Personal Learning Goals

My personal learning goals for the course related to our five MRU B.Ed. program competencies...

1. Professional Responsibilities: Engages with colleagues in professional learning

In order to be proficient in this area of professional responsibility, I would like to seek out as many opportunities as possible for personal development and research on the topic of elementary education. I have already signed up for a webinar taking place on September 15th of this year that will provide me with information on how to navigate the COVID-19 situation in a school setting. I hope that this will help me to initiate conversations with my mentor teacher and others and allow me to contribute to important conversations that are taking place within the education profession. I plan to make use of these online seminars and familiarize myself with this kind of technology.

2. Planning for Learning: Analyzes resources and considers current issues to select appropriate teaching strategies and design relevant learning experiences

With the current pandemic, it is possible that learning may need to be conducted online. That being said, rather than planning for only in-person lessons, my goal is to find resources for the lessons that I plan that will work for both online and face-to-face lessons. In hopes becoming proficient in the area of planning for learning, I will consult with other peers, mentors, and teachers to find appropriate resources that adhere to school board and health and safety standards, but also fulfill a higher level of learning for the students.

3. Facilitating Learning: Integrates digital technology and resources, as appropriate, to build student capacity for: acquiring, applying and creating new knowledge, communicating and collaborating with others, critical-thinking, and accessing, interpreting and evaluating information from diverse sources

As of late, it has become very apparent just how important technology is. When it comes to the classroom, my goal is to use digital technology to promote inquiry-based learning and strike up curiosity within students, especially in science and social studies. In doing so, my goal is to promote the development of critical thinking skills and student capacity to access information.

4. Assessment: Reflects on assessment data with students and colleagues to support reasoned judgment about the evidence used to report the level of student learning

In previous situations, I have had the chance to use various assessment methods to inform my future practice. However, my goal is to become more familiar with these different assessment methods, such as self-assessment, in order to gain a more proficient understanding of how each student feels they are doing. I would like to become more in touch with how confident each student feels about their own skills on a particular topic in order to better support student learning.

5. Inclusive Environment: Creates a respectful and ethical learning community that encourages learners to take risks, build trust, embrace diversity, increase self-confidence, and show leadership

I have experienced a huge effort being put forth by previous mentor teachers to promote reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. My goal is to include culturally diverse material into my lessons as much as possible in hopes of normalizing diversity and allowing students to embrace their differences. In addition, I believe that excitement is contagious, so it is my hope that by showing my excitement and sensitivity surrounding peoples' differences, that students will be able to learn by example.

My previous educational technology experience...

At this point in my education, I have only been able to scrape the surface with technology experience. I have been able to use online search engines, Starfall.com, GoNoodle, as well as create video journals with students for Iris and self-assessment purposes. Additionally, resources like iPads have been an item that I often use and see students using in class to complete math, science, and literacy activities. On the topic of literacy, another resource that I was more recently introduced to was the phonics phone.

My “burning” question about the use of digital technologies in K to 9 education...

What kinds of resources and support are offered to teachers to ensure that we are able to stay on top of ever-evolving technology?

Why this question is important to me...

I want to make sure that I am able to stay up-to-date with technology. I do not want to be seen as less competent, especially by a student, because I do not know how to properly work some form of technology. Kids are quick. I want to be able to do my best to keep up and be bale to offer them the best support possible for their education.