Transformational Thinking
By Kris Knickerbocker
(Goals first written and submitted on March 27th, 2009)
(Goals first written and submitted on March 27th, 2009)
Complete my Master's degree in a subject that is applicable to education, and readily translates into the science curriculum.
_This goal seems somewhat vague
at first glance, but is actually quite telling of my personal mindset.
It was incredibly important to me to earn my degree. I am one of six
children in my family: all of my siblings are successful professionals
in their chosen career fields. However, only 1 sibling holds a Master’s
degree and I wanted that personal accomplishment under my belt as
well. I absolutely yearn for accomplishment and self-approval, moreso
than any external confirmation. This was my shot, all on my own, to
earn a degree that not only represented a huge amount of time and
energy, but also gave me new teaching tools. In the past 2+ years I’ve
moved into a new home, helped my closest sister through intensive breast
cancer treatments, adjusted to new ELHS administrators, and joined
several groups dedicated to fostering diversity in the community.
Through all of this, my first goal remains unchanged and, if anything,
is more true today than it was over 2 years ago.
Explore a meaningful and current field of educational development that is immediately useful in the classroom.
_Technology has always been
fascinating to me and I wanted to overcome the uncertainty and fear of
failure that comes with ignorance. It was important to me to educate
myself in what I considered to be a steep slope of change in education.
Science is not a subject that sits behind while others move forward,
and I wanted to be on the leading edge of those learning tools. This is
an interesting goal because, while it is definitely still true today, I
realize now that there is no true “master” of technology. The moment
you stop learning, you are left behind. This will be a lifelong journey
for me and one that I will travel with excitement and tenacity.
Gain experience with web applications, Internet research and web-based learning.
_I have most certainly met this
goal and I take pride in that. However, I have come to realize that
experience, while intrinsically valuable, is an insufficient goal.
Experience in a constantly shifting field is immediately obsolete!
Ouch, that’s a tough realization. And yet, it opens the doors to
endless opportunities for new growth. Here’s to ongoing learning.
_Gain a more in-depth knowledge of user software such as Excel and Word, as these are commonly used for data compilations and analysis in the classroom.
_I feel a blush of embarrassment
at the simplicity of this goal. At the same time, however, I recognize
that I have yet to accomplish this goal. I am more than proficient
with Microsoft Office. However, I am regularly frustrated when I get
bogged-down in Word’s bulleting/numbering glitches or Excel’s
superscript/subscript functionality. While PowerPoint was a focal point
of my first set of Master’s classes, the other members of the Office
family are rarely addressed in the Master’s program. This goal not only
stands, but is now my pet project. I foresee an advanced Microsoft
Office PD course in my future.
Correlate science curriculum and technology with Michigan HSCE’s.
I laugh a little at my own expense because the HSCE’s are quickly becoming extinct. With new political figures come new educational standards. (I will resist the temptation to launch into an editorial on recent changes in the field of education). However, the goal is easily translated. Technology standards are tightly entwined with science content standards. Proficient and effective teachers skillfully weave these requirements together in the classroom experience. Technology and science content need not stand separate from one another. Teaching them separately is clunky and disjointed. Science begs for the integration of technology. It makes conceptual learning easier by giving students options and choices. There is no longer one method of delivery – there are countless. This is, perhaps, the most transformational goal of them all. Become a better teacher by offering students countless ways to learn the same thing. Beautiful.
I started this reflection in an effort to discuss the ways in which my goals have changed and morphed over the past few years. Instead it’s clear to me that, while these goals have essentially remained the same, my own understanding of them have evolved. I have a clearer vision of what technology is, how it can be used, and the endless learning it requires. And, surprisingly, this is the most exciting revelation of them all.