Looking Back...a Reflection on Old Plans and New Goals
By Melanie Hosbach Sesi
When I decided to apply to MSU for my Master’s degree, my original plan was to go into the Curriculum and Teaching program. I did not really know much about the Educational Technology program and was basically under the impression that the standard MSU Masters program for former MSU interns was the MACT (especially since the MACT program counted 9 credits from the internship year!). Shortly before I began my MACT coursework, I discovered MAET and it sounded much more intriguing to me. I decided to hold off on starting my courses in the fall of 2008 and instead look more into switching to the MAET program. My original goal revolved around learning more about curriculum design to apply to the courses I teach. Now that goal has transformed into one dealing with integrating technology in a meaningful way to enhance student learning in the courses I teach.
I find myself using technology in some way or another every day in my teaching. I feel very blessed to teach in a district with a wealth of technology resources, thanks to a grant we received with a bond that was passed in 2007. I love using my document camera and projector almost every day to accommodate my very visual students. The majority of them learn best with visual support, so being able to project whatever I need to onto a large screen helps them understand various concepts so much more. We use the projector not only for showing PowerPoint presentations, videos, and interactive maps, but also to look up random historical facts. One of my main goals in teaching is not to give students answers, but to give them the tools necessary to find the answers. One way I show this is by modeling how to look up information and utilize resources on the web to find out more about history. It is fun to find out new facts together and discuss them. I like having this spontaneity and flexibility to cater to my students needs and curiosities.
Now that I have become very comfortable with using technology, my next goal is to get students using technology more. Many of my students do not have access to a computer or internet at home, so I am restricted with assigning technology related homework. Not only is access limited, but my students do not usually do homework, which is a big reason why they are at the alternative school. As teachers, we typically do not assign any homework, as we know the likelihood of it being completed is rather slim! I am also limited at school for student technology access, as our one and only computer lab is tied up for a couple hours each day with computer based classes like Photoshop and an online learning program. I have been working on ways to get around this, and have found that flexibility is crucial! For example, I have altered assignments to be done in partners or groups so that we can fit in the lab with another class. I have also adjusted my schedule and plans on the fly to get into the lab on days when there are many students absent from the class that is in there. My goal is to continue finding ways around the limitations I have and to put the knowledge and skills I have acquired through the MAET program to good use.
When I decided to apply to MSU for my Master’s degree, my original plan was to go into the Curriculum and Teaching program. I did not really know much about the Educational Technology program and was basically under the impression that the standard MSU Masters program for former MSU interns was the MACT (especially since the MACT program counted 9 credits from the internship year!). Shortly before I began my MACT coursework, I discovered MAET and it sounded much more intriguing to me. I decided to hold off on starting my courses in the fall of 2008 and instead look more into switching to the MAET program. My original goal revolved around learning more about curriculum design to apply to the courses I teach. Now that goal has transformed into one dealing with integrating technology in a meaningful way to enhance student learning in the courses I teach.
I find myself using technology in some way or another every day in my teaching. I feel very blessed to teach in a district with a wealth of technology resources, thanks to a grant we received with a bond that was passed in 2007. I love using my document camera and projector almost every day to accommodate my very visual students. The majority of them learn best with visual support, so being able to project whatever I need to onto a large screen helps them understand various concepts so much more. We use the projector not only for showing PowerPoint presentations, videos, and interactive maps, but also to look up random historical facts. One of my main goals in teaching is not to give students answers, but to give them the tools necessary to find the answers. One way I show this is by modeling how to look up information and utilize resources on the web to find out more about history. It is fun to find out new facts together and discuss them. I like having this spontaneity and flexibility to cater to my students needs and curiosities.
Now that I have become very comfortable with using technology, my next goal is to get students using technology more. Many of my students do not have access to a computer or internet at home, so I am restricted with assigning technology related homework. Not only is access limited, but my students do not usually do homework, which is a big reason why they are at the alternative school. As teachers, we typically do not assign any homework, as we know the likelihood of it being completed is rather slim! I am also limited at school for student technology access, as our one and only computer lab is tied up for a couple hours each day with computer based classes like Photoshop and an online learning program. I have been working on ways to get around this, and have found that flexibility is crucial! For example, I have altered assignments to be done in partners or groups so that we can fit in the lab with another class. I have also adjusted my schedule and plans on the fly to get into the lab on days when there are many students absent from the class that is in there. My goal is to continue finding ways around the limitations I have and to put the knowledge and skills I have acquired through the MAET program to good use.