Technology is changing the world of education. And while education is changing, so is that technology. There is always and advancement or enhancement being made. Students are becoming more technologically savvy each year and their futures will involve technology. This is what drove me to the Masters of Educational Technology (MAET) program at Michigan State University. There is a tremendous drive to bring technology into the classroom and incorporate it into instruction. I am only in my eighth year of teaching and I intend to have many more. To continue working in the field of education, I need to follow the trends in education. As I envision the future of education, I don’t see a future that does not include technology.

When I first started the MAET program my main goal was to use technology more effectively in my classroom. I wanted to “work smarter, not harder.” At the time I envisioned this and using technology to make my job a little easier and teach my students some new skills at the same time to make their lives a little easier and help them to be more successful as they moved forward in school. Some of these sentiments are still true, but it has a deeper meaning now. My vision of using technology effectively in the classroom has been altered thanks to my coursework and experiences in the MAET program.

As I completed my first couple of courses in the MAET program I could see that my goals were only scratching the surface of the potential for bringing technology into the classroom. Technology in the classroom is about changing the instructional process to better engage the students. I have learned how to utilize technology to create a more engaging environment for my diverse learners. Technology affords the students the opportunity to really take ownership of their learning. This brings the “work smarter, not harder” thought back into reality. I have learned through the MAET program that technology can help me to create opportunities where my students are learning independently and I am in more of a facilitator role. This creates a more authentic learning experience for my students. This is part of my vision for working smarter.

As I have completed each class at Michigan State a benefit I did not see coming is sharing what I have learned with my coworkers. This is the point in which my goal has changed the most. I do not see myself leaving the classroom for an administrative role, but I now want to be an instructional technology leader in my school and district. I have enjoyed enhancing the instruction of others and I hope to continue. I do not see this being in an official capacity, but I hope to present my classroom successes and approaches at our school staff meeting and district provided professional development.  I envision myself being a great resource and eventual mentor for new teachers. This will allow me to have an impact on even more students and expand my reach into many different classrooms. Which is, after all, why I started teaching in the first place.