Last year, January of 2012, I began on a new educational and professional journey.
I had been involved in technology for three decades and during that time, I had also had several opportunities to instruct and facilitate adults in different subjects, from teaching new recruits how to organize a business, create and implement a marketing plan and run a successful company, to training someone to save a life in an emergency. I very much enjoyed teaching and facilitating learning.
So, after thirty years doing telecom and IT work, I decided to switch gears and focus my technology knowledge and experience into the education field. I researched the options and settled on Educational Technology as my focus, and Michigan State University became my new home. I began an Ed Tech consulting company and enrolled in the MAET program. The more I researched and learned, the more sure I was about the path that I had chosen.
This would be my last career change and I was excited about the chance to inspire and motivate classroom teachers to integrate technology into their existing pedagogy... not just so they would be more competent and relevant teachers, but that kids might be inspired, get excited and engage with learning. I wanted to have a small part in creating lifelong learners.
My goals from the start were to complete the MAET program over the course of two years, and in that time, find a position at a local school. I approached the Asst. Superintendent at my wife’s school and we set out a plan for me to work with the Middle School and High School teachers. I started in August 2012 as an outside Ed Tech consultant with a plan for a part-time position next year and a full-time position as Director of Ed Tech when I get my MAET degree. The school is in the first year of our 1:1 iPad integration so my progression will somewhat mirror the rollout. Juniors and Seniors this year, the rest of the high school next and the middle school the following year. When I finish the MAET program, we will have nearly 400 students with iPads and a K-5 program that is clamoring for them. There will certainly be many opportunities to influence and guide teachers into the use of technology.
I had been involved in technology for three decades and during that time, I had also had several opportunities to instruct and facilitate adults in different subjects, from teaching new recruits how to organize a business, create and implement a marketing plan and run a successful company, to training someone to save a life in an emergency. I very much enjoyed teaching and facilitating learning.
So, after thirty years doing telecom and IT work, I decided to switch gears and focus my technology knowledge and experience into the education field. I researched the options and settled on Educational Technology as my focus, and Michigan State University became my new home. I began an Ed Tech consulting company and enrolled in the MAET program. The more I researched and learned, the more sure I was about the path that I had chosen.
This would be my last career change and I was excited about the chance to inspire and motivate classroom teachers to integrate technology into their existing pedagogy... not just so they would be more competent and relevant teachers, but that kids might be inspired, get excited and engage with learning. I wanted to have a small part in creating lifelong learners.
My goals from the start were to complete the MAET program over the course of two years, and in that time, find a position at a local school. I approached the Asst. Superintendent at my wife’s school and we set out a plan for me to work with the Middle School and High School teachers. I started in August 2012 as an outside Ed Tech consultant with a plan for a part-time position next year and a full-time position as Director of Ed Tech when I get my MAET degree. The school is in the first year of our 1:1 iPad integration so my progression will somewhat mirror the rollout. Juniors and Seniors this year, the rest of the high school next and the middle school the following year. When I finish the MAET program, we will have nearly 400 students with iPads and a K-5 program that is clamoring for them. There will certainly be many opportunities to influence and guide teachers into the use of technology.
After taking the first three courses in the MAET series, I have developed a new passion. I am
convinced that ePortfolios are an essential part of integrating technology. We must give our students a place to showcase their work and a place to reflect upon their learning. We are asking our students to create digital artifacts, yet we have no place for them to go. Our teachers are bogged down with traditional paper grading and see ePortfolios as an added burden instead of a time saving tool and a way to assess quickly where a student is instead of waiting for the high stakes test to determine it for us.
Another passion that is growing strong again for me is being a lifelong learner myself. I have always considered myself a lifelong learner as this was a character trait that was taught to me by my Dad and some of my favorite mentors. Even in my other technology business, I lost count of the number of certifications and licenses that I have obtained. Yet somehow, I hunger for more. Even though I started the MAET program thinking it would be my final formal journey into education, I now think it is but a stepping stone. I do not know what lies ahead, but I know that my thirst for education has not been quenched yet. The more I learn about pedagogy and technology, the more I want to know.
The TPACK framework, in particular, is causing me to research more and dig for those nuggets of truth that are so abundant in the world of educators. The Personal Learning Networks I have joined are constantly adding to my knowledge base and my bag of tricks. I do not know if my next step is to pursue another discipline within the Education world, or maybe go on for my Doctorate. I do know, however, that I have found a new home. Go Spartans!
Addendum: After reading through a few of my classmates blogs, I remembered that I did not address one other opportunity that I am pursuing. I joined ISTE last year and atteneded their conference in San Diego last summer. I had to squeeze it in and really only got a couple of days out of the 5... but I was hooked. This is a gold mine of educational treasure. I signed my wife and myself up for the 2013 conference in San Antonio and was part of the team that read seminar proposals for the Technology sessions. My plan was to understand how to write a good session proposal and what was good subject matter. My Goal is to be a presenter at the 2014 conference. Another way to push myself forward.
Another passion that is growing strong again for me is being a lifelong learner myself. I have always considered myself a lifelong learner as this was a character trait that was taught to me by my Dad and some of my favorite mentors. Even in my other technology business, I lost count of the number of certifications and licenses that I have obtained. Yet somehow, I hunger for more. Even though I started the MAET program thinking it would be my final formal journey into education, I now think it is but a stepping stone. I do not know what lies ahead, but I know that my thirst for education has not been quenched yet. The more I learn about pedagogy and technology, the more I want to know.
The TPACK framework, in particular, is causing me to research more and dig for those nuggets of truth that are so abundant in the world of educators. The Personal Learning Networks I have joined are constantly adding to my knowledge base and my bag of tricks. I do not know if my next step is to pursue another discipline within the Education world, or maybe go on for my Doctorate. I do know, however, that I have found a new home. Go Spartans!Addendum: After reading through a few of my classmates blogs, I remembered that I did not address one other opportunity that I am pursuing. I joined ISTE last year and atteneded their conference in San Diego last summer. I had to squeeze it in and really only got a couple of days out of the 5... but I was hooked. This is a gold mine of educational treasure. I signed my wife and myself up for the 2013 conference in San Antonio and was part of the team that read seminar proposals for the Technology sessions. My plan was to understand how to write a good session proposal and what was good subject matter. My Goal is to be a presenter at the 2014 conference. Another way to push myself forward.
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