My Journey as a Spartan
by: Dana Collett
I did not grow up thinking I was going to be a teacher. I actually grew up thinking I was going to be a doctor. My high school courses were to prepare me for a pre-med major. My advanced placement courses in high school were chemistry and biology. I even participated in a medical mentor-ship program where we would spend 5 hours a week shadowing a doctor at a local hospital. The one thing I did grow up thinking was that I was going to be a Spartan. Both of my parents and my brother attended Michigan State University. I was destined to be a Spartan.
I entered Michigan State University as an undergraduate majoring in pre-med. I was in Lyman Briggs and well on my way to becoming a doctor, until my sophomore year when I decided to take an education class as an elective. I found myself stepping onto the beaten path and more interested in the education courses than pre-med. Sophomore year I changed my major and was accepted into Michigan State’s College of Education.
After my five years at Michigan State University, I felt prepared enough to leave the state and take a teaching job in Tennessee. After four years of teaching, I was ready to move forward in my education. I looked into various Masters programs to find one that would best suit me. I came across Michigan State University’s Masters of Arts in Educational Technology. I was excited for my new journey to begin.
After my five years at Michigan State University, I felt prepared enough to leave the state and take a teaching job in Tennessee. After four years of teaching, I was ready to move forward in my education. I looked into various Masters programs to find one that would best suit me. I came across Michigan State University’s Masters of Arts in Educational Technology. I was excited for my new journey to begin.
Before entering the Masters of Arts in Educational Technology program through Michigan State University, I considered myself to be somewhat technological savvy. The school district I work for considers themselves “high tech” and we held professional developments on how to use some of the latest technologies in education. Therefore, when I started the MAET program, I was confident I could handle the information and thought I already knew some of it. I soon learned that my knowledge didn’t even scratch the surface.
Throughout my education in MAET, a couple courses have really impacted me. The first course that impacted me was my very first course taken through the program, CEP 810-Teaching for Understanding with Computers. The next course actually consisted of three courses and was done over the summer in a hybrid manner. The courses were CEP 800-Learning in Social and Other Settings, CEP 815- Technology and Leadership, and CEP 822-Approaches to Educational Research. Finally, the third course is this Capstone Course. Each course has shaped my teaching and journey in different ways.
As I entered my first course in the MAET program, CEP 810- Teaching for Understanding with Computers, I found out, that while I did know some things, it did not quite compare to the magnitude of information out there. I was about to jump in….head first. One of our first assignments in CEP 810 was about blogs. I had not really known much about blogs prior to this course. I usually disregarded them thinking that they were full of opinions and practically worthless. However, our assignment required us to take a deeper look into blogs versus traditional webpages and then create our own blog and write about our findings. Through my own assignments, I found myself taking a liking towards blogs. I am currently following certain blogs and use the ideas I come across in my own teaching.
Another assignment was to create a Personal Learning Network with Glogster. As I was creating my Glogster, my mind was racing with how it could be integrated into the curriculum and classroom. I loved Glogster and I couldn’t wait to share it and my ideas with my co-workers. It was that moment I realized that through this program I am also becoming a leader. I am taking on a new role, not only of a teacher, but a leader in technology. I was ready for my new role and I knew that Michigan State would train me well.
My third and final gem I was introduced to in CEP 810 was Storybird. Being a math teacher, many people thought I would be least interested in Storybird. But rather, it peaked my interest. Kids love storybooks, especially those they create. I enjoyed talking to my peers and hearing about how they integrated Storybird. It was great to show my students that math can be integrated with reading and technology as well.
Slowly but surely, I was able to use my new knowledge of so many technologies. I was able to share my ideas and watch them be integrated into the classroom. I was learning that this program was less about teaching and more about exploration. I was always encouraged to try out different websites, software and technologies. It was very clear to me that after that first course, I had a lot to learn.
Throughout my education in MAET, a couple courses have really impacted me. The first course that impacted me was my very first course taken through the program, CEP 810-Teaching for Understanding with Computers. The next course actually consisted of three courses and was done over the summer in a hybrid manner. The courses were CEP 800-Learning in Social and Other Settings, CEP 815- Technology and Leadership, and CEP 822-Approaches to Educational Research. Finally, the third course is this Capstone Course. Each course has shaped my teaching and journey in different ways.
As I entered my first course in the MAET program, CEP 810- Teaching for Understanding with Computers, I found out, that while I did know some things, it did not quite compare to the magnitude of information out there. I was about to jump in….head first. One of our first assignments in CEP 810 was about blogs. I had not really known much about blogs prior to this course. I usually disregarded them thinking that they were full of opinions and practically worthless. However, our assignment required us to take a deeper look into blogs versus traditional webpages and then create our own blog and write about our findings. Through my own assignments, I found myself taking a liking towards blogs. I am currently following certain blogs and use the ideas I come across in my own teaching.
Another assignment was to create a Personal Learning Network with Glogster. As I was creating my Glogster, my mind was racing with how it could be integrated into the curriculum and classroom. I loved Glogster and I couldn’t wait to share it and my ideas with my co-workers. It was that moment I realized that through this program I am also becoming a leader. I am taking on a new role, not only of a teacher, but a leader in technology. I was ready for my new role and I knew that Michigan State would train me well.
My third and final gem I was introduced to in CEP 810 was Storybird. Being a math teacher, many people thought I would be least interested in Storybird. But rather, it peaked my interest. Kids love storybooks, especially those they create. I enjoyed talking to my peers and hearing about how they integrated Storybird. It was great to show my students that math can be integrated with reading and technology as well.
Slowly but surely, I was able to use my new knowledge of so many technologies. I was able to share my ideas and watch them be integrated into the classroom. I was learning that this program was less about teaching and more about exploration. I was always encouraged to try out different websites, software and technologies. It was very clear to me that after that first course, I had a lot to learn.
http://www.livescribek12.com/the-real-roi-of-instructional-technology/
My learning continued as I went through the program. I learned and explored with various types of technology. I was able to discuss and collaborate with others and taking my learning to a new level. To further my education, I enrolled in the MAET Summer Hybrid course. This course combined three courses and consisted of 2 weeks face-to-face and then 4 weeks online. During the 2-week face-to-face period, we attended class on MSU’s campus. The diverse group of people made for unique discussions and an inspirational environment. It was an intense learning time and my mind was a sponge taking in all the technology and information.
I was honestly shocked with how much I was able to learn in such a short period of time. My outlook on teaching and learning changed. I was able to take the information and technologies learned and use them in my classroom. I really enjoyed our mini assignments in which each group or person looked into certain technologies and shared with the class about their findings. I was able to hear about so many different technologies and the pros and cons of each.
I also really enjoyed the fact that the technologies we were learning about were not all education based. It was in this course that I was introduced to the word, “re-purpose”. In most of the courses prior, we used technology, software and web pages that were designed for educators. However, this course focused more on taking the everyday run-of-the-mill technology and re-purposing it for education. It required us to look at technology through a different point of view. It is not always about changing things, but re-purposing them so they can fit better into the curriculum and classroom. I loved the idea. It made sense. Educational software and technology can be expensive, but if we look to re-purpose what we already have, we can save the money and get the same results. It was not only re-purposing technology, but re-purposing the way I teach. Looking at how I teach from a new perspective and improving upon it.
In order to learn how to truly re-purpose technology, we were given the chance to explore. We explored educational theories using technology and presented via technology. For example, one project we collaborated as a group and had to find software that showed aspects of the behaviorism theory. We found software and then created a PowerPoint to share our findings. Another project required us to create a group website using a misconception to help us understand understanding. This project required us to set up a website, using video cameras, still cameras and editing software to name a few. We were re-purposing “average” technology to suit our needs for our educational project.
I was honestly shocked with how much I was able to learn in such a short period of time. My outlook on teaching and learning changed. I was able to take the information and technologies learned and use them in my classroom. I really enjoyed our mini assignments in which each group or person looked into certain technologies and shared with the class about their findings. I was able to hear about so many different technologies and the pros and cons of each.
I also really enjoyed the fact that the technologies we were learning about were not all education based. It was in this course that I was introduced to the word, “re-purpose”. In most of the courses prior, we used technology, software and web pages that were designed for educators. However, this course focused more on taking the everyday run-of-the-mill technology and re-purposing it for education. It required us to look at technology through a different point of view. It is not always about changing things, but re-purposing them so they can fit better into the curriculum and classroom. I loved the idea. It made sense. Educational software and technology can be expensive, but if we look to re-purpose what we already have, we can save the money and get the same results. It was not only re-purposing technology, but re-purposing the way I teach. Looking at how I teach from a new perspective and improving upon it.
In order to learn how to truly re-purpose technology, we were given the chance to explore. We explored educational theories using technology and presented via technology. For example, one project we collaborated as a group and had to find software that showed aspects of the behaviorism theory. We found software and then created a PowerPoint to share our findings. Another project required us to create a group website using a misconception to help us understand understanding. This project required us to set up a website, using video cameras, still cameras and editing software to name a few. We were re-purposing “average” technology to suit our needs for our educational project.
Beauty Photo taken my MAET Summer 2011 Students to show re-purposing.
The last four weeks of our hybrid course consisted of independent projects. One of the independent projects was to create a mini portfolio showing off our work we did over the summer. I really enjoyed putting together the portfolio and watching all of my hard work and the group’s work come together. I realized all the knowledge I gained in those 2 weeks and how excited I was to implement my new teaching strategies and ideas into my classroom. I was looking forward to teaching and integrating technology where it fits rather than finding a technology and trying to figure out how to make it work. I was ready to use the TPACK concept to help my integration. TPACK is technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge, which helps me to think about the most effective way of integration. Using the concept of TPACK and thinking behind it has shaped me into a better teacher.
My third course, which has impacted me greatly, is this last course, the Capstone course. In this course, we have taken the time to look back, look forward and reflect on everything we have learned. We were able to look back at our goals we set prior to entering to the program. Did we meet them? Exceed them? Steer away from them? We wrote about how our goals have changed and set new goals for our future. This really allowed me to see where I came from and how I am moving forward. It gave me insight on my journey thus far and how I will continue to shape it. We also took the time and thought about our role as a future learner. How we are going to accomplish this and make sure it stays true. And finally, we were able to reflect on the whole program (this paper). What we have learned, how we have used it and how it has changed us for the better. Although many people are not found of papers, we are given the chance to really reflect on our journey through this program.
In all my other courses, I felt like more of a student. I was learning and reading and exploring. This course however, I feel more like a professional. We are gathering what we have done and compiling it into a professional portfolio. We are given the opportunity to showcase everything we learned as “students”. This opportunity is a culminating activity that pertains to our program. All of our skills that we have learned throughout the program we are able to put to the test to create our portfolio. I will be able to “carry” this with me as my role as a teach changes. As I continue to learn and grow I can look back on my work throughout the entire program and be proud of what I have learned and where I have come from. It’s not always the beginning or the end, but the journey and the lesson learned along the way that counts.
My third course, which has impacted me greatly, is this last course, the Capstone course. In this course, we have taken the time to look back, look forward and reflect on everything we have learned. We were able to look back at our goals we set prior to entering to the program. Did we meet them? Exceed them? Steer away from them? We wrote about how our goals have changed and set new goals for our future. This really allowed me to see where I came from and how I am moving forward. It gave me insight on my journey thus far and how I will continue to shape it. We also took the time and thought about our role as a future learner. How we are going to accomplish this and make sure it stays true. And finally, we were able to reflect on the whole program (this paper). What we have learned, how we have used it and how it has changed us for the better. Although many people are not found of papers, we are given the chance to really reflect on our journey through this program.
In all my other courses, I felt like more of a student. I was learning and reading and exploring. This course however, I feel more like a professional. We are gathering what we have done and compiling it into a professional portfolio. We are given the opportunity to showcase everything we learned as “students”. This opportunity is a culminating activity that pertains to our program. All of our skills that we have learned throughout the program we are able to put to the test to create our portfolio. I will be able to “carry” this with me as my role as a teach changes. As I continue to learn and grow I can look back on my work throughout the entire program and be proud of what I have learned and where I have come from. It’s not always the beginning or the end, but the journey and the lesson learned along the way that counts.