The Blog!

Introduction: I accomplished a lifelong career goal twenty-one years ago when I entered the educational world with a brand new Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education specializing in English. I completed another educational career goal when I completed my Gifted and Talented Endorsement in 2001. I currently teach sixth grade Social Studies as well as fifth and sixth grade gifted and talented students. When I first began teaching, computers were not found in the classroom. Technology in a classroom consisted of a tape recorder, overhead projector and a 16mm projector that a teacher could check out and use when showing a film to students. Copies were made on memograph machines which resulted in teachers having purple hands at the end of the day from "running" off papers for classwork.

Purpose and Expectations: I am now striving to accomplish another educational career goal by completing a MLS degree from Texas A & M - Commerce. My purpose for taking ETEC 524,is because it is a a course requirement for the library degree I am seeking. I expect this class to help me reach my current career goal by enhancing my knowledge for utilizing available technology for improvement of my personal skills and for educational purposes. I look forward to learning more about blogs as well as desktop publishing, innteractive powerpoints, Wikis and podcasts.

Vision and Goals: I currently use powerpoints, virtual streaming, and video in my classroom for educational purposes. I want to learn how to do a webpage and possibly a WebQuest. I want to learn how to utilize other modern technology for use in my classroom to enhance student learning. As mentioned earlier, I have seen many changes in educational technology during my career. Unfortunately there is much available that I am unaware of so I look forward to learning new and innovative ways to utilize and enhance educational technology in my classroom and personal life. I hope that I will get more hooked on technology as I progress through ETEC 524 and not be as intimidated by it as I am at times. For example, I have a new cell phone. Needless to say some forms of technology can be a real challenge. Although I have a limited knowledge of technology, I am willing to help fellow students with powerpoints and publisher.

Educational Technology Definition: Educational Technology is defined as” the creative application of man, machines, and materials to solving instructional problems" (Schmidt and Rieck 2000, 6). In a nutshell, I have had a wonderful career as a classroom teacher and wish to expand that experience in the education world as a Media Specialist. I believe this class will help me improve my technology skills and enable me to reach my current and future goals as I continue to strive to be a great educator and some day a Media Specialist working in a technology centered library.


Educational Technology Philosophy: According to Wikipedia, Educational technology is an area of study and practice within the fields of psychology and/or education. I believe that children need to feel secure and safe to learn best. They should be treated as individuals with different learning styles that deserve a flexible educational environment. They should be guided by an educator utilizing many different methods of teaching and not made to fit into a specific learning mold. Children should be empowered with a great self-image and taught to think using the tools of learning through integrated subjects and integrated teaching methods.


Education Quote: "An education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you know and what you don’t.” Anatole France