I have wanted to pursue a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology for several years, but the timing has never been correct. I teach in Calcasieu Parish, which has a very aggressive technology program. Over the years I have taken CBT (Computer-based Training) from a variety of different instructors, with varying degrees of success. As a digital immigrant, I have been fascinated by new technology in classroom, but very intimidated by it at the same time. I have discovered that other digital immigrants share the same feelings of insecurity toward technology that I do. I want to be the technology leader that puts them at ease. Finally, I decided that if I waited for the timing to be perfect, I would never even start a program. An online program is best for me because of family situations, so I began researching programs throughout the country. There are so many! I quickly learned that many of them either did not offer the program I was interested in, were not accredited, or were very, very expensive. Last spring, Lamar University offered a partnership program to Calcasieu Parish School teachers, and it seemed as if the all the puzzle pieces were fitting into place. I applied for a sabbatical for the next school year so that I could immerse myself in my program. Everything was perfect. Welcome to graduate school.
Before I began my first course, I felt like I knew what to expect. I had taken online courses before, but nothing of this magnitude. I was prepared for a lot of reading and discussion boards; I was ready for lots of hands-on learning with 2.0 web tools. I wanted to find out about different theories of learning and instruction. I also expected to become immersed in new types of technology, things I had never heard of that I would be able to transfer to an elementary setting. I expected to begin learning ways to improve not only my teaching ability, but also to become a technology leader in my school. I feel as though I have achieved the outcomes in this course, although I know I still have a lot to learn. I have found simple procedures that will not only help me in my instruction, but can be utilized by the students themselves. I thought I would need a whole new bag of tricks: I had not expected to be able take tools already in my school toolkit and make them fit the needs of my students. I also had not expected my personal opinions and outlook to start transforming in such a short period of time.
Now that I have acquired some new skills, will they work in my school environment? Our school district has had a Blackboard system set up for several years, the same as most school systems do now. I had taken the required Blackboard courses, but to be honest, working within the system daily was not a priority with me. Through just this first course, I have to come appreciate what a valuable tool I have had at my disposal, and I have not taken advantage of it. When we set up our blogs and had to reflect upon the uses for them in the school setting, I realized I could have used this with my students a long time ago through my Blackboard website. What had seemed overwhelming to me only a year ago, now is a possibility that I can’t wait to use. I’m also excited about the use of a wiki with my co-workers; a CBT class that we took last year would have been much easier if we had used one. We wasted so much time with revolving e-mails. I’ve also appreciated learning some simple 2.0 tools: Wordles is a 2.0 tool that even my first graders can use.
I knew that according to the program outline I was supposed to be part of an online learning community, but I also knew that I was pretty much on my own, and I could handle that. As the first week started, I quickly became quite overwhelmed. I had difficulty with the systems and with the mechanics of what I was doing. (Why do we need all these different passwords and usernames for Lamar? What the heck is Tk20 anyway?) My professional writing skills were rusty, and APA style was all Greek to me. As I took the self-assessments I learned my suspicions about my technology skills were accurate: I was woefully inept. I didn’t even know what some of the terms meant. The second week was not much better. As the third week rolled around, however, with each completed assignment, I began to realize I really could do this. As we set up our blogs and wikis and learned about each other, I became excited at the tools I now had at my fingertips. When we posted our curricula vitae, and helped each other edit, all of a sudden it hit me that I really was becoming part of a community. I wasn’t alone after all.
As I become more immersed in this program, I realize my opinions are starting to undergo a sea change. I have always talked about using new technology in the classroom, but my usage was really only on a perfunctory level. I have used it myself for instruction, but interaction by students has been limited to a Promethean flipchart or traditional student computer use: drill and practice, entertainment, or assessment along the lines of Accelerated Reader or STAR testing. Now I have begun to view it as a viable means of problem solving for students, something I have not even considered before. In the past, when I have heard other teachers talk about using blogs in the classroom, I have thought, “That won’t work in first grade.” Now I know better. Through the research I have done, I have become much more aware of technology programs that have already been put into place in the school system and what the needs are. I am now much more knowledgeable about NETS for students and teachers and how my own school district is working to meet those goals. When I started this program I knew I was interested not only in technology integration in the elementary curriculum, but also in leadership skills. Although I am not interested in a principalship, acquiring the communication and leadership skills necessary for such a position can only make me a stronger, more accomplished teacher and professional. The research has made me much more appreciative of all of the roles my administrators currently fill. I have already learned so much in these areas in five weeks; I look forward to the next course as I continue my educational journey.
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