The Teacher I Was and The Teacher I Became  

 

Two years ago, I was beginning my first year as a Second Grade Teacher when I decided to apply to Michigan State University’s Master of the Arts in Educational Technology (MAET). I chose this specific program over many of the others because it was one that I could complete on my computer while still pouring all of my heart into my new classroom. However, as I sat down to narrate my goals as a part of my application process I realized my reasoning went much deeper beyond “convenience.” My goal became to learn how to successfully teach a new generation driven by technology. A big part of this goal was my need to learn how to transform my classroom computers, iPad, and SMARTBOARD into an educational tool. I naively assumed that there was a secret category of technology designed specifically for education existing outside the realm of technology accessed by the general public and the MAET program courses would train me on how to use them.

     

 

Receiving my acceptance only made me more determined to learn all the ins and outs of the successful implementation of technology. I was excited to start incorporating it into my lessons as soon as possible, satisfying the use of technology on my teacher evaluation in a highly effective way. I would know that my goal was met if I saw students working on the computer in an engaged way on a daily basis. It was not until my professor showed me Punya Mishra’s speech at the 21st Century Learning Conference that I learned there is no such thing as educational technology. Teachers re-purpose technology in order to enhance student learning. With a change in mindset and countless hours spent learning how to repurpose technology through Blended Learning, Project Based Learning, Design Thinking, and Maker Movement my initial goal changed drastically. I no longer strived to learn how to use my current technology in an educational way. Now my goal is to empowered myself to learn how I can use my new repurposed tools in order to teach children collaboration, critical and creative thinking, problem solving, and connecting to real world issues. My new goal focuses on shifting my classroom from teacher centered, to student centered learning. Rather than tracking my use of technology, I will now know my goals have been met when I see my students taking charge, asking the questions, and working together to discover solutions.

     

 

When comparing my initial goals created at the start of my Master’s program to my revised ending goals, I can see how much I have grown as an educator, learner, and leader. As a teacher in today’s world, it can be easy to look for easy ways to satisfy new requirements since we are so busy writing lesson plans, creating assessments, and trying to differentiate for our students. This was a pit the old me was falling into. The new me has a whole new focus on keeping my eye on creating personalized experiences leading to positive student outcomes and how to get there. I am hoping one day I can become a technology leader and help others come to the same realization I have.

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