The Undiscovered Country: The Future
Education is in the midst of a revolution. With new tools and knowledge pools made accessible by the internet, education is shifting from a strong focus on knowledge to an increased emphasis of application and analysis. Additionally with the new digital technologies becoming fixtures in the work place there is an increasing need for educators to train a work force to learn and utilize these tools. Due to these developments it is necessary that teachers must jump on the train for the uncharted territory ahead, the future. In order to navigate the undiscovered country of the future, teachers are required to adapt how they both learn and teach in their classrooms. As I move forward from the MAET program I look forward to using the vast online resources to continue my own learning so that I can continue to push my colleagues and students in preparing for the digitized future.
Adapting to Future Changes
In order to keep up with the rapid changes taking place in both education and technology, the MAET program has equipped me with a variety of digital resources as well as learning methods to continue future learning. Video sites such as Teachertube or Youtube are great resources to learn about new education ideas and techniques being effectively implemented by other teachers. Additionally encouraging students to use these sites as resources for their own learning will also prove useful. Other resources initially introduced to me through the MAET program that can help continue to push my future learning also include blogs, teacher websites, and web aggregators. Through basic internet searches in engines such as Google, Bing, or Yahoo, it is very easy to find numerous teacher blogs that discuss experiences in a range of topics from edugaming to class PowerPoints. Using web aggregators such as Netvibes, I will be able to quickly filter down important information to learn about new classroom ideas or research ideas of my own. Finally other education resources that can help develop future abilities include networks of former classmates or websites such as Connexion. These networks will allow for me to bounce ideas off colleagues, giving each of us an opportunity to use one another’s experience to quickly implement ideas. Each of these resources, which I have learned about in the MAET program, will continue to help me grow as a professional so that I can continue to help my colleagues and students explore and navigate the rapid changes technology is bringing to the world and education.
The Near Future Goals
The MAET program has also had an impact on my near future plans as an educator. I am currently working toward teaching students how to construct a video that acts as a final project in their class. This ambitious idea was birthed from my personal experience with multimedia construction in the MAET program as well as different scholarly pieces that have required for reading in the MAET program. Students' learning is found to improve when the curriculum is cohesive and blends skills with content. Such a semester long activity would achieve such an idea. My hope is to teach Microsoft Moviemaker as a number of steps mixed with content pieces from U.S. History throughout the course of a semester. Eventually the content and technology skills will culminate with students producing a video that illustrates the identity of the U.S. using multimedia resources, content, and music. This plan is currently being implemented in the U.S. History department at Rochester High School.
The Distant Future Goals
As I move forward from my formal education in the MAET program there are a couple ideas that I would love to research with the intent of future classroom implementation. Prior to the MAET program I had a deep intrigue with using simulations and games to teach students. During the program I was able to collaborate with classmates to research some additional information on implementing gaming as a meaningful teaching tool. This activity whet my appetite to explore using simulations to teach students. With the widespread availability of computers that can run these games it may be possible to implement them on a widespread basis. I have already visited a number of websites and have listened to NPR interviews with researchers that have discussed the potential ‘edugaming’ possesses. Another idea I would like to explore has to do with creating a program in school districts that would mirror the experience in the MAET program. I would love to work toward beginning a cohesive curriculum that requires the construction of a web portfolio that reflects the work of students throughout their formal education. This program can produce a number of great benefits to any student despite their eventual career aspirations because it would help develop the basic levels of technology literacy required for future success.
Continuing the Journey
I have mentioned several times throughout my web portfolio that with all of these exciting resources and ideas I feel as if I am a pioneer setting out to explore the unknown. With the development of technical skills I look forward to guiding both students and my colleagues through this uncharted territory seeking the destination of a perfect education for everyone.