I have to admit that compared to others in this Digital Learning and Leading program, I feel I’m a little behind the curve when it comes to technology, but I have made so much progress since I started a little over a year ago. When I first began, I knew how to use Microsoft Office products and had some experience with Prezi and Kahoot. That was about the extent of my experience. Since then, I have learned how to build an ePortfolio, create videos using different programs like iMovie and MovieMaker, I have developed a complete online version of my Radiography course, and I’ve learned about several tools that can be used in education such as Aurasma, Quizizz, Socrative, digital badges, and many others. I conducted a “blind Kahoot” in one of my classes that really helped my students understand a difficult topic in Radiography. Here is a video about how to make a blind Kahoot:
Knowing about these new tools and experimenting with them has given me a newfound confidence as a teacher. Trying them out in the classroom has been fun and exciting, and has breathed new life into my courses. Students tell me they look forward to my classes, so I must be doing something right! I feel less intimidated by technology and much more willing to implement new technology as it becomes available. In fact, my students see me as a technology leader already. Check out the award they gave me at their pinning ceremony: “Most Likely to be the Kahoot Queen”!
At this point in my journey, I feel like I am consuming a lot from edWeb and the resources provided in my Master’s program, but on the other hand, I am sharing my knowledge with my students and other faculty. I’ve developed projects for my students that incorporate technology, teaching them to branch out of their comfort zones to learn new ways to present their ideas and showcase their new knowledge in creative ways. As other teachers see what I’m doing in my classes, they ask about programs I’m using and I share with them. I’m growing to the point where I think the scales can start to tip more in the direction of being a contributor rather than simply a consumer. After I publish my first article (which I’m really dreading right now!), I think I will feel much more confident in that role. The only way to grow, after all, is to push yourself out of your comfort zone. The M.Ed. in Digital Learning and Leading has definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I’m very grateful for that!
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