Open Doors
Future as a Learner
Lauren E. Pate
My father and brother are both in the field of technology and they had a great influence over my interests growing up. My father is the website manager for a cabinetry company. One distinct memory was being on set while my dad facilitated a music video called The Good Life in one of his company’s kitchens. He was able to get Ben Daniels, Jeff Daniels’ son, to provide the music. He also designed part of the website with thematic video tutorials displaying four different styles of kitchens that met four different lifestyles titled Kitchen Chronicles. The theme was based on Dr. Seuss so all the utensils were larger than life. I was in awe of all the components at play as he created these videos. They were amazing pieces of work and both produced by my dad.
My brother has always been the more technical one. He has worked in a variety of positions in the IT department. He taught me about smaller tasks involving storing music, uploading videos, Skyping, etc. He currently resides in Washington, D.C. which makes Skype a vital source of communication. JoinMe is an additional program we use to allow the other person to view our own screen while Skyping. One other platform we use is Dropbox to share picture files from previous trips.
The men in my life sparked my initial interest in technology and constructed, what I thought was, a solid foundation for learning about it. This led me to my choice of a Master’s of Arts in Educational Technology. However, even with my experience I was overwhelmed with all the new tools I was going to encounter through this program. I felt like I was a beginner again when I first started the classes. As I moved through the courses one by one, I found myself becoming more and more comfortable using the new tools. Now, I have a new found confidence that I will carry with me beyond the MAET program.
My brother has always been the more technical one. He has worked in a variety of positions in the IT department. He taught me about smaller tasks involving storing music, uploading videos, Skyping, etc. He currently resides in Washington, D.C. which makes Skype a vital source of communication. JoinMe is an additional program we use to allow the other person to view our own screen while Skyping. One other platform we use is Dropbox to share picture files from previous trips.
The men in my life sparked my initial interest in technology and constructed, what I thought was, a solid foundation for learning about it. This led me to my choice of a Master’s of Arts in Educational Technology. However, even with my experience I was overwhelmed with all the new tools I was going to encounter through this program. I felt like I was a beginner again when I first started the classes. As I moved through the courses one by one, I found myself becoming more and more comfortable using the new tools. Now, I have a new found confidence that I will carry with me beyond the MAET program.
Before this program, I was hesitant to step up as an educational leader. Now, I feel self-assured to share ideas and learning experiences with others. I am positive in my skills regarding a field in which others lack expertise. With this new confidence, I will continue to be proactive in stepping up for team positions within my school and community. This will include professional positions to help educate my colleagues and club organizations for students to participate in. I will also feel more comfortable integrating these advanced tools in my classroom to allow my students to get ahead in this technology-driven society. Many of the tools this program has taught me have become a seamless part of my life and have built on my previous knowledge.
Because being a great educator means interchanging between a learner and teacher, I will continue my training and development on available technologies. I will ensure my personal learning network will grow exponentially as I maintain my eclectic web presence through RSS feed subscriptions, blogging, emailing, website publishing, etc. I also plan to attend as many professional developments as allotted. Lastly, I have had a strong interest in project-based learning. I want to infuse this teaching style and the different technologies involved with it into my classroom. Although this may take some time to develop, I believe this compiles all the aspects of a successful learning environment, including collaboration, ownership of learning, critical thinking, and technology.
Because being a great educator means interchanging between a learner and teacher, I will continue my training and development on available technologies. I will ensure my personal learning network will grow exponentially as I maintain my eclectic web presence through RSS feed subscriptions, blogging, emailing, website publishing, etc. I also plan to attend as many professional developments as allotted. Lastly, I have had a strong interest in project-based learning. I want to infuse this teaching style and the different technologies involved with it into my classroom. Although this may take some time to develop, I believe this compiles all the aspects of a successful learning environment, including collaboration, ownership of learning, critical thinking, and technology.
Because of program requirements, I was not able to take courses incorporating math and technology specifically. As a result, I have researched other options and will be taking advantage of MOOCs, or massive online courses, in the future. These are incredible, no cost, learning opportunities to help further interests. Many of the courses offer certificates of completion, which, are increasingly recognized as achievements. Many of my colleagues I have met through this program are more experienced teachers and have settled down with their families. Being a young teacher, the doors are wide open for me. The next few years will be the enjoyment of taking all of this in and incorporating everything I have learned into my classroom. I have been given the tools to make a difference.
This program has not only provided chances for me to further my professional career, but these practices have permanently affected my personal life. Because of this program, I am able to share and collaborate with my family, building a bond that will endure a lifetime. I have a faithful desire to move forward in my learning and stay up to date with the constantly changing technologies and globalization. I have grown tremendously professionally, personally, and socially through the MAET program and I am eager to see the opportunities this program has opened up for me. Even though my master’s degree will be complete, my learning will not be.
This program has not only provided chances for me to further my professional career, but these practices have permanently affected my personal life. Because of this program, I am able to share and collaborate with my family, building a bond that will endure a lifetime. I have a faithful desire to move forward in my learning and stay up to date with the constantly changing technologies and globalization. I have grown tremendously professionally, personally, and socially through the MAET program and I am eager to see the opportunities this program has opened up for me. Even though my master’s degree will be complete, my learning will not be.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
- Dr. Seuss
- Dr. Seuss