HEAR WHAT OUR STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY
Thinking back to before I was taking any of these classes, it makes me wonder how I did things efficiently in my classroom. These classes have taught me so much about using technology to help manage my classroom and offer the best in all areas to my students. Of course I was using technology in my classroom but not nearly to the extent I am now. I am eager to incorporate all of these great things into my classroom in the fall.
Lauren Arnett
Cannonsburg Elementary
Rockford Public Schools
4th Grade Teacher
My vision of educational technology has drastically changed. I have always been a big fan of technology. As soon as my parents bought me a computer, I was typing away on AOL Instant Messenger in to all hours of the night. I now realize though, that technology can be such a great tool. Technology has not only made my life easier, but it has made teaching easier and more beneficial. An example would be photo resizing. I used to tell my students to open up Microsoft Photo Editor, go to resize, change the size, then save as. Now that I have discovered Photo Gadget, all they have to do is right click on the picture and resize it. Just a simple tool made something that my students do everyday a little bit faster. This is just a small example, but the technology tools are endless. I feel as though I will never have enough information in my head when it comes to technology, I will be on a learning ride for the rest of my career, but I am definitely excited about it.
Kelly Royer
Pennfield High School
Broadcasting Newspaper, and Yearbook teacher
It wasn't even a year ago when I found out about this program at a conference last August. I've always been a gadget person and loved technology, but now I feel that I am a real guru in my district. I know that there is so much more to learn, but I get excited at each new step and go back and share with fellow teachers. I just hope that I can get them as excited about the technology as I am.
I really found that now that I've learned about plenty of new technologies, I really need to focus on implementing them into my classroom. I love to use them, help others with them, but I know that I can do a better job of really helping my students by using the technologies more in my classroom.Cary Lamb
Fowlerville High School
Math Teacher
I cannot even begin to describe the change in my view of educational technology since January. I will admit that being in science I thought the lab equipment was sufficient for the most part. What a different view I now have. I realized how technology can help me move my instruction to involve higher level thinking skills. I am amazed and ashamed at how much is available that I was not even aware of. These last few months have been stressful, but exciting at the same time.
I read more than once that one of the biggest reasons schools have difficulty keeping up on technology is because teachers are not given the time to learn and to collaborate. I definitely feel that is true. I appreciated the support offered by the other members of 810, 811, and 812. Now I'm really wanting time to process all that I've learned and start really digging in to lessons for next year. I guess that will have to wait a few more weeks as we embark on a new adventure with the summer cohort.Jamie Daugherty, NBCT
Orchard View Middle School
8th Grade Science Teacher
I agree . . . about the amount of valuable information we have been exposed to throughout this series of classes. I have learned about free software, blogging, wikis, Web 2.0, research on incorporating technology, technology standards, podcasting... the list goes on and on! But more importantly, I have learned how to find information and resources that will help me to become a better educator. I have become aware that there are so many things out there that I can use to increase my student's learning that I had not known about. When I started this course, I felt pretty tech-savvy. I realized that I was mostly just unaware of the really neat and useful technologies that are available to educators and students. I got to see how my fellow teachers are using technology and it has been inspiring!
Jillian Bronkema
McBain Middle School
6th grade math & technology teacher
MAET immersed me in a world of technology that I was only swimming on top of previously. The fantastic instructors encouraged me to move forward with technology and expand my thinking when applying it to the classroom. I now have a very solid network of individuals who I can call on when I have questions or want to learn more. My degree also helped me reach beyond my own classroom and obtain a career where I can reach both teachers and students all over the United States. I have had nothing but the most positive experience with MSU's MAET program.
Lissa Weier
Polyvision
Educational Consultant
