In the Classroom and Beyond…
Jolene Roseth's Future as a Learner Essay
As I look to the future, I first must reflect on the past and where I started. My first step in becoming a life-long learner was the decision I made to obtain my Master’s degree. It had been more than ten years since taking classes or attending educational conferences. It was a frightening endeavor, but a goal I knew I wanted to pursue. To continue learning and gaining additional knowledge and insight into the world of literacy and technology was one I was excited to begin. This was my future learning! As daunting as it was in the beginning, I quickly began to learn concepts and ideas that I knew would help me in the classroom, but as well in my personal life. The most challenging aspect of learning about literacy was the new format for gaining knowledge. Online learning was a completely foreign idea to me and using computers for this purpose was going to be a challenge. I realized I was beginning to appreciate the value of new interests, value of the educational process, and value the knowledge of the content. I gained confidence and increased my self-efficacy for learning. With each class I realized I was capable of creating, writing, and developing my thinking. My success depended on my effort. I knew then that my focus for my future learning was going to be on literacy and technology in the classroom and for personal growth outside of the classroom.
As my “future” that started four years ago is now coming to an end, I now look to the next “future” phase from this point on. What will I do with my new knowledge for improving literacy learners, and how can I incorporate technology in my classroom and personal life to promote learning? How will I continue to grow as an educator and stay up to date on ever changing technological advances, as well as new information and ideas for teaching literacy?
Educator
I have come to learn that the future of education is heavily centered on technology. Our children are growing up in a “Digital Nation”, never knowing a world when computers, cell phones, and Facebook didn’t exist. They thrive to learn from it, and are easily bored with out it. This creates new challenges for teachers, as we must learn to adjust and learn with them. Through creating websites, glogs, videos for Vimeo, and using PowerPoint I have gained an understanding of technology that is vastly improved from when I began. I have purposely integrated using technology in my first grade class by frequently using the internet to look up their ideas, or use YouTube to search for videos of topics they are currently working on. I have begun to use iPads more frequently to obtain and maintain their interests while they practice phonic or math skills. Even with my newfound knowledge, I know as an educator I will always strive to learn more. My goal is to join fellow teachers in Ed Tech workshops that I have been hearing about in our district. There are several teachers that have more expertise in technology and I would like to learn how to utilize this technology (YouTube, iPads, Prezi’s, iMovie, etc.) in the most efficient and meaningful way. I would like to continue learning about Universal Design for Learning (UDL) by exploring and utilizing the website to provide further differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all diverse learners.
Collaborator
I feel that I have gained an expertise in understanding how to assess, analyze, and prepare reading activities and interventions for struggling readers. Currently, I share my knowledge with my grade level teachers, sharing my resources, and skills for helping them better understand some of their struggling readers, and in return they share with me. I am now well suited to feel like an equal contributor as I collaborate with my peers in a school setting. In order to continue learning, it will be important to continue collaboration with my fellow graduate classmates to ask questions and brainstorm ideas for classroom interventions or activities. I would like to work with my fellow educators in my school, district, and graduate students to further gain insight on reading strategies. Learning from colleagues can often be more beneficial than attending professional development opportunities. Other experienced teachers can provide insight and well-practiced ideas and concepts that I can quickly implement. I also have the privilege of living in a college town, East Lansing (MSU), and I would love to collaborate with professors in the department of teacher education to learn about the current teacher preparation programs and how current teachers and future teachers can learn from each other.
Life-long learner
As a lover of learning, I foresee myself continuing to better myself, both in the classroom and in my personal life. I have just begun to use Twitter as a tool for learning about a variety of subjects pertaining to education and technology. I would like to learn how to use chat rooms or join conversations via Twitter to further professional dialogue. I would also like to become more involved in blogging both personally and following other literacy experts to hear their “voice” and expertise. Professional development is another area that I will continue to pursue for improving my skills with literacy learners. There is so much information and knowledge that others have, and I can only learn and enhance my knowledge by taking advantage of the opportunities provided. As I continue to grow personally in my technological skills, I hope to utilize these in my classroom.