Goal Setting

Prior to my goal setting meeting, I was charged with the task of choosing a SMART goal for my professional development this year. I knew I wanted the focus to be related to technology, but I was not really sure exactly what I wanted to get out of it. Up to this point, I have always been open to new programs or applications--such as Prezi, Moodle, Dyknow...However, I (felt) feel like it is just more "stuff" to do rather than it enhancing learning or guiding me to be a higher performing teacher.

So, I challenged myself last year to join our technology team in the planning stages of introducing a 1:1 classroom environment. I read the assigned readings and "how to" course book looking for ideas and methods of how to use technology in the classroom. However, the message that kept coming up over and over again was that our school needed more support in the IT area--nothing was about teacher implementation regarding pedagogy. Where was the teacher in all of this? Where was I in all of this?

I will be the first to admit that I hate technology in the ways of stores, cables, gadgets and hardware; I will always leave that up to the IT department. I am also not willing to be beholden to technology: I do not need to live by my phone, Facebook page (more on that later), or my i-whatever. I also do not have any interest in searching the Web just to search and find new things unless I have a specific purpose. And...I am a people-person. I value authenticity and face-to-face time.The conundrum then is why am I so interested in technology in education?

For starters, I like how it challenges me and makes me think.
     I see the duality in it--creative space in which to learn--or--a passive experience
           I have to admit that I am wowed easily by what students are capable of
                It impacts attitudes toward learning
                      It keeps advancing ideas
                           Streamlines responsibilities
                                Empowerment (at least when the internet is not down)
I will then commit to this goal of using technology in the classroom because of the reasons why I like it--not why I don't.