Taking a Dip in the Educational Technology Pool
Katlyn Witt's Goal Reflection Essay
June 2014
Growing up in the digital age, I have been surrounded with technology all of my life. When I applied to the master’s program in the spring of 2013, I had already taken the three Educational Technology Certificate Courses. This allowed me to get my feet wet and really put some thought into the goals I wanted to set. At that time, I had identified four goals for myself. The first goal was to create a Hybrid Physics course that could be offered at the school where I teach. My second goal was to one day present at the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning Conference (MACUL) or a similar conference. My third goal was to not only find and incorporate many different technologies for learning both in and out of the classroom, but share what I learn about the technologies with my coworkers and others as well. My final goal was to become an advocate for the infusion of technology in education and further expand what can be achieved through the use of technology.
Having completed most of the master’s program, I would say that my goals still remain the same. Thinking back to when I set those goals just over a year ago, I did not know how quickly some of them would be accomplished. Two of my goals were short-term goals while two of them were more long-term. I have been able to step into the educational technology pool, taking great strides in achieving my short-term goals. In many of the classes I have taken throughout the master’s program, I have learned about different iPad apps and online tools that are useful in the classroom. I have also learned how to correctly (and incorrectly) structure online classes and utilize all that the Internet has to offer. In the district where I teach, we meet with our professional learning committees (PLCs) at least once a month. These PLCs are divided by subject area for the high school and middle school, and by grade level at the elementary schools. I have been able to share these many tools with the members in my PLCs, as well as those in other departments throughout the high school. Through CEP 820: Teaching Students Online, I learned many tools and techniques that will be helpful to create the hybrid physics course. I even started to create a hybrid physics-support course, which was a class I was teaching at the time.
Since it has only been just over a year since I set these goals, it is impractical that they would have all been accomplished at this point in time. I believe that my two long-term goals are still valid, and that I am still taking the steps necessary to achieve them. As I am introduced to and discover new technologies that work well in the classroom, I hope to take and share my experiences with others at conferences like MACUL or those similar to it. Through continued development, practice, exploration, and networking, I really hope to make a splash in the educational technology pool and encourage others to jump in – the water’s fine!