The ITEC Master's program provided me an opportunity for professional growth. It has furthered by education in a field relevant to my teaching career. It has introduced me to available technologies for use in the classroom and alerted me to current issues and trends regarding educational technologies. I gained ideas and strategies to help integrate technology into my mathematics classes and I was able to communicate with other educators about their experiences using educational technologies.
I have gained valuable knowledge from each of the classes. For example, Designing Visuals for Instruction introduced me to basic functions and features of Adobe Photoshop Elements and taught me how to use it to enhance visuals. The course assignments, which included a series of design problems, a design critique, and a design portfolio, allowed me to create unique and dynamic visuals. Instructional Applications of the Internet introduced me to new ways to integrate technology into my mathematics classes, such as creating a podcast, webquest, wiki, discussion boards, blogs, instructional website, and taught me how to use a course management system to enhance student learning. Learning Theories introduced me to basic principles of behavioral, social, and constructivist learning theories. In addition, I have a better understanding of the use of learning theory in education and instruction. Instructional Design introduced me to various systematic instructional design models including the ADDIE model and ARCS model of motivational design that facilitate designing effective instruction. The course allowed me to follow a standard ID model in order to go through the entire process to develop a Calculus instructional unit. Virtual Reality introduced me to new technologies such as Second Life (3D virtual world), Active Worlds EDU (3D virtual world), and Alice (programming software to create 3D interactive virtual worlds). I gained valuable knowledge regarding how virtual software can enhance secondary education. Researching Current Issues in Instructional Technology allowed me to explore and analyze relevant and timely topics such as how technology can facilitate constructivist units, whether schools should replace textbooks with computers, the role of Fair Use with copyrighted materials, the benefits of synchronous and asynchronous learning with distance education, and the possibilities of virtual reality in education.
Obtaining my Master's Degree in Instructional Technology has been a rewarding and worth while experience; I would highly recommend the program as the classes are applicable to teachers of any discipline and the program provides countless resources and support to enhance instruction. Although not every topic may be applicable to secondary mathematics education, I still found each assignment to be interesting, mentally stimulating, educational, and/or informative. Furthermore, the ITEC Master's program creates the possibility for me to join the Hawken Technology Department as an Instructional Technologist in the future.
I have gained valuable knowledge from each of the classes. For example, Designing Visuals for Instruction introduced me to basic functions and features of Adobe Photoshop Elements and taught me how to use it to enhance visuals. The course assignments, which included a series of design problems, a design critique, and a design portfolio, allowed me to create unique and dynamic visuals. Instructional Applications of the Internet introduced me to new ways to integrate technology into my mathematics classes, such as creating a podcast, webquest, wiki, discussion boards, blogs, instructional website, and taught me how to use a course management system to enhance student learning. Learning Theories introduced me to basic principles of behavioral, social, and constructivist learning theories. In addition, I have a better understanding of the use of learning theory in education and instruction. Instructional Design introduced me to various systematic instructional design models including the ADDIE model and ARCS model of motivational design that facilitate designing effective instruction. The course allowed me to follow a standard ID model in order to go through the entire process to develop a Calculus instructional unit. Virtual Reality introduced me to new technologies such as Second Life (3D virtual world), Active Worlds EDU (3D virtual world), and Alice (programming software to create 3D interactive virtual worlds). I gained valuable knowledge regarding how virtual software can enhance secondary education. Researching Current Issues in Instructional Technology allowed me to explore and analyze relevant and timely topics such as how technology can facilitate constructivist units, whether schools should replace textbooks with computers, the role of Fair Use with copyrighted materials, the benefits of synchronous and asynchronous learning with distance education, and the possibilities of virtual reality in education.
Obtaining my Master's Degree in Instructional Technology has been a rewarding and worth while experience; I would highly recommend the program as the classes are applicable to teachers of any discipline and the program provides countless resources and support to enhance instruction. Although not every topic may be applicable to secondary mathematics education, I still found each assignment to be interesting, mentally stimulating, educational, and/or informative. Furthermore, the ITEC Master's program creates the possibility for me to join the Hawken Technology Department as an Instructional Technologist in the future.