Goal Reflection Essay
New Technologies Lead to New Visions
A little under a year and a half ago, I decided to begin the journey towards my master’s degree. At this time, learning how to incorporate technology into the classroom was not a passion nor desire of mine because my school did not offer much technology for classrooms and I was not intrigued by what was there. When technology was available I used it, but did not actively try to find or create things to try if I could not guarantee the technology would be available. Therefore, I began the Master of Arts in Education (MAED) program concentrating in science and mathematics. My goals were to incorporate more student inquiry in my instruction and learn more techniques to develop and push my students’ higher order thinking skills to become critical thinkers. As I reflect on these goals, they were vague, however, I wanted to find authentic ways for my students learn and become problem solvers.
Since beginning the MAED program and being exposed to a variety of classes with technology being the focus, I have a revised vision for my goals. My current goal is to find authentic and meaningful ways of incorporating technology in to my instruction. I’ve seen how technology has the power to engage the most challenging of learners and can allow other students to express their creativity and knowledge in ways which would have gone undiscovered. Creating students who are critical thinkers will continue to remain a goal of mine, but I will look for ways in which technology can support my efforts. As my knowledge and confidence of new technology continues to grow, I want to push my profession self to become a technology leader at my school. I hope to be doing innovative things with technology and am able to support and teach my colleagues about them. This goal would push me outside of my comfort zone and challenge me in new ways that before I would not have thought possible. Lastly, another goal is to continue to use student inquiry based instruction in my classroom. Although this was an initial goal, I believe I can find ways for technology to enhance my effort.
The growth and changes I’ve made in my teaching career have positively impacted my goals. Teaching in a new district where there is a dramatic increase in the access to technology has opened my eyes to infinite number of possibilities available and I’m eager to explore them. As my appetite for learning continues to affect my personal and professional life, I’m more eager to try new things involving technology which could benefit both. Now, as I continue to learn more about technology in the classroom I will remember to find a balance with its use.
Looking back at the goals I set not too long ago and what they have refined into today, I see the power of learning. The learning I’ve undergone to learn new technologies has created and will continue to create a new vision for my teaching.