How You Doin'?: EDU 777 Reflection #1

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Hi blog! Long time, no speak. Since my last post in May of 2022, I have moved into a new home, started a new job, and continued on my journey to earning my Master of Arts in Education. There are lots of personal things to reflect on, but today, I am choosing to reflect on my progress thus far on my final project for my final class in grad school. 

In EDU 777, Learning Theories and Instructional Designs, we are tasked with creating a proposal that addresses utilizing technology in your school or classroom to enhance learning for students and teachers. For my project, I am focusing on creating a proposal to integrate STEM lessons into the current math and science curriculums currently being taught in my school. Overall, I feel like this process has been challenging because I am forced to look at my school through a critical lens. When first starting this project, I struggled with the brainstorming component because I thought that my school was set with technology; every student has their own device, every teacher has their own laptop and iPad, classrooms are equipped with Apple TV, projectors, and document cameras, students and teachers have access to digital curriculum, and the list can go on and on. Because my school and district does provide lots of opportunity for students and teachers to use technology while engaging in every day learning, this challenged me to think beyond what is already being done and consider how our quality of education could be increased if we took our existing technology and found a way to use it as an opportunity for enrichment. Thinking of enrichment led me to think of increasing chances for hands on activities in math and science, which ultimately led me to the topic of my proposal: creating opportunities for students to engage in STEM activities by building a STEM lab in our school. 

This is a heavy ask and certainly a big idea, but I believe in its potential because it will provide a new way of learning to all students in my school community. This will provide students an alternate option to "show what they know", which might not otherwise be seen through traditional assignments and assessments. Additionally, it will broaden students' horizons and open their minds to applying the ideas they are learning in the classroom to the real world. Throughout this journey, there have been positives, such as taking the time to research different STEM curriculums and other STEM programs that could be used as a foundation for the curriculum for this program. I've also enjoyed talking to my librarian about the potential of this project, as she is passionate about STEM education and I envision her playing a key role if this proposal were to develop into something more concrete. In thinking about the negatives or setbacks of this project thus far, I keep coming back to the reality that implementation of a program like this might not be feasible for right now because of budget constraints, scheduling, and staffing restraints. While this is disheartening, I have tried to come up with temporary solutions to these challenges that I am encountering in the planning process. 

Being challenged to be a leader in creating such a program and utilizing technology to enhance learning for all students feels like quite the task, but it is something that I am excited about. As a Special Education teacher, I understand the importance of finding engaging, hands-on activities for my students to make the learning experience more concrete. If all students have access to a program that encourages them to think critically, develop their problem solving skills, and work as a team, all students would benefit socially in addition to academically, helping them to grow into more well-rounded individuals.