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Reflections My view of technology has somewhat changed over the course of the MSET program. I have been a big proponent of utilizing technology as much as possible in the schools since the early 1990s. I have seen how it can be an excellent teaching/learning tool for all involved. I do remember in the early 1990s, how the industrial arts community decided to embark on a more rigorous curriculum based on math and science. They called the program Technology Education. The curriculum was based on applying new technologies to teaching as well as the pedagogy of practical applications for the new advances in technology as well as fostering critical thinking skills, problem solving and the blending of traditional industrial arts with the new technologies. With that being said, MSET has opened my eyes to the fact that there are several new ways of utilizing the existing technologies and there are even more out there that are being developed and applied to education than ever before. Just participating in the program with a predominately online delivery system has been a great yet challenging experience. I have found that for me a combination face to face and online works very well. The face to face seems to make me more accountable, but the flexibility of the online courses made it much easier to complete lessons at times when I am more able to rather than having the constraints of a set time and or place. I will say that I enjoyed the experiences equally as well and the experience has made me evaluate my learning style and time management skills. I feel I will be a better educator because of the MSET experience as I have had a refresher course on what the students are going though every day and from the concepts I have learned along the way. In regards to technology that is being utilized by the education sector, I believe we in South Dakota have done a very commendable job of getting our schools wired, making programs such as the 1 to 1 computing program available and just generally encouraging districts to emphasize technology as the teaching tool that it is. It is not the catch all answer to our educational needs, but it should be recognized as a tool that when implemented correctly can certainly enhance the learning process and engage the students more so than ever before. The mere experience of using the technology at school is invaluable as it encourages students to go beyond what they are using at home or it gives them opportunities they may not have at home. I thought it was also a great inspiration that educators involved with the program that have been in the system for years have implemented technology in a seamless fashion into their own programs. This indicates lifelong learning is still taking place and technology implementation is not just for the younger tech savvy set, but for all who are interested in making the education experience as rewarding and useful as possible. Finally, believe that what I have learned in this program will help me be a better instructor as I will be more cognizant of some of the other issues that are involved with technology and education such as delivery systems that best fit a particular situation and more focus on assessments and evaluation practices. I believe the students are fully ready and capable of embracing many of the new technologies and the idea of how technology can be applied to help them be better students and better technology consumers. Actually, the students do an excellent job of the assimilating the educational changes that have taken place over the last decade or so. They should, as change is the hallmark of their generation and the most successful students will be those that are able to apply what they’ve learned and to solve real world problems.
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