Educational Background and Work Experience
It had always been my goal to become an elementary school teacher. During my sophomore year at Auburn University, I was accepted into their Early Childhood Education Program. I received my degree in Early Childhood Education from Auburn University in May of 2013. Throughout my internships and classroom experiences while at Auburn, I was able to see first-hand how important technology was in education. I was constantly answering questions for my intern teachers about the technology they were using in their classrooms. These experiences sparked my interest in technology in education and lead to my decision to apply to the University of Georgia’s Instructional Design and Development (IDD) emphasis area in the Learning, Design and Technology program. I felt this degree, upon completion, would provide me with various opportunities in education and business. I was accepted into the program and started my studies in the fall of 2013 and will graduate in the summer of 2015.
To gain experience in teaching, during the first year of my masters program, I substitute taught and took a part time position as a writing coordinator in the Gwinnett County School System. Though I was not considering a full time position at the time, a full-time kindergarten position became available and I accepted that and moved into the classroom teaching full time in 2014. This provided me with a great opportunity to use the things I learned in my master’s program in the classroom. I worked closely with the other teachers in my group to implement and learn various software programs. My school had monthly technology meetings that provided mini sessions on using different technology applications in the classroom.
Personal Goals and Objectives for the Program
Entering the program my exposure to technology design and development had been very limited if not non-existent. By enrolling in the Learning, Design and Technology program, I plan to develop more skills in instructional design and development. I want to be able to apply the skills I learned in my classroom and other educational settings to build and develop applications to facilitate my teaching skills and the student’s learning ability. One day, I hope to be able to use what I have learned in a business setting, should I choose to take a different career path.
Additionally, I want to be able to develop online modules that will grab the learners’ attention and keep them motivated. One day I can use these skills at a higher level developing educational modules for secondary education or college curriculums. Whichever path I choose, I plan to be able to design an online website whether it be for a business or for my classroom.
Fulfillment of Personal Goals and Objectives
The Learning, Design, and Technology program has allowed me to fulfill all of my personal goals and objectives and so much more. The program has elevated my confidence to tackle technology and heightened my awareness to the power of technology in the learning environment. I have become more confident in my design and development skills. This program has taught me various new software and tools to use. I have also developed knowledge about different instructional models.
I have been able to design online modules that engage learners. The students in my kindergarten class loved using the technology module I developed that allowed them to track their progress and what they had learned. Additionally, I had the opportunity to develop an online module for a business setting for the Gwinnett County School System. This allowed me to experience what it would be like to work at the administrative level of a county school system.
It also has provided me with insight of what it takes to keep learners engaged. I have begun taking back what I what I have learned in my masters program and started using it in my classroom.
Professional Objectives for the Future
In the future, my goal is to implement more of what I have learned from the Learning, Design, and Technology program into my classroom. I will take some of the applications and technologies I have learned and update my online classroom resources and provide more online modules for my students to use as review. I intend to take what I have learned in this program and provide more professional development for my colleagues. My goal is to gain a few more years of teaching experience in the classroom and then combine this experience with my technology experience and hopefully become an Instructional Technology Coordinator at a school or district level.
Unique Characteristics
Working as a kindergarten teacher in the Gwinnett County School System, while going through the program, has allowed me to take what I have learned and apply it directly to my classroom. I was also given the opportunity to share some of my new knowledge in a staff development setting with a group of my colleagues. While completing my masters, I was allowed the opportunity to get my certification in Instructional Technology. This allowed me to really document the technology I was using in my classroom and see the benefits of it. This program has taught me new things to try in my classroom and to share with my colleagues.
Personal Vision and Philosophy
In today’s society everyone is using technology more and relying on it for everyday tasks. Since my program has an emphasis in education I am focused on technology in the classroom. Most, if not all, classrooms today have access to some form of technology. As teachers we need to evolve with technology and embrace the power in using technology as a learning device. Technology engages students and we have to learn how to incorporate it effectively to enhance the learning experience for our students.