A reflection on how I will continue to learn after graduation
Emily Fitzpatrick
October 2014
"How long does it take to learn an instrument?"
One of my fourth grade students asked this question of Dani, a college freshman who was demonstrating her flute in my classroom. I crossed my fingers, hoping she would speak to the fact that one never truly learns an instrument; we just keep learning more about them. Her answer touched on that point, but I wasn't satisfied. I felt the need to let my students know that even I, their music teacher, am learning more about the instruments that I play. This idea of lifelong learning is more than just a buzzword. It is a fact of life.
I have been trying to make my near-Masters in Educational Technology well-known to my colleagues so that they will feel comfortable coming to me with tech-related questions. I have realized, though, that people have different expectations of what I should know and how I should be able to help them. Many people think that I should know a lot about hardware-- how to adjust a projector or get around error messages on the computer. Others think that I must know an app for everything. These expectations have often left me wondering, "How did I even get to this point of almost being a Master in this field?"
Compiling work from my time in Michigan State University's Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) program reminded me of some of the core principles I have embedded into my teaching that not everyone understands, such as TPACK (the marriage of technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge) and Universal Design for Learning. It also reminded me that I have created a wealth of resources, on- and off-line, that help me reach my students. I have learned, shared, and created so much in the past two and a half years through this program. Now the real challenge begins: keeping up with technology, learning more about its integration in the classroom, and leading my colleagues without assignments and deadlines from instructors.
One of my fourth grade students asked this question of Dani, a college freshman who was demonstrating her flute in my classroom. I crossed my fingers, hoping she would speak to the fact that one never truly learns an instrument; we just keep learning more about them. Her answer touched on that point, but I wasn't satisfied. I felt the need to let my students know that even I, their music teacher, am learning more about the instruments that I play. This idea of lifelong learning is more than just a buzzword. It is a fact of life.
I have been trying to make my near-Masters in Educational Technology well-known to my colleagues so that they will feel comfortable coming to me with tech-related questions. I have realized, though, that people have different expectations of what I should know and how I should be able to help them. Many people think that I should know a lot about hardware-- how to adjust a projector or get around error messages on the computer. Others think that I must know an app for everything. These expectations have often left me wondering, "How did I even get to this point of almost being a Master in this field?"
Compiling work from my time in Michigan State University's Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) program reminded me of some of the core principles I have embedded into my teaching that not everyone understands, such as TPACK (the marriage of technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge) and Universal Design for Learning. It also reminded me that I have created a wealth of resources, on- and off-line, that help me reach my students. I have learned, shared, and created so much in the past two and a half years through this program. Now the real challenge begins: keeping up with technology, learning more about its integration in the classroom, and leading my colleagues without assignments and deadlines from instructors.
My Personal Learning Network (PLN)
I know many of my MAET colleagues would agree that our main source of continued learning in our field will come from our personal learning networks. I have learned how to use Twitter and Facebook in a professional manner through knowing whom to follow and how to effectively use hashtags. I will certainly stay in contact with colleagues and instructors from the MAET program through social media and email. In the field of educational technology, what better way is there to stay up to date than to collaborate with technology? Tech Team/iTell Time Another way I will contribute and learn from others is through the newly formed “Tech Team” at my school. As a member of the Tech Team, I have helped to start a monthly meeting called “iTell Time” at which teachers are encouraged to share tips and tricks from their own classrooms. We hope that our colleagues will leave these meetings with refreshing ideas of how to integrate technology into their teaching. Although I am a member of the tech team, I hope and plan to learn more from my colleagues than I can possibly teach them! Webinars I have learned that webinars are another great source of continuing education. Between webinar series on the MAET Bridge, ClassDojo, and Quaver Music, I can keep myself educated in the areas of educational technology, behavior management, and music education from masters in those areas without leaving my home! |
This is a visual representation of my PLN at the beginning of the MAET program in 2012. Since this representation was created, my PLN has changed and grown due to changing interests, knowledge, and technology. Click on the image to enlarge.
|
Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL)
Attending the MACUL conference in 2012 sparked my interest in obtaining my masters degree in educational technology. I will continue to attend the MACUL conference as often as my school district will allow. While there, I will connect with more leaders in the field. When I am not able to attend the conference, I will follow what is happening there by using Twitter. I know that whether I am at MACUL in person or through Twitter, I will leave feeling rejuvenated and inspired.
Students in Educational Technology
Being a fairly young teacher, I am still connected with people who are going through teacher education classes. I look forward to speaking with those future teachers about what they are being taught about the integration of technology. I hope I can give them insight into what I have learned through the MAET program while getting new ideas from them from a different perspective.
Practice in my Classroom
I am a firm believer in the following quote:
Attending the MACUL conference in 2012 sparked my interest in obtaining my masters degree in educational technology. I will continue to attend the MACUL conference as often as my school district will allow. While there, I will connect with more leaders in the field. When I am not able to attend the conference, I will follow what is happening there by using Twitter. I know that whether I am at MACUL in person or through Twitter, I will leave feeling rejuvenated and inspired.
Students in Educational Technology
Being a fairly young teacher, I am still connected with people who are going through teacher education classes. I look forward to speaking with those future teachers about what they are being taught about the integration of technology. I hope I can give them insight into what I have learned through the MAET program while getting new ideas from them from a different perspective.
Practice in my Classroom
I am a firm believer in the following quote:
Tell me and I'll forget. Show me and I may remember. Involve me and I will understand.
When I am actually practicing the integration of technology with real, young learners, I learn the most. I will continue to use the lessons and projects I have created through the MAET program. I will continue to adapt those lessons and projects to fit the needs of my students and the technology available to me. I look forward to learning along with my students.
Soon, I will be a Master in Educational Technology. I have played the piano since I was three years old. How long did it take me to learn to play? Ask me in seventy years.
Image credits:
Music Notes- http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs14/i/2007/065/7/5/Music_by_Delusionalist.png Technology- http://cursorch.deviantart.com/art/Modern-Communication-Technology-Flat-Illustration-428004339 |