Through a student point of view: A reflection...
A lot has changed since I first began thinking about getting my Masters. At that time, I had just graduated with my Bachelors degree, I was living on the college campus and looking for substitute teaching positions. I knew I would not be able to find a full-time position as I had graduated in December, and I was sad to be done with school. Going to class, taking notes, completing projects- Being in school was all I had known, and it was coming to an end. I enjoy learning and exploring new things, so I decided to continue my education and complete the Technology Certificate coursework through MSU.
A few weeks into my first class, and I was hooked! It was refreshing, and new, and exciting! I was learning so many things about technology- I was fascinated with all of the resources that are available with technology. I was designing lessons, and projects that I could use in my classroom to help my students become familiar with technology as well. I earned my Technology Certificate in May 2010. It was only natural that I continue with the Masters program. In June, I found myself reflecting on the great experience I had with my certificate coursework, and my goals for the future as I wrote my Personal Goal Statement.
Now, as I read through my goal statement, I am proud of the accomplishments I have made, as many line up with the ones I had set in my goal statement a year earlier. I was eager to learn new ways to better myself, and my students and I can say that my Masters coursework has helped me do that. For example, I have created this website in which I can showcase myself as a professional, and give my students and parents a way to get to know me and my ideas. I have designed a page in which I showcase student work. I have had many parents visit the site to see what their child is doing in class. It has been a great way for me to connect with my community.
Another goal I had set for myself was finding ways to incorporate different types of technology into the classroom. Throughout this past school year I have been able to present my students with different technology-related experiences. My school is limited in resources, but I was able to use what we have to demonstrate how important technology is. I gave my students the opportunity to use a SmartBoard, they created PowerPoint presentations as part of a science unit, we took our camp journals and turned them into a digital scrapbook that plays through YouTube, and created word clouds as a reflective piece at the end of the school year.
I knew I would learn a lot through the Masters program, but I had no idea how great of an impact it would have on my personal and professional life. I have learned more than I thought I would, and have become an even greater advocate for technology. I have been able to inspire others, as I share my experiences and what I have learned. I have grown as a professional, and I look forward to being able to keep up with the ever-changing world of technology. As I get to know my students, I realize how much they rely on technology in their life. For most of them, it is a natural element in their life. In order to stay in touch with their world, I need to continue to grow and learn with them. When I applied for my teaching certificate, I also signed on to being a life-long learner. I just hope I can keep up!
A few weeks into my first class, and I was hooked! It was refreshing, and new, and exciting! I was learning so many things about technology- I was fascinated with all of the resources that are available with technology. I was designing lessons, and projects that I could use in my classroom to help my students become familiar with technology as well. I earned my Technology Certificate in May 2010. It was only natural that I continue with the Masters program. In June, I found myself reflecting on the great experience I had with my certificate coursework, and my goals for the future as I wrote my Personal Goal Statement.
Now, as I read through my goal statement, I am proud of the accomplishments I have made, as many line up with the ones I had set in my goal statement a year earlier. I was eager to learn new ways to better myself, and my students and I can say that my Masters coursework has helped me do that. For example, I have created this website in which I can showcase myself as a professional, and give my students and parents a way to get to know me and my ideas. I have designed a page in which I showcase student work. I have had many parents visit the site to see what their child is doing in class. It has been a great way for me to connect with my community.
Another goal I had set for myself was finding ways to incorporate different types of technology into the classroom. Throughout this past school year I have been able to present my students with different technology-related experiences. My school is limited in resources, but I was able to use what we have to demonstrate how important technology is. I gave my students the opportunity to use a SmartBoard, they created PowerPoint presentations as part of a science unit, we took our camp journals and turned them into a digital scrapbook that plays through YouTube, and created word clouds as a reflective piece at the end of the school year.
I knew I would learn a lot through the Masters program, but I had no idea how great of an impact it would have on my personal and professional life. I have learned more than I thought I would, and have become an even greater advocate for technology. I have been able to inspire others, as I share my experiences and what I have learned. I have grown as a professional, and I look forward to being able to keep up with the ever-changing world of technology. As I get to know my students, I realize how much they rely on technology in their life. For most of them, it is a natural element in their life. In order to stay in touch with their world, I need to continue to grow and learn with them. When I applied for my teaching certificate, I also signed on to being a life-long learner. I just hope I can keep up!
