The Learning Continues...
Shannon Haines
As I approach the end of my degree program here at Michigan State University, I am looking at it in two ways. On one hand, my Master’s program will be complete. I will be finished, done, no more. On the other hand, I also know that this is just a small bump in my road of education. I know that while this is a big step, it is also just a milestone. My education will continue for as long as I am a part of someone elses education. There is no magic “end” in sight. There is so much out there to learn already that I don’t know. In addition to that, so much research is being done that changes the ways that we need to teach children. I know that in order to be an effective educator, I need to keep up on that research and fit it into my teaching on a regular basis. While I may be “finished” with my Master’s Program, I am in no way finished learning.
When I was about to graduate with my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Saginaw Valley State University, I had similar feelings. On one hand, I was so happy that I was almost done with my schooling. I could finally teach in a classroom of my own. I knew that there was more to learn along the way and down the road, but I was looking forward to the finality of that degree – the one requirement that would allow me my own classroom. During that last semester of classes, I came across a cartoon that I cut out and hung in my office. The girl is graduating and a comment is made that she finally gets to be a “real teacher”, but she remarks how scared she is because she still has so much to learn. To this day, I still look at that cartoon and nod my head, knowing that is how it will always be as long as I am a teacher.
On a regular day, I encounter changes in education. Whether it comes in the form of an email from an institution, an update in curriculum, a message from a colleague, a staff meeting presentation or any other form, it all boils down to the never-ending adjustments that I need to make in order to be up-to-date with my teaching. Traveling the road to my Master’s Degree has been very helpful in readying me for these changes.
As we move toward computer-based state testing, I see that many of my students are not ready for this. While they may be able to articulate how they have found their answers with pencil and paper, how are they going to do this in an online format? Not only does our technology program that is already in place need to be upgraded, but each teacher needs to do their part in keeping these kids up-to-date with technology so they are better prepared for these assessments.
When I first began my Master’s program, I felt pretty tech savy. As I moved along with this degree, I realized I still had much more to learn. I’m certain that’s the same way with my students. While they know a lot about computers, they still have a lot more to learn. The way that I have learned with this program; creating things hands-on, is one way that I need to do with my students. I need to spend more time with them in the computer lab implementing their skills and modifying them as I have had to do. When we build upon what we already know rather than starting over, it seems to take hold a little more. It did in my case anyhow and the small amount of work I have done with my math students has proven that to be the case also.
While preparing my students for online state testing is an important force that drives me at this time, I also have taken a look at how my students learn and used that as a motivator for them. It’s hard to do math with a pencil and paper every day for an hour and fifteen minutes and not get bogged down. I know that all of my students learn differently and need differentiated instruction. I also know that my students love technology. Many have made the remark that they love math because we have a SmartBoard (mine is the only regular ed room with one intact). On days when I tell them we’re going to the computer lab, they pipe up. They are so comfortable with technology that I feel they are more willing to engage in new tasks that are presented. They don’t care if they have to work on math. They are playing a game or creating a graph, or using thinking blocks to build story problems. The whole point is that they are working with technology and learning at the same time. Technology has played such an important role in these students’ lives already. By implementing it into the classroom and using for instructional purposes, these students are many steps ahead of where many others are.
Technology has played such a large role for me in completing my Master’s Degree, just as technology is playing a large role in the teaching of my students. I implement technology in many different forms for my students so that they may be able and more readily prepared for not only the job market, but also for continuing their own education. As an educator, I realize the importance of my own education. I will do whatever it takes to keep myself up to date so that I am able to best enhance the learning of my students. As long as I’m an educator, I will also be a learner.