Thank you for allowing me to be part of this great University! I completed my bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Texas at Brownsville, 2007. I have spent the last 17 years in Education where I have worked as a Reading Interventionist, Bilingual Teacher, Instructional Coach, Assistant Lead Teacher and currently a classroom teacher. I have a great passion for education and am looking forward to expand my knowledge in Educational Technology! I started my educational career as a Reading Interventionist in the same Elementary school where I completed my student teaching. I worked with Tier III students in small groups and focused on phonics and phonemic awareness skills. After 2 years I transitioned into the classroom as a Bilingual Teacher where I gained so much experience teaching state assessment skills and strategies. I have mentored several teachers and was part of the UTRGV Clinical Teaching program where I was nominated for the Distinguished Clinician Award. This experience encouraged me to become an Instructional Coach and work with not only students but teachers as well. I enjoyed being part of the planning process and coaching teachers to achieve their goals. However, it was in my last position as an Assistant lead teacher that I became interested in Educational Technology. It was here where I learned how to create online courses and curriculum using an learning management system. This intrigued me to continue to learn more and seek my master’s degree in educational technology.
I had the pleasure of having such amazing professor that helped me ease into the program and prepare me for the upcoming courses. They set the bar for what good quality online instruction is and I have been following their lead since. I remember how terrified I was to begin. I always knew that I wanted to return to school but wasn’t sure what to study or where to begin. Having such great and supportive professors helped me continue and push through even when I didn’t think I was going to make it. This program was recommended to me by two of colleagues and now it is me that will recommending it to others. Why? Well because there is so much power in learning and so much more value in investing in a innovative degree that is preparing us for the future in Education. During my coursework I have been able to learn and apply new technology skills that will help me become more competitive in the workforce. I have created and participated in several projects that have allowed me to apply the pedagogy methods and skills I acquired throughout my coursework. In EDTC 6320, I worked collaboratively to design a proposal intended to help the client deliver information to prospective students who are curious about the Educational Technology program for advanced higher education. This proposal served to answer frequently asked questions that the client receives and provide an in-depth look at what it means to be an Educational Technologist. In project 2, EDTC 6321. I learned about the ADDIE Model and used it to create an instructional design broken up into four instructional units. My plan was designed to help the immigrant students complete an initial assessment that is given to them upon arrival to the center. In EDTC 6323, I concentrated on the development and utilization of hypermedia and multimedia in education. I demonstrated the ability to develop interactive instruction using audiovisual and computer/web-based technologies in a meaningful educational context through several projects that included a Talking Head video, Storyboard and Creating a Multimedia-rich RLO. The most interesting one to me was learning how to create and E-Learning Module in EDTC 6325. This allowed me to design a full online course that I developed specifically for my students. I learned how to use a research-based rationale for the selection and utilization of technologies for designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating instruction using an open-source courseware management system. I was able to explore the potential of 3-D virtual environments for instructional applications using Canvas. I designed a proposal for my project and included an E-learning syllabus. Each lesson was broken up into different modules that included interactive activities and topics. I applied Mayer’s 12 Principles of Multimedia Learning. In my EDTC 6332 course I applied the knowledge and theory from previous courses toward the solution of an actual instructional/training problem in a real-world context. This practicum project consisted of four parts: (1) Project Proposal, (2) Design Plan, (3) Instructional Solution, and (4) Evaluation and Revision. I chose to design a plan for my campus which needed a plan for communication. After much thought, I decided to create a training for our campus to begin to use MS TEAMS as our method of communication. After designing my project using the ADDIE design, I was able to carry out this training to our staff and are now using MS TEAMS exclusively. The final artifact for my program of study is my e-portfolio. It has been created to organize all my projects and coursework throughout my journey. I hope to use my e-portfolio to seek new employment opportunities and future endeavors.
Over the course of my educational journey in the field of educational technology, I have acquired a wealth of experiences and valuable insights that have shaped my understanding of this dynamic and ever-evolving field. These lessons have not only deepened my knowledge but have also equipped me with practical wisdom that I believe can benefit others pursuing a similar path. Here are some valuable lessons I've learned:
Educational technology is constantly evolving. What is cutting-edge today might be obsolete tomorrow. Therefore, it's essential to embrace adaptability. Always be open to learning new tools, techniques, and methodologies. The ability to adapt quickly is a valuable skill in this field.
Pedagogy First, Technology Second: It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of new technologies, but it's crucial to remember that the focus should always be on pedagogy – the art and science of teaching. Technology should enhance and support educational goals, not replace them. Start with clear learning objectives and then choose the appropriate technology to achieve them.
User-Centered Design: Designing educational experiences that are user-friendly and accessible is paramount. Think about the end-users – students, teachers, and administrators – and their needs and preferences. Conduct user testing and feedback cycles to refine your digital tools and platforms continually.
Data-Driven Decision-Making: Educational technology generates vast amounts of data. Learn to harness this data effectively to inform your decisions. Analyzing data can help identify areas of improvement, personalize learning experiences, and measure the effectiveness of your educational technology solutions.
Collaboration is Crucial: The field of educational technology thrives on collaboration. Engage with educators, instructional designers, technologists, and other stakeholders. Collaborative projects often yield innovative solutions and valuable networking opportunities.
Ethical Considerations: As technology becomes increasingly integrated into education, ethical concerns become more significant. Be mindful of privacy, security, and equity issues. Consider the ethical implications of your work and strive to create inclusive, safe, and ethical digital learning environments.
Continuous Professional Development: Educational technology is a rapidly changing field, and it's essential to stay updated. Invest in your professional development through courses, conferences, webinars, and reading relevant literature. Building a personal learning network can be incredibly valuable.
Advice for Others:
Start with a Strong Foundation: Begin your journey in educational technology with a solid understanding of educational theory and practice. This knowledge will provide you with a strong foundation upon which to build your technical skills.
Embrace Lifelong Learning: Commit to continuous learning. The technology landscape is ever-changing, and staying relevant requires dedication to acquiring new knowledge and skills throughout your career.
Network and Collaborate: Connect with professionals in the field. Attend conferences, join online communities, and engage in collaborative projects. The insights and support you gain from your network can be invaluable. If you don’t know where to start, just start small.
Don’t give up: There will come times when you are ready to throw in the towel. When this happens, close your computer and do something that makes you happy. Remember, tomorrow is another day and another day for you to “try again.”
In conclusion, the journey through educational technology courses offers a wealth of knowledge and experiences that can shape a fulfilling and impactful career. Embrace these lessons and advice to navigate this exciting and ever-evolving field effectively, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of education for generations to come.
My future goals and vision in the field of Ed. Tech are driven by a deep passion for reshaping the way we learn and teach, making education more accessible, engaging, and effective for all. Firstly, I aspire to play a pivotal role in advancing the integration of cutting-edge technology into education particularly in Early Education. My goal is to develop innovative digital tools and platforms that facilitate personalized learning experiences for all students. These tools will adapt to the unique needs and learning styles of each student, fostering a more inclusive and equal educational landscape. By understanding the power of artificial intelligence and data analytics, I envision creating systems that not only track individual progress but also provide real-time insights to educators, enabling them to tailor their teaching methods effectively. My vision is to bridge the gap between traditional and digital education, making learning a dynamic and adaptive journey for powerful student success.
Secondly, I aim to address the digital divide in education that we are currently facing. In an evolving digital world, it's imperative to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have equal accessible educational technology. I plan to work on initiatives that provide affordable and accessible devices and internet connectivity to impoverished communities and schools. Additionally, I plan collaborating with educators to design low-bandwidth, mobile-friendly educational content that can be easily accessed on a wide range of devices. My ultimate goal is to contribute to a more inclusive educational ecosystem where no student is left behind due to the lack of access to technology.
Lastly, I see myself as a lifelong learner and advocate for ethical and responsible use of technology in education. My vision is to promote digital literacy and responsible digital citizenship among students and educators. I want to develop programs that empower individuals to navigate the digital landscape safely, critically evaluate online information, and use technology as a tool for positive social change. By fostering a culture of responsible technology use, I believe we can mitigate the potential pitfalls and ethical challenges that come with the rapid advancement of educational technology.
In summary, my future goals in Educational Technology revolve around innovation, inclusivity, and responsible use of technology. I aim to create personalized learning solutions, address the digital divide, and promote digital literacy to make education more effective, equitable, and ethical. By pursuing these goals, I hope to contribute to a brighter and more accessible future for learners and educators worldwide.