Chapter 8: Teacher Learning

I probably would not have gained any interest in incorporating technology into my classroom if my husband, sister, and cousin did not share their experiences with online grade books, PowerPoint, or online lesson plans. I come from a family of teachers and although we do not have a “teacher’s lounge” at home, we often exchange ideas. The ideas we exchange have made me a more resourceful and creative teacher. Because of them, I have shared my expertise with online grade books or PowerPoint with my colleagues throughout the years.

I learn a great deal from teachers who have been teaching for two years to teachers who have their names engraved on walls of some schools. And yes, this great deal of learning on my part has stemmed from conversations in the hallway, the infamous teacher’s lounge, and at Kmart (to name a few idea exchange spots).

I appreciate that my family has encouraged me to pursue this master’s degree in instructional technology because the knowledge I have been receiving is so important for a teacher to learn in the 21^st century. I fear that my students are always going to be more knowledgeable than I am in regards to technology. I do not want technology to outpace me.

Educators must take advantage of learning opportunities. While funds to produce such educational opportunities may be tight, administrators must tap on their own faculty members’ expertise to conduct in-service workshops.