Learning to Captivate has Captivated Me!
By: Renee Guerriero
When I first started my Educational Technology degree at Michigan State University, I was only in my second year of teaching. MSU was offering the first three courses at my school in northern Michigan. I knew I had to take classes as part of the continuing education requirement to renew my teaching certificate. I also knew I was pretty good at working with technology. The program seemed perfect for me! I felt pretty confident with my technology knowledge from high school and college. It is interesting sometimes to think back and realize that I was caught with the technology era at a good time. I was in 10th grade when I first spent a lot of time online, had computer classes and did most of my assignments on the computer. I think it was a good time because I was still able to learn from a teacher in high school and college.
Because I thought of myself as being a technology leader, I took the classes towards the initial certificate that MSU was offering at my school. I thought of myself as a leader mostly because I knew more about using technology than others around me. Once I got started in my classes I realized I didn’t know everything like I expected. I learned a lot in those three courses, I was surprised how much I could take back to my classes that I was teaching. Since I learned so much in the first three courses I decided to continue with the degree. I had learned a lot and felt I had “got my money’s worth.” I signed up for another class and kept going and going. It is unbelievable how fast time goes by and I can’t believe that I am almost done! I also can’t believe how much I have learned.
I have spent a considerable amount of time on this degree, time that I could have spent with my family, working out, working on my own curriculum, or just relaxing. Thankfully, the time I spent earning my degree was worthwhile. I have learned so much. Mostly, I have learned about working independently. Taking courses online has been a learning process for me. I have had to be self motivated and focused. When I do my homework there is always a lot
going on around me, no matter where or when I decide to work. I did learn to manage my time and get my work done. For that reason, I feel a sense of satisfaction in myself. Because I did figure out how to motivate myself and work independently, I am proud and feel encouraged for other new things in life.
Earning this degree was hard work and it took a lot of time at some points. I hope that I will continue to remember and use the individual things I have learned that made it all worthwhile. Mostly, I hope I remember that I am a problem solver and an independent thinker and I will have to be in the future to continue to be a leader in the use of technology in education. In CEP 820, I was able to create quite a few technology pieces that I have used in my classroom. The other two courses that have influenced me the most are the two that I am currently taking CEP 815 and CEP 870. I thought each class was meaningful and well worth my time and money. Most importantly there are things I can use from each course. There is a lot to be said about what I learned in each course and I would like to
describe what I learned in each and give some specific examples.
CEP820, Teaching K-12 Students Online, is the first class I think of when considering which class I have applied to my life and teaching the most. In this course there was a lot of hands on work and everything we created seemed useful and full of purpose for my actual classes that I teach. I took this class last summer and it was fun to actually have time to look at the upcoming school year and put a lot of thought into a few specific assignments. We used a Google assignment sheet tracker, had to make a movie for youtube.com, and created a whole assignment in Google sites. I learned enough about all of these tools to be able to create similar assignments on my own later on. I have used all of these things this year already.
In CEP 820, I had to create a whole assignment online, I focused on digital photography and photo editing. The students thought it was interesting to be given their assignments in a different way. What I learned in this class was important because I can use many elements to make my teaching better. I have made assignment descriptions on YouTube, kept track of work in a Google site that students could access, and used Moodle to list several assignments. Using Moodle to list all of the assignments has been helpful when students are absent or need a refresher on directions. I also helped several students make an IGoogle and showed them how to set up applications and get certain information. I plan to apply what I have learned in this course in the future. This summer I plan to use some of the technology tools I learned in this course to create more online assignment requirements. For example, I want to put all of my graphic design, photography and image editing assignments online. I would like to add descriptions, directions and examples for these types of assignments. Since I don’t go to the computer lab every day I wouldn’t put incredibly detailed directions for all assignments online. I would however, also like to do some painting, drawing and photography tutorials so that students can watch them again if they like. This would also be helpful because my class sizes are getting bigger and bigger. If Icould do a drawing demo using the projector and record it, I think it would be much more efficient than doing it sitting in front of the class where everyone couldn’t see me.
In CEP 815, Technology and Leadership, we are taking the time to discover how to take what we have learned and become a technology in education leader in the future. We are also looking at ways to continue to be a learner and a leader in using technology in education forever. I really learned a lot from some of the readings that discussed using technology to enhance learning, and not use technology, just to use technology. The following quote is from one of our lectures, from the teacher, Nick Sheltrown, and it sums up why I name this as one of my top courses in the program. “We will examine the complex charge of being responsible for managing relationships between technology, teaching and learning. We will look at technology from multiple perspectives to assess its potential benefits and challenges to different audiences. Professional development strategies, project management, planning, evaluation, relationship building, along with the ethical and social implications of technology integration will be examined.” I feel that this course is very specific and focused on its purpose. I had never really considered making sure that the point of using technology to was to enhance, not to just “use it, to use it,” until I read some of the readings that were required for this class. I think this point will really stick with me in my future education.
I will specifically use what I learned in CEP 815 when I do research before beginning an art assignment. I will be sure that the use of technology is focused solely on preparing students to complete a project that requires research before beginning. I require research and a pre-activity for most of my art assignments. Since beginning this
course I have allowed my students to look at artwork online, answer questions by looking online, used the document camera to demonstrate drawing, watched a short video and more. All of the activities I have done that use technology have been worthwhile and successful. With the reminders in CEP 815 to use technology when necessary, not just to, “use it, to use it” I will be sure that not only is the research meaningful but also that the use of technology is meaningful and enhances the learning. I learned how to be a leader in this class and also how to keep learning. What I learned is important because it will be the rock of my future as a technology leader in my school.
In the other current course I am taking, CEP 870, we are creating a portfolio, most importantly in this course I appreciated the opportunity to make a portfolio and have it critiqued! I am so glad that I must take the time to get everything I have done in this master’s degree program all together. This has been so important because if I didn’t do it for this class, then I would probably not have gotten it all together. Making the portfolio is meaningful and it has really allowed me to get organized to a point where I know I will use all of the information and technology tools in the future. I am afraid that with all of my past coursework just saved on my computer I might not get the opportunity to use it as often. With everything organized, in one location and easily accessible I know I will continue to go back to it. I have already used my website to show student work examples. Making a website for my art class and coaching was one of my original goals a few years ago. It is nice to feel that I have accomplished a goal. The best thing about accomplishing this goal is that I plan on using my site next year daily. I want to include my entire curriculum with links on my site. After using Weebly to create my site I feel that I know enough about the program to have my students create their own websites. This would fit my curriculum because making this website was a very creative and artistic process. Specifically relating to applying this to my teaching, I would have my students create their web portfolios exactly the way CEP 870 was set up. We would build the website slowly, the method we used in the course is exactly how I would have my students learn and create their site
Also, in this course, CEP 870, we have had to write essays on a 3 important topics. One was our goal statement and reflection, another was about my future as a learner, and the final one was the synthesis essay. In each of these essays I put a lot of deep thought into what I have accomplished over the last four years. I have also put a
lot of thought into how I will continue to be a learner and a leader in the use of technology in education. Doing the essay assignments was important because I gathered up everything I have learned and also had the opportunity to add closure to my master’s degree.
Once I started to learn how to use technology in my teaching, I was off and running. Before this, I felt I knew how to use technology and I knew how to teach, putting them together was amazing! Just recently when I wrote my
paper about my future as a learner, I realized that it really helped me to get my goals in line. In the future I will find ways to continue to learn, grow, and lead in the area of technology in education. While writing this paper I
remembered many things that I learned over the last 4 years that I had forgotten about. All of these things that I learned are still valuable and important in my everyday life, so I feel that earning this degree and even
writing this paper ended up being more meaningful than I expected.
Because I thought of myself as being a technology leader, I took the classes towards the initial certificate that MSU was offering at my school. I thought of myself as a leader mostly because I knew more about using technology than others around me. Once I got started in my classes I realized I didn’t know everything like I expected. I learned a lot in those three courses, I was surprised how much I could take back to my classes that I was teaching. Since I learned so much in the first three courses I decided to continue with the degree. I had learned a lot and felt I had “got my money’s worth.” I signed up for another class and kept going and going. It is unbelievable how fast time goes by and I can’t believe that I am almost done! I also can’t believe how much I have learned.
I have spent a considerable amount of time on this degree, time that I could have spent with my family, working out, working on my own curriculum, or just relaxing. Thankfully, the time I spent earning my degree was worthwhile. I have learned so much. Mostly, I have learned about working independently. Taking courses online has been a learning process for me. I have had to be self motivated and focused. When I do my homework there is always a lot
going on around me, no matter where or when I decide to work. I did learn to manage my time and get my work done. For that reason, I feel a sense of satisfaction in myself. Because I did figure out how to motivate myself and work independently, I am proud and feel encouraged for other new things in life.
Earning this degree was hard work and it took a lot of time at some points. I hope that I will continue to remember and use the individual things I have learned that made it all worthwhile. Mostly, I hope I remember that I am a problem solver and an independent thinker and I will have to be in the future to continue to be a leader in the use of technology in education. In CEP 820, I was able to create quite a few technology pieces that I have used in my classroom. The other two courses that have influenced me the most are the two that I am currently taking CEP 815 and CEP 870. I thought each class was meaningful and well worth my time and money. Most importantly there are things I can use from each course. There is a lot to be said about what I learned in each course and I would like to
describe what I learned in each and give some specific examples.
CEP820, Teaching K-12 Students Online, is the first class I think of when considering which class I have applied to my life and teaching the most. In this course there was a lot of hands on work and everything we created seemed useful and full of purpose for my actual classes that I teach. I took this class last summer and it was fun to actually have time to look at the upcoming school year and put a lot of thought into a few specific assignments. We used a Google assignment sheet tracker, had to make a movie for youtube.com, and created a whole assignment in Google sites. I learned enough about all of these tools to be able to create similar assignments on my own later on. I have used all of these things this year already.
In CEP 820, I had to create a whole assignment online, I focused on digital photography and photo editing. The students thought it was interesting to be given their assignments in a different way. What I learned in this class was important because I can use many elements to make my teaching better. I have made assignment descriptions on YouTube, kept track of work in a Google site that students could access, and used Moodle to list several assignments. Using Moodle to list all of the assignments has been helpful when students are absent or need a refresher on directions. I also helped several students make an IGoogle and showed them how to set up applications and get certain information. I plan to apply what I have learned in this course in the future. This summer I plan to use some of the technology tools I learned in this course to create more online assignment requirements. For example, I want to put all of my graphic design, photography and image editing assignments online. I would like to add descriptions, directions and examples for these types of assignments. Since I don’t go to the computer lab every day I wouldn’t put incredibly detailed directions for all assignments online. I would however, also like to do some painting, drawing and photography tutorials so that students can watch them again if they like. This would also be helpful because my class sizes are getting bigger and bigger. If Icould do a drawing demo using the projector and record it, I think it would be much more efficient than doing it sitting in front of the class where everyone couldn’t see me.
In CEP 815, Technology and Leadership, we are taking the time to discover how to take what we have learned and become a technology in education leader in the future. We are also looking at ways to continue to be a learner and a leader in using technology in education forever. I really learned a lot from some of the readings that discussed using technology to enhance learning, and not use technology, just to use technology. The following quote is from one of our lectures, from the teacher, Nick Sheltrown, and it sums up why I name this as one of my top courses in the program. “We will examine the complex charge of being responsible for managing relationships between technology, teaching and learning. We will look at technology from multiple perspectives to assess its potential benefits and challenges to different audiences. Professional development strategies, project management, planning, evaluation, relationship building, along with the ethical and social implications of technology integration will be examined.” I feel that this course is very specific and focused on its purpose. I had never really considered making sure that the point of using technology to was to enhance, not to just “use it, to use it,” until I read some of the readings that were required for this class. I think this point will really stick with me in my future education.
I will specifically use what I learned in CEP 815 when I do research before beginning an art assignment. I will be sure that the use of technology is focused solely on preparing students to complete a project that requires research before beginning. I require research and a pre-activity for most of my art assignments. Since beginning this
course I have allowed my students to look at artwork online, answer questions by looking online, used the document camera to demonstrate drawing, watched a short video and more. All of the activities I have done that use technology have been worthwhile and successful. With the reminders in CEP 815 to use technology when necessary, not just to, “use it, to use it” I will be sure that not only is the research meaningful but also that the use of technology is meaningful and enhances the learning. I learned how to be a leader in this class and also how to keep learning. What I learned is important because it will be the rock of my future as a technology leader in my school.
In the other current course I am taking, CEP 870, we are creating a portfolio, most importantly in this course I appreciated the opportunity to make a portfolio and have it critiqued! I am so glad that I must take the time to get everything I have done in this master’s degree program all together. This has been so important because if I didn’t do it for this class, then I would probably not have gotten it all together. Making the portfolio is meaningful and it has really allowed me to get organized to a point where I know I will use all of the information and technology tools in the future. I am afraid that with all of my past coursework just saved on my computer I might not get the opportunity to use it as often. With everything organized, in one location and easily accessible I know I will continue to go back to it. I have already used my website to show student work examples. Making a website for my art class and coaching was one of my original goals a few years ago. It is nice to feel that I have accomplished a goal. The best thing about accomplishing this goal is that I plan on using my site next year daily. I want to include my entire curriculum with links on my site. After using Weebly to create my site I feel that I know enough about the program to have my students create their own websites. This would fit my curriculum because making this website was a very creative and artistic process. Specifically relating to applying this to my teaching, I would have my students create their web portfolios exactly the way CEP 870 was set up. We would build the website slowly, the method we used in the course is exactly how I would have my students learn and create their site
Also, in this course, CEP 870, we have had to write essays on a 3 important topics. One was our goal statement and reflection, another was about my future as a learner, and the final one was the synthesis essay. In each of these essays I put a lot of deep thought into what I have accomplished over the last four years. I have also put a
lot of thought into how I will continue to be a learner and a leader in the use of technology in education. Doing the essay assignments was important because I gathered up everything I have learned and also had the opportunity to add closure to my master’s degree.
Once I started to learn how to use technology in my teaching, I was off and running. Before this, I felt I knew how to use technology and I knew how to teach, putting them together was amazing! Just recently when I wrote my
paper about my future as a learner, I realized that it really helped me to get my goals in line. In the future I will find ways to continue to learn, grow, and lead in the area of technology in education. While writing this paper I
remembered many things that I learned over the last 4 years that I had forgotten about. All of these things that I learned are still valuable and important in my everyday life, so I feel that earning this degree and even
writing this paper ended up being more meaningful than I expected.
