A Reflective Essay on the Evolution of My Goals
or
"Change is inevitable.
Except from a vending machine."
- Robert C. Gallagher
When I first applied to Michigan State University’s Masters in Educational Technology (MAET) program in February 2011, I wrote a goal statement that described my longtime goal of being more than “just” a teacher. Since I began teaching, I have always aimed to be the type of educator that changes children’s lives by preparing them to be passionate, life-long learners. In this statement I wrote, “I strive to not only meet the basic educational needs of the students who walk into my classroom, but also to make the curriculum applicable to these 21st century learners. The key to achieving this goal is to use what speaks to children today – technology.”
As I have progressed through the MAET program, this basic goal has evolved. Of course, my goal remains to use technology to change the climate of my classroom into one that is technology-driven. However, I now recognize the varying degrees of technology use within the classroom. The Web 2.0 resources I have learned about through this program have enhanced my understanding of what it means to use technology in the classroom. I now see technology not just as a medium that allows students to access knowledge, but as a powerful tool that can shape the very nature of learning. I strive to integrate technology in a way that challenges students to use inquiry and higher-level thinking to apply their knowledge through project-based learning. In other words, my goal is not only to make learning relevant to 21st century learners, but to use technology to equip my students with the type of thinking and problem solving that they will need to be successful in this increasingly technological world.
In my original goal statement, I also wrote, “I aspire to become a leader in education. I truly believe that teaching is a team effort... We must share our expertise and experiences with each other in order to help all of our students succeed. Because collaboration is a vital part of teaching, one of my main goals is to share my knowledge with other educators.”
I still hold the goal to one day work as an education technologist at the district level, but as I progress through the MAET program, I have also expanded upon this leadership goal. I am now aware of what such a job truly entails. I understand the importance of providing support to teachers as they work to use technology in their classrooms, and also of the importance of developing a solid vision for technology use within a school and district. My goal has transformed from just sharing my knowledge with other teachers, to one day become a technology leader who understands the complex relationship between teaching, learning, and technology. My goal is to use this knowledge to build a vision for technology use where the objective of increasing student learning always remains the focus.
Early in this program, I wrote a Professional Learning Plan in which I stated that my overarching goal was “to continue learning and growing as an educator, far into the future.” Through this program, I have seen first-hand how technology can be used to connect with and learn from others, both formally and informally. This remains a goal as I graduate equipped with tools and knowledge to continue my professional learning beyond the scope of the MAET program. It is the knowledge I gain and my attitude towards life-long learning that will also support my students as they become passionate learners, even beyond the walls of our classroom.
As I have progressed through the MAET program, this basic goal has evolved. Of course, my goal remains to use technology to change the climate of my classroom into one that is technology-driven. However, I now recognize the varying degrees of technology use within the classroom. The Web 2.0 resources I have learned about through this program have enhanced my understanding of what it means to use technology in the classroom. I now see technology not just as a medium that allows students to access knowledge, but as a powerful tool that can shape the very nature of learning. I strive to integrate technology in a way that challenges students to use inquiry and higher-level thinking to apply their knowledge through project-based learning. In other words, my goal is not only to make learning relevant to 21st century learners, but to use technology to equip my students with the type of thinking and problem solving that they will need to be successful in this increasingly technological world.
In my original goal statement, I also wrote, “I aspire to become a leader in education. I truly believe that teaching is a team effort... We must share our expertise and experiences with each other in order to help all of our students succeed. Because collaboration is a vital part of teaching, one of my main goals is to share my knowledge with other educators.”
I still hold the goal to one day work as an education technologist at the district level, but as I progress through the MAET program, I have also expanded upon this leadership goal. I am now aware of what such a job truly entails. I understand the importance of providing support to teachers as they work to use technology in their classrooms, and also of the importance of developing a solid vision for technology use within a school and district. My goal has transformed from just sharing my knowledge with other teachers, to one day become a technology leader who understands the complex relationship between teaching, learning, and technology. My goal is to use this knowledge to build a vision for technology use where the objective of increasing student learning always remains the focus.
Early in this program, I wrote a Professional Learning Plan in which I stated that my overarching goal was “to continue learning and growing as an educator, far into the future.” Through this program, I have seen first-hand how technology can be used to connect with and learn from others, both formally and informally. This remains a goal as I graduate equipped with tools and knowledge to continue my professional learning beyond the scope of the MAET program. It is the knowledge I gain and my attitude towards life-long learning that will also support my students as they become passionate learners, even beyond the walls of our classroom.
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