iProject
Learning is Constant
February 2013
Amy Palmer
February 2013
Amy Palmer
Obtaining a Masters in the field of education was always a goal of mine. I love teaching, but more importantly I love to learn. A Masters of Arts in Educational Technology was a perfect fit, and coming back to Michigan State University was absolutely ideal. My plan was to bring innovation and creativity into my personal and professional life in a unique and engaging way. I also wanted to be ready for the change that seems to be looming over the world of education.
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As a learner, I truly thought that I knew a lot about technology. I could send an email, use Microsoft Word, and search the web. My experience with the MAET coursework has pulled the digital rug from under my feet. Now I see a clear picture of what I knew, what I have learned, and the limitless knowledge that stands before me. I have found that it is only possible to know a little about technology because technology is constantly evolving. Everyday a new resource is created, a new technology is exposed, and an old tool is repurposed to benefit the educational community in a brand new way. I am constantly in awe of creative ideas and I commit to remaining open-minded. Never again will I underestimate or place limitations on my learning or that of my students.
The MAET program has introduced so many resources that will support my education beyond my education. It is my goal to continue to knock down the walls of the classroom so that teachers and students are not isolated with what has been done for years and years in the past. I now have an expansive personal and professional learning network that I can share and borrow knowledge. I have attended MACUL in the past, and I look forward to doing so again in the future. MACUL is a wonderful resource that offers a look at what’s new as well as opportunities for technology grants. I will be attending class at Classroom 2.0 LIVE on a regular basis. Here a community of educators joins together to learn from one another and attend lectures by prominent names in 21st Century teaching and learning. TED Talks is another great venue that inspires new ideas and ways of thinking through a compilation of videos. It also brings on a laugh or two after a chaotic day in the classroom. My search for resources will directly benefit my classroom as well. I will constantly search for new and engaging activities from sources such as Twitter, Pinterest, MERLOT, Atlas Rubicon, and other professional development sites online. There is no end to what ‘s next on my path towards life-long learning personally and professionally because new learning is being created right now.
Learning with the use of such wonderful technology resources has changed my life as a college student. My years of under-graduate work were spent in a classroom and my graduate experience has mostly been online. I can only wonder what this will look like as the trend of 21st Learning trickles down into high school, middle school, and elementary school. I can see young boys and girls taking charge of their own learning with open access to what the world has to offer.
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Teachers have so much to draw from to enrich and supplement lesson plans and projects across grade levels as well as the curriculum. Online learning communities now serve as experienced guidance and support for challenges in the classroom. Teachers also have tools to make teaching and learning smart, not hard. I anticipate students of all grades using computers to research, communicate and create rather than just word process. I also expect communication to increase between teachers, parents and students so that everyone is actively involved in a global education. This new insight seems glorious, but it comes with a price. There will have to be a proper education on how to maximize the learning benefits of technology rather than it’s abuse. Now, more than ever, it is important to protect privacy and respect one another with such important tools in the hands of literally everyone.
Continuing to look ahead, I know my learning is constant. I am eager to learn from my students because they are a generation immersed in technology. I aspire to work with learners of all ages so that I can experience fresh perspectives. It is also a future goal of mine to step out of the classroom one day so that I can broaden my scope of teaching and learning in the field of technology.