My role as a student seems to be coming to a very quick end, yet, not really. As I have made my journey through the Master’s of Educational Technology (MAET) program at Michigan State University I have become inspired even more to make learning a part of my life. Not only do I plan to motivate my students to be lifelong learners, but also I plan to be a model of this concept. One of the things I have become very interested in throughout this program is how we can inspire kids to be intrinsically motivated. Theories suggest that if we give students choice, while also providing the right amount of challenge and support, students will be motivated and invested in their own learning. I feel like this is something that the MAET program has provided me and now I’m motivated more than ever to make advances in my own education. I plan on continuing my life long learner journey by expanding my PLN (Professional/Personal Learning Network), Expanding my knowledge on PBL (Problem Based Learning), Maker Spaces, and Genius Hour, and creating a voice for myself in the world of educators.
You can never have PLN that is too big. Building your PLN can provide a multitude of learning opportunities by connecting you to experts in the field. One of the best ways to increase your learning network is by using Twitter. Though I already have a Twitter account I feel that I am not using it to its full potential. One of the ways I plan to help increase my PLN is by participating in Twitter Chats such as #MichEd. Participating in chats such as this will provide me the opportunity to discuss issues in education with educators who I might not otherwise have the privilege to collaborate with. By using Twitter I will also be able to follow these educators tweets along with blogs like Edutopia that provide thoughtful educational insight. Not only will I use Twitter to expand my PLN, but I also plan to attend more educational conferences like MACUL to meet and learn from other educators face to face.
I have learned about so many different innovative ways to teach and learn throughout this program it makes me giddy; Maker Education, Problem Based Learning (PBL), Genius Hour, Oh My! The only problem is, it is hard to implement these programs into a regular general education classroom, while also using the required curriculum and standards. It takes a lot of time and effort to find ways to melt these two concepts together, and I want to figure out how to do both effectively. Concepts such as Maker Education and PBL instill curiosity into the minds of students and naturally motivate them to find answers. I plan to learn more about PBL with my new and improved PLN, while also looking more at Common Core Standards and ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) Standards to find ways to create and implement lessons that will make students, teachers, and administration happy.
I love to collaborate and share my ideas with others; however, for some reason I am hesitant to put myself out there when it comes to more than a fellow teacher. I want to not only share and collaborate what I know with the educators I work with directly but also on a bigger scale. I would like to add more to the blog I created in my first year of the MAET program, while also using my PLN goals to help me have more of a voice. Once I become more fluent and comfortable I would eventually like to take it one step further and present sessions at various ed camps such as Nerd Camp. I look forward to gaining more confidence in sharing my knowledge and ideas with others.
Though my days of being a student at a University may be coming to an end, this does not mean that I have to stop being a learner. The world around us is constantly changing and we need to be able to keep up. I plan to continue to connect to a variety of resources that will help me to continue my journey as a learner. I also hope to continue to discover more ways to inspire others to be lifelong learners.
"The pursuit of knowledge is never ending. The day you stop seeking knowledge is the day you stop growing"
-Brandon Travis Ciaccio
Images:
Title Quote
Networking Infographic
You can never have PLN that is too big. Building your PLN can provide a multitude of learning opportunities by connecting you to experts in the field. One of the best ways to increase your learning network is by using Twitter. Though I already have a Twitter account I feel that I am not using it to its full potential. One of the ways I plan to help increase my PLN is by participating in Twitter Chats such as #MichEd. Participating in chats such as this will provide me the opportunity to discuss issues in education with educators who I might not otherwise have the privilege to collaborate with. By using Twitter I will also be able to follow these educators tweets along with blogs like Edutopia that provide thoughtful educational insight. Not only will I use Twitter to expand my PLN, but I also plan to attend more educational conferences like MACUL to meet and learn from other educators face to face.
I have learned about so many different innovative ways to teach and learn throughout this program it makes me giddy; Maker Education, Problem Based Learning (PBL), Genius Hour, Oh My! The only problem is, it is hard to implement these programs into a regular general education classroom, while also using the required curriculum and standards. It takes a lot of time and effort to find ways to melt these two concepts together, and I want to figure out how to do both effectively. Concepts such as Maker Education and PBL instill curiosity into the minds of students and naturally motivate them to find answers. I plan to learn more about PBL with my new and improved PLN, while also looking more at Common Core Standards and ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) Standards to find ways to create and implement lessons that will make students, teachers, and administration happy.
I love to collaborate and share my ideas with others; however, for some reason I am hesitant to put myself out there when it comes to more than a fellow teacher. I want to not only share and collaborate what I know with the educators I work with directly but also on a bigger scale. I would like to add more to the blog I created in my first year of the MAET program, while also using my PLN goals to help me have more of a voice. Once I become more fluent and comfortable I would eventually like to take it one step further and present sessions at various ed camps such as Nerd Camp. I look forward to gaining more confidence in sharing my knowledge and ideas with others.
Though my days of being a student at a University may be coming to an end, this does not mean that I have to stop being a learner. The world around us is constantly changing and we need to be able to keep up. I plan to continue to connect to a variety of resources that will help me to continue my journey as a learner. I also hope to continue to discover more ways to inspire others to be lifelong learners.
"The pursuit of knowledge is never ending. The day you stop seeking knowledge is the day you stop growing"
-Brandon Travis Ciaccio
Images:
Title Quote
Networking Infographic