Mrs. Martin

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Before I began taking classes in Michigan State University’s (MSU) Master of Arts in Education (MAED) program, I had not given much thought to how I would use technology in my field of work or how technology would be beneficial to my students.  However, after spending two years in a program where all of my classes were online, I have gained a much more profound appreciation for technology and the role that it can play in education.  

In all honesty, technology was something that made me cringe throughout college.  I strongly disliked reading articles on the computer, I would always choose to write a 500-word essay rather than create a webpage or multi-media presentation, and I always took notes by hand.  Therefore, as I am sure you can imagine, enrolling in a program that was completely online was a daunting task for me (to say the least). 

Before classes started, I remember thinking to myself, “Can I really do this?”  I knew that if I put my time and effort into my courses that I would be able to excel.  However, I also knew that it would be a challenging two years for me, but that I would grow and develop as a learner in so many ways.

As stated above, when I began this program, I had very limited knowledge and experience working with technology.  I knew how to work the basic programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, along with the Internet and Email.  As a student in my young twenties, I also had a presence in the social media world (Facebook and Twitter).  However, my technology knowledge decreased rapidly after that.  I had very limited ideas on how to incorporate technology into my classroom, and I had even less of an idea about how technology could support students in the learning process. 

However, while I was a student in the MAED program, I was also working as an academic mentor with at-risk college students.  The MAED program was continuously showing me (the learner) how education could be supported and enhanced by technology.  I was being required to engage in online group discussions using GoogleDoc chats, Angel chat rooms and Piazza.  I was submitting homework and course projects using drop boxes and GoogleDocs, and I was constantly engaging in online learning practices.  These activities showed me that technology could be a way to connect various learners, across the country, and allow them to participate in meaningful discussions. 

My knowledge of technology came full circle, however, when I was able to combine the work I was doing as a student, with the techniques I was learning as an academic mentor.  As a mentor, I was working with college students who were academically underprepared for collegiate-level learning and/or diagnosed with a learning disability.  My program advisor would often make us aware of software that was available for our student’s use.  One particular piece of technology that I found interesting was “Dragon”.  Dragon is a speech recognition program that allows students to verbally speak what they wanted to type and the program converts their words into text.  Currently, I have not had an opportunity to use this program, but I am looking forward to doing so in the future. 

Technology has started to take a large role in the educational sphere.  Teachers and administrators have started to become more aware of various programs that they can use in their classrooms and schools in order to help both traditional and non-traditional learners.  I will be working with college students and will therefore need to stay up-to-date on the various technology programs that are being used because my students will be working with them on a daily basis.  The world of online learning has grown so much in the last six years.  When I was a senior in high school in 2007, I remember finding it odd that one of my friends was taking an online course.  However, I am now preparing to graduate with a Master’s degree that was completed online. 

College students will continue to utilize online and computer based programs as educational tools. Therefore, it is imperative that I work to educate myself so I know how to assist them.   One way that I see technology further integrating itself into education is through the use of tool such as iPads.  Lately I have heard a lot about the educational programs that the iPad offers to students.  I think that these personal tablets will begin to become a staple in the educational community. 

Technology, just like learning, is ever evolving.   Therefore, my role as a learner will never dissipate.  I will always need to be researching new methods to help students learn and using technology will be one of those methods.  Technology programs, if used properly, can greatly enhance the learning experience for students of all ages.