Going into this class, I was apprehensive about my technology abilities because I felt inadequate when I got into anything beyond the basics. This class turned out to be a huge positive. It was fun, I learned a great deal and, best of all, I now feel less intimidated by educational technology!
Because of this course, I am much more excited and interested in incorporating technology into my work with adult ESL, and I definitely plan to use the curricular integration project I created in the future. I learned many strategies and tools that are easily accessible, will challenge my students, and will make lessons more fun and interesting. I'm hoping that with these new programs and an increased enthusiasm for learning, student retention rates will improve.
When I taught adult ESL last semester, I didn't try to use technology often because it was difficult to log in my students to the computers, and also because I was unaware of how to incorporate and manage computer programs and electronic resources. Additionally, besides the teaching I did in Ecuador as a Peace Corps volunteer, last semester was my first time working as a formal teacher, so I tried to stick to the material I was comfortable with. Now that I have more experience, resources, and education from the TESOL master's program, and I am no longer a brand new teacher, I am ready to try new things and take risks in my classroom.
In the coming semester, due to the changes being made with Holland Public School's adult ESL program, I will probably not be hired back as a long-term substitute (I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to teach last semester). Because I do not have my teaching certificate, but will eventually have a TESOL master's degree, I plan on focusing my efforts toward the community college/university level. Many higher education institutions have ESL programs, including Ferris State University in Big Rapids, where I hope to do my practicum this fall. I hope to incorporate the educational technology skills I have learned into my teaching at Ferris and, fingers crossed, maybe this will somehow lead to a teaching position down the road.
I don't have any outstanding issues or questions because I think those will come when I actually use these programs in the classroom. Like I said, I haven't had a lot of formal teaching experience, so I'm sure to run into difficulties, but I at least now feel more comfortable, curiosity, and motivated to incorporate these new skills, even though I know I will eventually run into problems.
Thank you, Sean, for this class! Honestly, there have been various classes I have taken where I think, gosh, I can't believe I'm paying so much money and I don't feel like I'm learning much of anything that actually has a purpose in my life or career. This course has not evoked those thoughts. Because of EDT 619 I now have a large database of applicable ideas and resources to use in my future classrooms and, because of what I have learned, I am confident that I will become a better teacher! YAY!
I enjoyed having you in class, Joy. I know you don't have the educational background or credentials that you'd probably need to get a teaching job more easily, but you're quietly building a nice resume for teaching adult ELL and the practicum will help. I certainly hope you find a position that maximizes your skills and I hope you are able to have access to some technologies that make your teaching and your student's learning more efficient and effective. Good luck!
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