Changing Schools to Change Perspectives...
...a reflection essay by Jennifer Waters.
When choosing the correct program for my Technology Masters my goals were very clear and focused. I wanted to be a school leader, implement Web 2.0 technology and incorporate appropriate technology into my lessons. Looking back I see how my goals were very instrumental and mechanical to my personal professional development. I also notice how they were focused on the school site I was currently teaching at and the technology already in my classroom. However, as my school site and resources have changed, my focus in the masters program has also changed.
Regardless of the school site I have taught at, two things remains crucial, student engagement and proficiency. Thus, my goals have evolved from instrumental to missional thinking. I discovered the difference in setting these types of goals while taking CEP 815: Technology and Leadership. Missional goals have a focus on the results of the goals versus the technology I want to learn. My coursework has shown me that my focus is not necessarily to learn more technology or implement appropriate technology; but how does this technology achieve the results I am looking for in my classroom and with my students.
My new goals are based off of the old goals. I still want to implement Web 2.0 and other appropriate technologies into my lesson and become a technology leader on campus. However, my new goals are broader based on the results the old goals have driven me towards. These goals are:
My developed goals give me a clear understanding of how my master’s coursework can guide me as a technology leader and forward thinking teacher in the classroom. As budgets are cut and school sites change, these goals are attainable because they are not specifically claiming the use of any one technology. These goals are also supported by all schools and districts because student engagement and proficiency are the keys to academic success. I believe that these goals can push me to become a lifelong learner after my masters program since there is no limit to their possibilities.
Regardless of the school site I have taught at, two things remains crucial, student engagement and proficiency. Thus, my goals have evolved from instrumental to missional thinking. I discovered the difference in setting these types of goals while taking CEP 815: Technology and Leadership. Missional goals have a focus on the results of the goals versus the technology I want to learn. My coursework has shown me that my focus is not necessarily to learn more technology or implement appropriate technology; but how does this technology achieve the results I am looking for in my classroom and with my students.
My new goals are based off of the old goals. I still want to implement Web 2.0 and other appropriate technologies into my lesson and become a technology leader on campus. However, my new goals are broader based on the results the old goals have driven me towards. These goals are:
- Encouraging the collaborative use of technology within my department and assisting other departments on how to use technology to better engage students in the lesson.
- Incorporating Web 2.0 and other appropriate technologies into lessons to build student’s abilities to become independent learners in and out of the classroom.
- Promote student creativity to develop new ways of imbedding technology into their studies across the curriculum.
My developed goals give me a clear understanding of how my master’s coursework can guide me as a technology leader and forward thinking teacher in the classroom. As budgets are cut and school sites change, these goals are attainable because they are not specifically claiming the use of any one technology. These goals are also supported by all schools and districts because student engagement and proficiency are the keys to academic success. I believe that these goals can push me to become a lifelong learner after my masters program since there is no limit to their possibilities.