Less than two years ago I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a Business Education degree. I knew that the majority of what I was going to be teaching would revolve around technology and that eventually the students were going to know more that I did. Well, I'm in my second year of teaching and that has already happened. I teach 6th-8th grade business education at a 1:1 Middle School. The 1:1 stands for 1 laptop for every 1 student. With this being said, my entire school revolves around technology. There are programs that the students use that I had never heard of until I started working there. On a daily basis, the students are showing me new things they figured out just by "messing" around. On a monthly basis, we have staff meetings where staff members showcase what they figured out just by "messing" around. I always knew technology would be a huge part of what I did as a teacher, but I never expected the students to be showing me how to navigate through software.
When I began thinking about what I wanted to do for a master's program, all I could think about was how technology is everywhere and we depend on it more than food sometimes. When I learned of the program at Cardinal Stritch I was thrilled. Not only was it going to meet my needs of wanting to keep up with technology, but also to give me the ability to help others keep up with technology. I'm looking forward to everything about this program. The names of classes intrigue me and I can't wait to see what I can bring back to my classroom. In the first week of class I was already thinking how I could use Google Docs and Blogs to enhance my teaching.
I love that fact that we can all meet together and still be in the confines of our home. I'm hoping that it will make working full time and going to school full time more easy. During our first class, I was amazed at how we all had different ideas to bring to the table. I never knew how convenient Google Docs was and I only wish I would've used it through my undergrad. It was great to learn how the small things can make a HUGE difference.
I have high hopes for the program and hope that it can bring me the "wow" factor that my students bring when they show me something new. I can't wait to enhance my teaching with all the new skills the program brings and to help my school maybe become a 2:1 school!
