Keep Moving Forward
by Andrea Smock
“Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important.”
–Bill Gates
As I began this Master’s course a few years ago, there was no doubt in my mind that I would definitely be taking classes fully online. Some things went through my mind as I began to search for classes and Master’s programs. “Would it be too difficult to learn online without any “real”classroom to go to?” and “Would I get less out of the classes that I did not ‘actually attend’?” I finally thought that taking online classes is a more modern approach to learning so I might as well try it out!
Honestly, the main reason why I wanted to take classes online was because I did not want to be teaching from 7:30 in the morning until 4:00 in the evening and then have to go to a class until 9:30! Online classes just seemed more convenient for me. Also, as I thought about it, isn’t that what technology is all about? Isn’t it about taking a task and making it more convenient, more user-friendly? I think about technology like that anyway. However, I also was excited to start online classes so I could share this experience with my students. I think it is important for them to see that there are new learning options out there.
Now as I transition from a current student to a lifelong learner, I begin to look at how I envision my continuing education as a teacher. Obviously as a teacher I am required to continue my education outside of my Master’s courses. Because of my MSU courses I believe I will be looking for more professional development classes online.
As mentioned before, I believe that online courses are more convenient and I am able to take the classes when I want and I also am able to learn at my own pace. In addition to that however, and even more imperative, online classes are more up to date and are ever changing because information is more readily available and easily attainable. By taking classes online, the learner is able to interact with material more quickly and more effectively.
As a teacher it is my responsibility to teach my students in a way that enhances their learning. I think it is my job to teach my students current information in a way that is modern enough for them to understand. Students are inundated with technology from basically birth now. Technology is not something that they interact with for a few minutes each day in a classroom. Technology is their way of life. To continue my education is to keep pace with an ever growing population that uses technology all the time! I was looking online and came across a great quote to summarize my point:
"Preparing students today for tomorrow's workforce has a lot to do with teaching about how to use and evaluate knowledge. The Internet is rapidly becoming the biggest repository of information we have ever known. The key will be our ability to find, evaluate and use the information it provides...Students must know how to evaluate data."
-- The Web-Based Education Commission
I always say, it is my job as a teacher to first and foremost give my students the best education possible. In order for that to happen, I also have to continue being a student. I think that it is in the teachers’ job description to continually develop better skills as a teacher by learning different and current approaches to education.
In conclusion, I think this Master’s program has really influenced my way of thinking as a lifelong learner. Learning, not only takes place in a classroom but it can also take place online. Learning online is not only convenient to my current lifestyle; it provides me with the most up to date information that is available. I think it is great that my job requires me to continue my education because if I were in a different profession I am not sure if I would constantly want to learn more. Online education, I believe is the way of the future. I hope to continue my education with help from online classes because it is imperative to keep pace with my students’ way of learning.
–Bill Gates
As I began this Master’s course a few years ago, there was no doubt in my mind that I would definitely be taking classes fully online. Some things went through my mind as I began to search for classes and Master’s programs. “Would it be too difficult to learn online without any “real”classroom to go to?” and “Would I get less out of the classes that I did not ‘actually attend’?” I finally thought that taking online classes is a more modern approach to learning so I might as well try it out!
Honestly, the main reason why I wanted to take classes online was because I did not want to be teaching from 7:30 in the morning until 4:00 in the evening and then have to go to a class until 9:30! Online classes just seemed more convenient for me. Also, as I thought about it, isn’t that what technology is all about? Isn’t it about taking a task and making it more convenient, more user-friendly? I think about technology like that anyway. However, I also was excited to start online classes so I could share this experience with my students. I think it is important for them to see that there are new learning options out there.
Now as I transition from a current student to a lifelong learner, I begin to look at how I envision my continuing education as a teacher. Obviously as a teacher I am required to continue my education outside of my Master’s courses. Because of my MSU courses I believe I will be looking for more professional development classes online.
As mentioned before, I believe that online courses are more convenient and I am able to take the classes when I want and I also am able to learn at my own pace. In addition to that however, and even more imperative, online classes are more up to date and are ever changing because information is more readily available and easily attainable. By taking classes online, the learner is able to interact with material more quickly and more effectively.
As a teacher it is my responsibility to teach my students in a way that enhances their learning. I think it is my job to teach my students current information in a way that is modern enough for them to understand. Students are inundated with technology from basically birth now. Technology is not something that they interact with for a few minutes each day in a classroom. Technology is their way of life. To continue my education is to keep pace with an ever growing population that uses technology all the time! I was looking online and came across a great quote to summarize my point:
"Preparing students today for tomorrow's workforce has a lot to do with teaching about how to use and evaluate knowledge. The Internet is rapidly becoming the biggest repository of information we have ever known. The key will be our ability to find, evaluate and use the information it provides...Students must know how to evaluate data."
-- The Web-Based Education Commission
I always say, it is my job as a teacher to first and foremost give my students the best education possible. In order for that to happen, I also have to continue being a student. I think that it is in the teachers’ job description to continually develop better skills as a teacher by learning different and current approaches to education.
In conclusion, I think this Master’s program has really influenced my way of thinking as a lifelong learner. Learning, not only takes place in a classroom but it can also take place online. Learning online is not only convenient to my current lifestyle; it provides me with the most up to date information that is available. I think it is great that my job requires me to continue my education because if I were in a different profession I am not sure if I would constantly want to learn more. Online education, I believe is the way of the future. I hope to continue my education with help from online classes because it is imperative to keep pace with my students’ way of learning.