Do You Understand?
by: ADAM FRENCH
To learn or to understand? I would be lying if I knew the true difference between these two before I enrolled in the MAET program or was handed my diploma from my undergrad. The summer of 2009 in East Lansing where we began looking at the theory of integrating technology is where I did learn the difference. It seems very trivial and for the most part obvious but never put into practice or considered in the education system. I now know that learning allows you to answer things you already know and be star on jeopardy, whereas understanding allows you answer questions you didn’t know. This happened to be one of those revelations or ah-ha moments which I had always heard about. Since then on my attitude toward teaching has changed.
The first day of school I facilitate a discussion centered on learning and understanding in hopes for them to see the true meaning of science discovery. This philosophy has shaped my lessons as well my role in the classroom, from being a facilitator instead of an instructor. More importantly it’s not about the content it's how students utilize the content and make sense of it. That is where technology steps in.
It is obvious that technology constantly shaping society and now more importantly than ever being able to utilize the tools and resources available to engage students in developing an understanding mindset is a necessity. My journey through the MAET program has given me the skills and the confidence to make this leap in my teaching. The program has taught me how to incorporate technology that fosters engagement which I can use to build this understanding mindset in my students. My future educational plans haven’t been written yet. What plans I do have are going forth with the knowledge and skills I have obtained in this program to help on my path to producing an understanding centered curriculum. I have begun to generate new curriculum that transcends not only the technology as well as the ever changing student. At first I thought this would be difficult but the MAET program has shown me is how to take advantage of my resources, especially your students.
Giving projects that allows for autonomy has produced work students are excited to share as well as exposing me to new programs. What I think is important to realize, is that influential learning doesn’t have to come from a college instructor or professor but can come from your students. My student’s have exposed to more technology through my tech incorporated curriculum than I have on my own. Getting over that fear of giving over control to the students was something I glad to have taken away from my masters program. I hope to keep learning from them in future.
Through the MAET program I have gained confidence in myself toward technology where I feel I ready to be involved in the technology team at my school. The current head of this team at our school happens to share many of the same ideas and a MAET graduate degree. Many of the students I feel are ill prepared and have larger learning curves than many of their peers when it comes to technology usage so being able to change the attitude toward technology in my colleagues to start implementing more integration could be done through involvement in technology team. Being involved in the program will help me stay current (if that’s possible) in technology.
The first day of school I facilitate a discussion centered on learning and understanding in hopes for them to see the true meaning of science discovery. This philosophy has shaped my lessons as well my role in the classroom, from being a facilitator instead of an instructor. More importantly it’s not about the content it's how students utilize the content and make sense of it. That is where technology steps in.
It is obvious that technology constantly shaping society and now more importantly than ever being able to utilize the tools and resources available to engage students in developing an understanding mindset is a necessity. My journey through the MAET program has given me the skills and the confidence to make this leap in my teaching. The program has taught me how to incorporate technology that fosters engagement which I can use to build this understanding mindset in my students. My future educational plans haven’t been written yet. What plans I do have are going forth with the knowledge and skills I have obtained in this program to help on my path to producing an understanding centered curriculum. I have begun to generate new curriculum that transcends not only the technology as well as the ever changing student. At first I thought this would be difficult but the MAET program has shown me is how to take advantage of my resources, especially your students.
Giving projects that allows for autonomy has produced work students are excited to share as well as exposing me to new programs. What I think is important to realize, is that influential learning doesn’t have to come from a college instructor or professor but can come from your students. My student’s have exposed to more technology through my tech incorporated curriculum than I have on my own. Getting over that fear of giving over control to the students was something I glad to have taken away from my masters program. I hope to keep learning from them in future.
Through the MAET program I have gained confidence in myself toward technology where I feel I ready to be involved in the technology team at my school. The current head of this team at our school happens to share many of the same ideas and a MAET graduate degree. Many of the students I feel are ill prepared and have larger learning curves than many of their peers when it comes to technology usage so being able to change the attitude toward technology in my colleagues to start implementing more integration could be done through involvement in technology team. Being involved in the program will help me stay current (if that’s possible) in technology.
