Technology is a constant in everyday life, including in education. The MSET program helped shape my thoughts regarding effective technology implementation in the classroom. The aspects of my teaching philosophy center around inclusivity, intentionality, and continuous learning.
Inclusivity
To be inclusive is to allow access to all students to the same information or knowledge. Technology gives me (the teacher) the ability to include all students in the classroom. When I made the shift from being a special education teacher to a general education teacher, I realized how difficult it was for students with diverse learning needs to keep up in my class. I utilized skills from my years of teaching in a special education classroom with the technology accommodations I learned about in the MSET program to allow all of my students an equal playing field. I started integrating instructional design techniques as well as video editing skills to compose QR codes to videos that allowed students at lower academic levels access to the same academic content as their peers. Allowing equal access to these QR codes in my classroom also created an environment where all students had access to the accommodation, therefore lessening the stigma around using accommodations.
Intentionality
As an educator, I believe that activities in my classroom need to be intentional. The world of technology is rapidly growing. With rapid growth comes an array of fads. It is easy to get lost in all of the possibilities of technology integration and the fads associated with it. However, if the technology does not have an intentional use it has no value in the classroom- fad or not. Technology needs a purpose that is geared towards the continual growth of learners. There needs to be a link between the technology and the academic objectives being taught in the classroom for it to be integrated effectively. It does not matter if it is trending online or has high reviews. Without an intentional purpose, technology is ineffective in the classroom.
Continuous Learning
I believe that to be an effective educator, I need to be a continuous learner. This idea coincides with the key theme of innovation as well. Technology is constantly growing and changing. If I do not allow myself the flexibility to continuously learn to keep up with these changes, I will not be able to teach. As an educator, I want my students to be committed to being lifelong learners. The only way that I can encourage this is to do it myself. Throughout my time in the MSET program, I have made it part of my identity with my students. When we discuss Habits of Mind or other SEL (Social Emotional Learning) skills in class, such as persistence, I share my journey as a student. This allows my students to see that I am also a learner, like them. I am a firm believer that no one is perfect, nor will anyone ever attain perfection. However, we all can choose to work to become better each day. Continuous learning is not about perfection; it is about seeking more knowledge to become better than the day before.