1.     How have you grown in your applications of educational technology from the beginning of this course of study until your reflections preparing this culminating project?

When I first started my Masters Degree at Eastern Connecticut State University I was using basic technology tools in my work.  I used e-mail often to communicate with colleagues, I used Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access and I researched using the Internet to create lesson plans.  Over the past seven years I feel that my applications in technology have increased dramatically.  Most pointedly is my personal experience with taking over eight online courses while at college.  These classes have taught me a lot about my learning style, and have given me more opportunities for education.

As a result of my experience with taking online classes, I created an online class for my high school students utilizing eschool builder.  I uploaded curriculum, had threaded discussions that were well attended, offered a chat room session on a monthly basis and also had assessments available through the online class.  I found that this not only kept the students more engaged in their participation in the topic area (students were commenting on each other’s threaded discussions outside of the requirements), but I was better able to organize my class. I have continued to align myself with grant opportunities that allow for students to participate in online learning, and at this I am beginning a pilot project with Metrix and Skillport for students to be trained after school and begin taking online classes related to their career interests.  I have twenty students that have volunteered to be part of this program.

One of my classes through my masters Degree required that I create a research project.  As a result, I learned how to create a comprehensive wiki space that I can utilize in my work setting.  I now have two wiki spaces and I am a member of four others with an educational focus.  The wiki space that I created focuses on challenging issues facing secondary schools today.  It has many links to career and technical Web sites and interdisciplinary and standards based lesson plans that teachers can utilize.  It is collaborative in nature, one of my favorite aspects of educational technology.

I have been experimenting with Building Homes of Our Own, a virtual learning community, to reinforce pre-engineering, environmental, business and construction concepts with students that are working in our summer program building sheds, picnic tables and other items needed in the community.  In addition I have created several Web Quests for the classes I have taken in my Masters program, and have been able to expand on those experiences to create them in my lesson plans for work.

I have also used technology in pursuing professional development opportunities.  I have taken part in webinars; have been trained to use Bridge-It and SMART Board and as previously mentioned wiki spaces.  I use PowerPoint more extensively now in reaching out to the community and feel more versed in using data projectors.  In addition, I use a state wide reporting system to manage my caseload of students, and am able to operate my program with more efficiency.

Overall, my technical experience has increased over the course of obtaining my Master’s Degree.  The exciting aspect of technology is that there is always something new to learn and use.  I have aligned myself with colleagues who also have keen interests in technology and together we share ideas, resources and products.  I feel that it has opened doors for me educationally and now, with this experience, I am better able to implement it with my students.