My Goals of Yesteryear in the Rearview Mirror
June 2012
At the onset of the Masters of Education Technology program, I submitted the goals that I wanted to achieve. Now that I reach the end of the program, it is time to reflect on what I thought was important at the time and weigh that against my current beliefs. Over two years have passed since I wrote my goals in the spring of 2010. Since then, my knowledge and understanding have increased while the ever changing landscape of educational technology continued to evolve.
One major goal I had going into the program was to help my school understand how technology could help students learn. I teach math and when I was hired I was surprised to see how many of the teachers in the department didn’t even use a word processor to make their tests and worksheets. Furthermore, very few were using webpages or other internet based programs to help students learn. I thought that through the MAET program, I could gain the knowledge and confidence to become an authority within our ranks and, in turn, that would enable me to affect change in our department.
I still think this is a good goal. My school has improved over the last two years by eliminating a lot of the handmade material, utilizing webpages, and using projectors and ELMOs. A couple of us have even dabbled with a “flipped classroom” concept where students view lessons at home via our webpages and do assignments in school. Even so, I think there is much room for improvement. My goal continues to be to use what I have learned to improve the school and district.
A second major goal of mine was to use what I have learned in my own classroom. This differs from the goal above because it is focused on me rather than the entire department or district. Regardless of my effect outside my classroom, I wanted to become proficient with as much technology as possible and use anything and everything that fits my situation. Again, I still like this goal. I have come to realize two things regarding this goal. First, fantastic technology doesn’t automatically make students learn better. Second, the technology has to fit a need without becoming a hindrance. Now that so many of my students have smart phones and WiFi is coming soon, many doors will be open to us that were previously closed.
I think my goals at the beginning of the MAET program were appropriate and two years later I have not changed my opinion. I want to gradually revamp the way I teach and how my department operates. I have already done this to some degree and as time goes on I will continue to shape and mold. Through an intelligent application of technology, I believe I can improve my students’ ability to learn.
-Dave Crispin
One major goal I had going into the program was to help my school understand how technology could help students learn. I teach math and when I was hired I was surprised to see how many of the teachers in the department didn’t even use a word processor to make their tests and worksheets. Furthermore, very few were using webpages or other internet based programs to help students learn. I thought that through the MAET program, I could gain the knowledge and confidence to become an authority within our ranks and, in turn, that would enable me to affect change in our department.
I still think this is a good goal. My school has improved over the last two years by eliminating a lot of the handmade material, utilizing webpages, and using projectors and ELMOs. A couple of us have even dabbled with a “flipped classroom” concept where students view lessons at home via our webpages and do assignments in school. Even so, I think there is much room for improvement. My goal continues to be to use what I have learned to improve the school and district.
A second major goal of mine was to use what I have learned in my own classroom. This differs from the goal above because it is focused on me rather than the entire department or district. Regardless of my effect outside my classroom, I wanted to become proficient with as much technology as possible and use anything and everything that fits my situation. Again, I still like this goal. I have come to realize two things regarding this goal. First, fantastic technology doesn’t automatically make students learn better. Second, the technology has to fit a need without becoming a hindrance. Now that so many of my students have smart phones and WiFi is coming soon, many doors will be open to us that were previously closed.
I think my goals at the beginning of the MAET program were appropriate and two years later I have not changed my opinion. I want to gradually revamp the way I teach and how my department operates. I have already done this to some degree and as time goes on I will continue to shape and mold. Through an intelligent application of technology, I believe I can improve my students’ ability to learn.
-Dave Crispin