Learning through the years...
Looking back at how things have changed.
"If I were in my own classroom, I’d be determined to incorporate some type of technology into every other lesson that I planned. Eventually I’d like to use it in every lesson, but I know that being realistic is also important in teaching. I’d also try to help other teachers incorporate technology too, particularly the teachers in the same grade or courses that I was teaching. I think my most challenging task would be to get the students as excited as I am about technology and learning. I know that many students use technology on a daily basis, but to incorporate school into their daily tech time would be amazing."
- Megan Weber
Oct. 25th, 2009
Brenden's 1st Birthday - Oct. 28th, 2009
One of my favorite things to do is look back at old pictures or family artifacts and think about how times have changed since those memories were made. I decided this to be a great way to complete this Goal Reflection. I began searching through the work from my first semester in my Masters in Educational Technology (MAET) classes. I found a personal growth assignment and pulled a quote from it. (see below) I also found a picture from the same week, which was from my son's 1st birthday. Rereading the quote and looking at the picture I've realized how much I've grown through this MAET program as well as a person, not to mention how much my son has changed.
I remember writing that paper, and trying to think of things the professor would want to see in a "personal growth" statement. I was more worried about my final grade rather than the actual words. After re-reading the entire paper, I chuckled to myself because many things in the paper are not feasible. But I have realized how much I've learned and changed while a part of this program. I've learned how to use and incorporate a variety of educational technology in to the classroom, in a functional way. This was my top goal when I began this program.
Unfortunately, I have not been back in the classroom since writing that statement. My new career goal would be to teach others how to use technology in the classroom. I loved being in the classroom, but with the new knowledge I’ve obtained from program, I'd love to pass it on to other educators. It's important for educators to know that using a piece of technology in the classroom simply "just because," not only hurts the classroom environment, it can cause more issues than it helps. Becoming a technology specialist for a school or district would be a great opportunity.
Another career possibility would be an online teacher. I really enjoyed the fully online program of my MAET. Teaching online would allow me to be at home with my young children, and do what I love at the same time, teach!
With graduation just around the corner, I've realized I need to start focusing on my future as an educator, wife, mom, and friend. A new goal of mine is to devote specific time to each of these parts of my life. I know I need to stay current and attend trainings about different EdTech as it becomes available. With technology constantly changing, I need to stay on top of it. Just like my family life, always changing and growing!
My family today, but we're waiting for a foster placement any time now!
To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.
~Henri Bergson
MEGAN WEBER
ELECTRONIC PORTFOLIO