Technology Continues to Change but My Goals Remain the Same

 

The Beginning

 

After completing my bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education at Michigan State University, I found a district on the forefront of changing what education looks like through Mass Customized Learning and Project Based Learning. As I became part of this team, I quickly realized that I not only wanted to improve my instructional strategies to better educate each individual learner in our ever-changing world, but I wanted to have a better understanding of how to use technology to accomplish this task. I decided at the end of my second year of teaching, I would apply for the Master of Arts in Education (MAED) program with a concentration in Technology and Learning as my interest in effectively using technology in the classroom continued to grow.

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Goals Looking Back

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As I began a master’s in education with a concentration in technology and learning at Michigan State University, I had two primary goals.

 

1. Use technology to create a customized education plan for each individual learner.

 

Prior to beginning my graduate studies, I hoped to learn more about technology that would allow me to better support my learners in their individual education plans. I envisioned these individualized education plans as a way for learners to learn at their own pace and track their proficiency along the way.

 

2. Engage all learners through the use of technology.

 

Engagement in the classroom has and always will be a top priority of mine. With the prevalence of modern technology, I felt it was best to have a good understanding of the tools and types of technology that my learners were most familiar with so that I would know how to “speak their language.”

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Goals Looking Forward

 

As I look back on my goals for my master’s degree, I find that my goals remain the same but are significantly more complex than I had originally thought. I plan to continue finding ways to use technology to create a customized education plan so that each individuals needs are met. I have continued to believe in the idea that all learners learn differently and technology can provide support in making instruction more suitable for each individual. At the beginning of the program, I would’ve thought that I had made significant progress on this goal but that has not been the case. As I’ve been taking part in different courses dedicated to technology in the classroom, I have realized that there is so much more work to do in creating individualized education plans and this is a goal I will have to continue to work toward.

Another goal I will continue working toward is engaging all learners through the use of technology. In today’s world, there are continually new simulations, games, videos, and lessons being released that can be accessed through technology. I will continue searching for new technologies that will support my learners acquisition of knowledge and keep them interested in the learning at hand. As I’m finishing my program at Michigan State University, it has been made clear that keeping all learners engaged will always be a goal of mine. I will always strive to keep my learners excited about learning as I too will always be excited about learning.