Wrapping It Up (and It's Not Even a Gift...)

Around 20 months after it started, this looks to be the final post-for this blog.  Hard to believe, but the last class to attend has finished.  I have to tidy up some last minute stuff, but the journey for the Master's has come to an end.  Here are some musings about the journey...


It's Almost Impossible to Keep Up with Technology
I feel like I'm WAY ahead of the game in terms of being aware of the resources out there in the technological world.  However, even with all of the tips, tricks, and tools that I've obtained throughout the last 2 years, there is still so much more out there to learn about.  For as much as an expert as I feel I can be sometimes, I have to be humble enough to see myself as a novice sometimes as well, and not be afraid to ask for help.  I'll continue to try to use whatever new technologies exist, but there aren't enough hours in a day to thoroughly explore all of these new innovations that appear on a daily basis.


Public Education Isn't Ready for Technology
I say that not to spark any reaction, but for the reality that I don't think that our schools are ready to fully embrace the technology that exists.  I see hesitancy; whether it be on behalf of administration or staff, I just haven't gotten enough consistency to believe that technology is a priority.  That's a shame, because there's so much potential out there; there's just such a fear to leave comfort zones that I don't know when the shift will happen.  What worries me is the fact that we're teaching a generation that is essentially a technology generation.  We are not serving our students well if we're not on board with the technologies available today.

10 Years Makes a Difference
It's amazing how much has changed within the last decade.  I could even look at the last 2 years, and there's been a huge change.  I say that now because I know teaching will be different by 2020.  It constantly evolves, and I hope to continue to be someone who evolves with it.  What I do with the kids today might seem ancient a few years from now.  I have to start somewhere, though.  Using podcasts, digital stories, screencasts, movies, and the like could be building blocks to something much bigger down the road.


Collaboration is NO JOKE
The one thing I will say is that we did a TON of group work.  As for me, I learned a lot about myself.  For example, I really changed how I planned time.  I became more organized (all about using the iTouch calendar), and less cluttered.  Well, for the most part.  I also learned how to work with others.  You know, you teach  by yourself for 10 years, and you sometimes forget that.  I had two partners who had to deal with me and all my eccentricities (that's a polite way of putting it), and I learned to adjust my styles of working.  I tend to be a controller, and it was really hard stopping that.  I can't say that I've made huge improvements, but I've made attempts.  Having to do EIGHT MILLION collaborative projects helped with that.

You know, I could go on and on, but I've always been one who believed in "actions speak louder than words."  If you happen to come across my name somewhere in the future (hopefully not for illegal or negative reasons...), then you'll know that this wasn't just a class or a degree for me.  It was much more, and I intend to show that through my actions.

For all of my professors, advisors, and instructors:  Thank you for preparing me and giving me the support and tools needed to be a difference-maker.  I will not let you down.

To all of my partners:  Thanks for putting up with me.  I know it wasn't easy, but I hope I was as supportive of you as you were to me.

To my family:  Thanks for supporting and believing in me as I went through this journey.  I know it wasn't easy, but you were my inspiration throughout all of this.