Goal Reflection
Learning through Reflection
Past. Present. Future.
Past Goals
When I began teaching, I knew I would have to further my education. At first, I didn’t think a lot about what I would go back to master in. Originally, a few years ago I thought I would go back for administration. In my first-year teaching, my principal inspired my initial interest in administration. Flash forward to two years ago, where I had a change of heart. Now working in a public school in Michigan, knowing how rapid technology was impacting education, I became interested in how technology can aid in the classroom.
Before entering Michigan State’s Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) program, I was interested in learning about technology and how it could improve the learning experience. While thinking about the future, with rapid changes in technology, and the uncertainty on what direction education was going in, I felt technology would continue to play a bigger role in education. My goal was to learn how I could incorporate technology into my teaching. I wanted to better prepare myself as a learner and educator for how the future, but even more my students.
Present & Future Goals
As I prepare to complete my masters degree, I have altered my goals since first enrolling in the program. This MAET program has been enlightening and surpassed my expectations from when I first entered. My goal original goal has stayed the same however I have added to it. I have been exposed to new ways of reasoning and utilizing technology for students and myself. With each course, I have developed new and different approaches to teach and to learn. Since I have been exposed to ways to incorporate technology into my classroom, one of my new goals is to share what I have learned with my peers. Through my education, I have explored ways to be more creative, ideas for peer learning, gathering feedback, and improved design just to name a few. These concepts can be applied to help students enhanced learning while preparing them for their future. I feel my colleagues would also benefit from knowing these new methods. These courses have demonstrated to me that there are new ways of learning, and many of them do not involve a textbook.
Another goal I did not see coming upon studying for my masters, is pursuing a new profession. Throughout my course within the MAET program, I have learned more about myself. I have discovered talents I want to explore more and share with others. I plan to explore different professions within educational technology, where I can share my talents in creative thinking and design, along with help educate others with technology.
Reflection
It is clear to me my goals have evolved in my educational career. I am inspired by having been through the MAET program. My courses have changed me as a learner as well as an educator. They have inspired me and taught me to learn outside the box. The several techniques I have used throughout my courses have encouraged me to emphasis learning, not teaching. I am excited to apply the knowledge I have gained to lead the change in teaching that is necessary to prepare our students for their future, a future that most certainly will be filled with technology.