Thinking through Technology
A Goal Statement Reflection
by Melissa Benoit
Goal Reflection Essay as a Wordle
As I wrap up my Master’s of Arts in Educational Technology, I can’t help but think about my journey through the program. Even after all this time, my passion for educational technology continues to escalate. Part of MSU’s Master’s of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) application process was to create a goal statement explaining why I wanted a degree in educational technology. I could say I’ve met several of my goals, but as Ernest Hemingway said, “It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” As I think about my experience in the MAET program, I can’t help but relate to this Ernest Hemingway quote. The focus was on my goals, but the journey was what really helped me grow as a teacher and technology leader.
One of my main goals was to make my students better English learners, but also prepare them for the future. Students will not only need to be literate citizens, but also have a certain level of technological experience. My journey in the MAET program has shown me ways to help make this possible. Learning tools like Wikispaces, Edmodo, Blogger, and Google Drive have aided in my ability to teach students how to express themselves in a digital way. They are forced to think about how they present themselves to a wider audience and how to collaborate electronically. As I continue to meet this goal, implementing tools I learned on my journey in the MAET program is what made me successful.
Another one of my goals was to differentiate my instruction to meet the diverse learning styles of my students. Tools I’ve learned, like MovieMaker, Google Presentation, Prezi, and Podcasts, allowed students to try new technologies, but also find the one that met their needs. It let them think critically about the world around them. This will be a goal I am always working on and my MAET journey taught me effective ways to think about differentiation.
Finally, I wanted to use technology to grow as a teacher and leader in the classroom. This was a pretty generic goal, but the MAET program helped me define this in a more concrete way. Learning tools like TPaCK helped me think about the types of lessons I was creating for my students and how the technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge worked together. I also for the first time thought about missional thinking verse instrumental thinking. Thinking about a technology tool’s purpose before implementing it is something I’m doing almost automatically now. I’ve also led a professional development for the first time, which focused on wikis and how to successfully use them in the classroom. These goals were not something I was conscious of or comfortable with before my journey in the MAET program.
As I reflect back, I realize I have always had good goals, but wasn’t always implementing technology effectively. The overall idea behind my goal statement was to engage with new technology, collaborate with students and staff, and implement new teaching strategies that will better educate my students and prepare them for their future. I still believe in each of these areas and will strive to continue to improve and grow in each. As I think back, I agree with Hemingway. It wasn’t just about finishing the program and getting the degree, it was my journey along the way that made all the difference.
One of my main goals was to make my students better English learners, but also prepare them for the future. Students will not only need to be literate citizens, but also have a certain level of technological experience. My journey in the MAET program has shown me ways to help make this possible. Learning tools like Wikispaces, Edmodo, Blogger, and Google Drive have aided in my ability to teach students how to express themselves in a digital way. They are forced to think about how they present themselves to a wider audience and how to collaborate electronically. As I continue to meet this goal, implementing tools I learned on my journey in the MAET program is what made me successful.
Another one of my goals was to differentiate my instruction to meet the diverse learning styles of my students. Tools I’ve learned, like MovieMaker, Google Presentation, Prezi, and Podcasts, allowed students to try new technologies, but also find the one that met their needs. It let them think critically about the world around them. This will be a goal I am always working on and my MAET journey taught me effective ways to think about differentiation.
Finally, I wanted to use technology to grow as a teacher and leader in the classroom. This was a pretty generic goal, but the MAET program helped me define this in a more concrete way. Learning tools like TPaCK helped me think about the types of lessons I was creating for my students and how the technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge worked together. I also for the first time thought about missional thinking verse instrumental thinking. Thinking about a technology tool’s purpose before implementing it is something I’m doing almost automatically now. I’ve also led a professional development for the first time, which focused on wikis and how to successfully use them in the classroom. These goals were not something I was conscious of or comfortable with before my journey in the MAET program.
As I reflect back, I realize I have always had good goals, but wasn’t always implementing technology effectively. The overall idea behind my goal statement was to engage with new technology, collaborate with students and staff, and implement new teaching strategies that will better educate my students and prepare them for their future. I still believe in each of these areas and will strive to continue to improve and grow in each. As I think back, I agree with Hemingway. It wasn’t just about finishing the program and getting the degree, it was my journey along the way that made all the difference.