"Future Goals Essay"
Lifelong learner
As a 2nd grade teacher I feel that it is so important for me to practice what we, as teachers, preach daily: learning is important. I will be a learner for the rest of my life. There are constantly new things in education and in life that I have to learn how to adjust and adapt to. That's normal. To continue learning I pursued my Masters in Educational Technology at Michigan State University.
Besides my new Masters label is the countdown to when my school district will be implementing new technology and doing a major classroom facelifts district wide. In my first three years I'd been in three classrooms (within the same building!) And I've been through a construction change before in my career (see images below for details.) I know that it comes with staff worries and anxiety regarding the unknown and the new.
Besides my new Masters label is the countdown to when my school district will be implementing new technology and doing a major classroom facelifts district wide. In my first three years I'd been in three classrooms (within the same building!) And I've been through a construction change before in my career (see images below for details.) I know that it comes with staff worries and anxiety regarding the unknown and the new.
3rd classroom (May 2018) - Grand Rapids Public Schools
Interactive Whiteboard, EPSON document camera, teacher Surface Pro, 2:1 Chromebooks
Interactive Whiteboard, EPSON document camera, teacher Surface Pro, 2:1 Chromebooks
4th classroom (June 2018) - Haslett Public Schools
SmartBoard, 2 Desktop Computers, 3 iPads, shared Chromebook cart
SmartBoard, 2 Desktop Computers, 3 iPads, shared Chromebook cart
Thinking about this new change has gotten me thinking about some personal goals that will benefit myself and my district.
I am beyond excited to be getting new technology again when this new makeover of our classrooms is completed! But I know the start of the 2020 school year will be different with this new technology. Here is where my first two goals to excel within this new professional environment come in.
- Assist coworkers with new technology.
- Continue to learn through professional development tailored to new technology.
- Attend the 2020 MACUL (Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning) conference.
I am beyond excited to be getting new technology again when this new makeover of our classrooms is completed! But I know the start of the 2020 school year will be different with this new technology. Here is where my first two goals to excel within this new professional environment come in.
Goal #1
My main goal is to help teach my coworkers how to use this new technology that we will be receiving. The following are some of the questions that I would want to make sure to explain:
I want to help my coworkers be lifelong learners who are not intimidated by newness and hopefully welcome these changes with open arms. Yes, our SmartSlides will still work. But are there better ways for us to use these devices? I don't want this opportunity to just be a "new" SmartBoard, which leads me to my second goal.
- How do you manipulate the screen?
- How can you split the screen between computer and document camera?
- What buttons are usable?
- How can you adjust the Interactive whiteboard options (graph paper, lines, etc?)
- How do you change the writing tools?
- Is saving a screen/printing an option with our devices?
- What current programs will still work on an Interactive Whiteboard?
I want to help my coworkers be lifelong learners who are not intimidated by newness and hopefully welcome these changes with open arms. Yes, our SmartSlides will still work. But are there better ways for us to use these devices? I don't want this opportunity to just be a "new" SmartBoard, which leads me to my second goal.
GOAL #2
We talked during my second year in the Educational Technology (MAET) program at MSU, that revolutionizing technology is not just replacing one tech with another, like in the case from a chalkboard to a whiteboard to a Smartboard. With Interactive Whiteboards students can manipulate any text that's projected. Multiple students can be working on problems together. A computer screen and document camera can be displayed at the same time to help students comprehend and access information. But what else can it do?
I want to find professional development where I can participate and learn better ways of using this technology to better my students' learning experiences. I will continue to keep a lookout for opportunities, but below are some options for development or resources that I would like to look into:
My final goal builds further on professional development.
I want to find professional development where I can participate and learn better ways of using this technology to better my students' learning experiences. I will continue to keep a lookout for opportunities, but below are some options for development or resources that I would like to look into:
- Class Cover - Effective use of Interactive Whiteboards
- White Rose Maths - interactive resources
- Common Sense Education - Top Interactive Whiteboard Apps
My final goal builds further on professional development.
Goal #3
After doing research on the 2019 MACUL during my MAET program, I became interested in what it would be like to go to MACUL 2020. My district asked interested teachers to apply and I was chosen to go as one of two people from my building! My teammate is also going so I hope we can brainstorm some new ideas to bring back to our team. I also hope to make some great connections with other teachers and tech users while I'm there.
Conclusion
I hope that by reaching these goals I will reach a better understanding of how to use my new classroom technology to its fullest potential.