The Climb
by: Angela Sonntag/Johnson
As my Master’s of Arts in Education Program came to an end, you can’t really expect the learning process to truly stop. The phrase “It’s not the end, it’s only the beginning” is something that constantly is running through my mind, because I know I will continue to seek out learning opportunities. My Master’s program has undoubtedly opened my eyes to a plethora of experiences that are now guiding me in a new direction towards using and teaching students how to make technology an integral part of their educational experience. I grew up during the age of dial up internet, but have seen great accomplishments develop from things like AIM to Mobi. I use the computer, internet, and other various forms of technology on a daily basis at home, at work, and like to be familiar with new trends. This is why the online format of Michigan State University’s Master’s program appealed to a student like myself, because I was comfortable with the online design. I also knew that the completely online program would challenge me to broaden my perspective on what a “classroom” can look like.
What especially interested me as an online student was the opportunities I had on learning how to post things onto an online forum, partake in thoughtful and meaningful online conversations, explore the internet’s many valuable websites for educational technology and research, utilize creative tools for working with images, and of course creating my most recent website. Since the initial exposure to these new technological and educational tools, I have found myself tinkering and exploring similar websites and devices that I can immediately use with my elementary school students. I think that actually taking what I learn and using it as a spring board for my own classroom is how I have really seen this program become effective for me. The courses I have experienced allowed me to step out of my teaching comfort zone and try something new in my classroom.
As a result, I am requesting more and more technology for my classroom and immersing my students with as many gadgets and devices as possible. I have seen how working with technology has increased my own learning and therefore I want to pass these learning experiences on to my students. I want to be the one to show them that the computer isn’t just another way to write a paper or create a clip art collage, but it is a place to share ideas, inspire creativity, discover new concepts, communicate, and publish what we find and create. Part of being a 21st century learner has to do with the desire to create, publish, and share what we are doing as learners. The technology that I introduce to my students with iPods, Smart boards, Mobi’s, website creation, onfizz.org, Edmodo, computers, and the internet should be an extension of their learning that enriches the process of what they are learning. I do not want the technological tools we use to just be another mode of writing a paper or reading a book digitally. I want it to be an experience that will increase their comprehension and strengthen their understanding of how they can interact with a 21st century world.
Many times I see Smart boards being used as glorified chalkboards or computers as fancier versions of a pencil and paper. This is another factor that has motivated me to use the end of my Master’s program as a stepping point and not the end of my learning experiences. My heart sinks to think of schools that have technology or the money for technology, but just don’t know what exactly to do with it. That is why part of my future goal as a teacher and student is to continue to learn as much about 21st century skills and tools and then teach students and colleagues how to utilize what they have. This would help to increase the amount of students who are more prepared for the world they live in, educate others about technology, and hopefully allow students to continue to create and participate in our advancing technological society.
In order to reach these goals of becoming a 21st century teacher to 21st century students, I have found myself creating plans and researching who else has these same aspirations. Recently I have been working with Nancy Mangum from the Friday Institute at North Carolina State University, who has offered to help me create a classroom that will fully integrate technology and utilize it to our greatest potential. Just through talking with the Friday Institute I have been able to seek out other professional development opportunities in the college setting again. In the near future I plan on attending educational technology seminars with the Institute and visit with surrounding schools that have the same technological goals. Hopefully speaking with other teachers who have similar goals will allow me to expand my learning and teaching even further. Educators who are actually using technology are the ones I need to interact and create with in order to reach an understanding of what is currently happening in other classrooms across the state.
Even with my Master’s degree just completed in December of 2010, I am already thinking of various doctoral programs I could eventually be a part of. With goals concerning the constantly changing areas of technology there is no short or easy path to obtaining them. My future of learning is definitely still taking shape and although there is no numbered outline for me to follow, I am confident that I have a renewed sense of perseverance to guide me through. I definitely at some point plan on continuing with more formal schooling, but also would like to work with private organizations, learn from others like myself, challenge others to explore technology, research new studies, and eventually teach a classroom of adults to do the same. So no matter which path I take or the order in which I travel, I plan on embarking on a journey that will allow me to continue to learn about how to use technology in such a way that learning seems only natural using current tools and resources that sculpt the 21st century world we live in.
What especially interested me as an online student was the opportunities I had on learning how to post things onto an online forum, partake in thoughtful and meaningful online conversations, explore the internet’s many valuable websites for educational technology and research, utilize creative tools for working with images, and of course creating my most recent website. Since the initial exposure to these new technological and educational tools, I have found myself tinkering and exploring similar websites and devices that I can immediately use with my elementary school students. I think that actually taking what I learn and using it as a spring board for my own classroom is how I have really seen this program become effective for me. The courses I have experienced allowed me to step out of my teaching comfort zone and try something new in my classroom.
As a result, I am requesting more and more technology for my classroom and immersing my students with as many gadgets and devices as possible. I have seen how working with technology has increased my own learning and therefore I want to pass these learning experiences on to my students. I want to be the one to show them that the computer isn’t just another way to write a paper or create a clip art collage, but it is a place to share ideas, inspire creativity, discover new concepts, communicate, and publish what we find and create. Part of being a 21st century learner has to do with the desire to create, publish, and share what we are doing as learners. The technology that I introduce to my students with iPods, Smart boards, Mobi’s, website creation, onfizz.org, Edmodo, computers, and the internet should be an extension of their learning that enriches the process of what they are learning. I do not want the technological tools we use to just be another mode of writing a paper or reading a book digitally. I want it to be an experience that will increase their comprehension and strengthen their understanding of how they can interact with a 21st century world.
Many times I see Smart boards being used as glorified chalkboards or computers as fancier versions of a pencil and paper. This is another factor that has motivated me to use the end of my Master’s program as a stepping point and not the end of my learning experiences. My heart sinks to think of schools that have technology or the money for technology, but just don’t know what exactly to do with it. That is why part of my future goal as a teacher and student is to continue to learn as much about 21st century skills and tools and then teach students and colleagues how to utilize what they have. This would help to increase the amount of students who are more prepared for the world they live in, educate others about technology, and hopefully allow students to continue to create and participate in our advancing technological society.
In order to reach these goals of becoming a 21st century teacher to 21st century students, I have found myself creating plans and researching who else has these same aspirations. Recently I have been working with Nancy Mangum from the Friday Institute at North Carolina State University, who has offered to help me create a classroom that will fully integrate technology and utilize it to our greatest potential. Just through talking with the Friday Institute I have been able to seek out other professional development opportunities in the college setting again. In the near future I plan on attending educational technology seminars with the Institute and visit with surrounding schools that have the same technological goals. Hopefully speaking with other teachers who have similar goals will allow me to expand my learning and teaching even further. Educators who are actually using technology are the ones I need to interact and create with in order to reach an understanding of what is currently happening in other classrooms across the state.
Even with my Master’s degree just completed in December of 2010, I am already thinking of various doctoral programs I could eventually be a part of. With goals concerning the constantly changing areas of technology there is no short or easy path to obtaining them. My future of learning is definitely still taking shape and although there is no numbered outline for me to follow, I am confident that I have a renewed sense of perseverance to guide me through. I definitely at some point plan on continuing with more formal schooling, but also would like to work with private organizations, learn from others like myself, challenge others to explore technology, research new studies, and eventually teach a classroom of adults to do the same. So no matter which path I take or the order in which I travel, I plan on embarking on a journey that will allow me to continue to learn about how to use technology in such a way that learning seems only natural using current tools and resources that sculpt the 21st century world we live in.