Learning to Lead
A Goal Reflection By Chris Groenhout
When I began the MAET program, it was my goal to learn the methodology and pedagogy of teaching with technology. The potential educational benefits of technology have been inspiring since I was an undergraduate. By the time I started this program I had produced online resources for my students, written and received technology grants, provided professional development for our district, and received certification in online instruction.
I had always been interested in new technologies and their potential to improve my students’ learning experience. To me, technology is more than just the next new thing. Technology allows us to demonstrate, create, and communicate more effectively and efficiently. A student can use a probe to collect data in real time, access course material at any time from anyplace, and publish their work globally. The increasing complexity and quality of my student’s work has served to motivate me to continually strive for innovation in my approach to education. Working with other students in this program, our school’s technology committee and teacher’s across the state, I have often found myself in a leadership position. Organizing goals, ideas, individual skills, and resources to execute a unified vision has proven to be strength of mine. I have lead multiple class projects in several MAET courses, provided assistance to instructors of professional development, and produced a professional development site for our district. All of which were done for no other reason than that it was what I believed was best for student success. Having the knowledge of educational technology pedagogy has only increased my motivation for innovation. In this developing field of education, I hope to continue to be a resource for other teachers and students as we all experience exciting change that will increase our success as we aim for the most effective educational experience we can provide. |