retrieved again. It is not until the end that you realize the importance of the beginning.
The End Is a New Beginning
This program has given me a new perspective on my profession. It has caused me to look at myself first and get a better understanding of me the person, the educator, and the future me. In review of my class work I ran across my personal learning plan from my first course CEP 810. There was a paragraph that stood out to me which I think summarizes my thoughts about where I need to begin.
“I have learned that an effective teacher is one that has a great understanding of the content material as well as the best way for them to engage their target audience into learning about the content material. This teacher strategizes to create a safe, caring, and structured learning environment. This teacher doesn’t waste time but uses time efficiently and effectively in curriculum related activities. The effective teacher creates opportunities for deeper thinking and application of knowledge, and is constantly reflecting and revising a masterfully thought out lesson plan. These characteristics are the foundation of the effective teacher. This has to be in place before any technology can be incorporated.”
I believe that technology can’t be the only focus of a lesson plan; it must be a tool to enhance the educational experience. As stated in my goals as a future learner I will need to be very practical about this process. I will need a tech savvy mentor, a peer group or colleagues who has similar desires to use more technology, take advantage of my districts professional development, and use my students are resources and guinea pigs.
I see now that these ten classes were not to get me immediately to my ultimate goal of technology guru; however it was to start me in the right direction. These classes have opened my eyes to a lot of information and resources. I have learned so much and yet I am still making plans to improve on the things I have improved. My original plan for growth was to gather a variety of techniques and strategies to enhance my teaching. I wanted to find, take note of, and establish usefulness in new technology. My new goals are more focused on ways to be pro-active in how to incorporate web 2.0 into my classroom. It is very important that I set aside more time throughout the week for integrating new ideas, playing with programs, and updating current programs. I will investigate the new web 2.0 technologies that I hear about from my netvibes RSS feed using the analysis techniques I have learned. I want to stay on top of my grading by using technology like the Classroom Performance System clickers to give my students the immediate feedback we both desire. I will give my students the opportunity to explore information using StAIRs, web quests, and internet simulations. I plan to have them engage in educational blogs and wikis to showcase work and thoughts. I will create a Facebook page for my class to encourage discussion from my students outside of school. My students will be taught sometimes via podcasts, video, or digital storytelling. I am looking forward to using Moodle this coming school year in all my classes.
My main goal is still to gather a variety of techniques and strategies to improve my teaching. I have just begun to establish numerous sub-goals in order to achieve that goal. The hard part of completing this program is taking what I have learned and what I would change or improve upon to the next level, which is implementing all facets into my life from here on out. I must use what I have learned so that I don’t lose it. I must make sure that this new found information is now part of my “goodie bag” of educational resources.
I Said it Before, So I Will Say It Again
So I haven’t achieved my ultimate goal of being a tech savvy Spartan yet. Big whoop! But I am closer now than I was before. Ah, life’s journey of ups, downs, and turn-arounds only make me stronger, smarter, and more prepared for where I am about to go. I have learned a multitude of lessons, made mistakes as well as plans for improvement, and have an arsenal of materials to refer to for future endeavors. I would like to thank the supportive team at Michigan State University for providing me with the opportunity to achieve this degree. Attending Michigan State University and completing the Masters of Arts in Educational Technology Program has been a worthwhile experience and I believe I am a better person and educator because of it.
