Running Head: MY PLACE IN THE GROWING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY 1

MY PLACE IN THE GROWING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

P.Russell Chevrier
Azusa Pacific University







Authors Note
P. Russell Chevrier, Online Master of Arts Degree in Educational Technology student,
Azusa Pacific University.
Concerns pertaining to this manuscript should be addressed to P. Russell Chevrier,
Department of Online Master of Arts Degree in Educational Technology, Azusa Pacific
University. E-mail: pchevrier08@apu.edu
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History of Course Work

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Personal Growth
Not long ago the State of California shifted its focus away from State Standards to
National Common Core standards. Along with this change I found it necessary to update my
career goals and focus upon my personal growth as a teacher. That is when I joined the Online
Educational Technology Program at Azusa Pacific University (APU). With the old ways of
textbook curriculum fading and the influx of technology in the classroom, I had to learn how to
enhance my teaching skills. It didnt take long to improve my personal teaching skills. I learned
to invite God in my personal life, become more aware of the trends and issues affecting the use
of technology in the classroom, and revamp my personal and organizational skills.
With daily study of the Bible in tandem with the courses in the program, I learned to set
aside time to spend with God. This helped me navigate all the additional pressures and demands
for time knowing, with Him, I could do anything. I experienced many thought provoking
discussions showing me how to apply messages from the Bible to my personal life and model
them in my classroom. I learned to focus my energy on the trends and issues in technology, and
to keep looking for new and innovative ways to utilize them in the classroom. I quickly
increased my knowledge of technology and with new cutting edge methods I improved my
teaching. With this new direction in life I found myself hurried and unorganized trying to fit in
school, work, family, and God. I learned to embrace Google and many tools especially Google
Docs, and Google Calendar. These helped me hone my organizational skills, like juggling
courses, family, work, and God. It would have been a disaster without the knowledge I learned.
Obviously my personal growth as a person and a teacher has greatly improved. I am
confident I will be able to continue to grow in all the areas mentioned above, and use these skills
to help my students advance their own personal growth towards meeting their classroom needs.
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Professional Growth
My professional growth has also been influenced beyond what I had expected. Using
technology was something I had already practiced within the classroom, but I soon found out my
knowledge of it only scratched the surface of what lay ahead. Learning about new technology
and figuring out how to integrate it better soon opened the door to bigger and better
implementations. I use technology to help with struggling readers. Spencer and Smullen (2014)
said, research clearly identifies the need for, and suitability of using technology in new and
different ways within the reading classroom to support and encourage struggling readers (p. 31).
I became a staff technology assistant at my work site. I also grew to be more valuable by
changing my attitude on group collaboration. Again, I was rewarded by being named the grade
level leader at school. With these advancements, it was clear I could not just sit back and
complacent. I learned how to keep up with the trends of the day and present them to my
colleagues so they could become better teachers as well.
My growth as a professional grew because I knew how to incorporate technology in the
classroom at a higher level. It was not difficult to show the things I learned at grade level and
staff meetings. I design web sites for classrooms, explaining the differences between web
building sites and internet browsers. I am able to make instructional videos for my class which
help with engagement and learning. I promote the use of Edmodo, ePals, and My Classroom
Dojo so my students will be exposed to more technology then just their cell phones. I was the
first teacher to allow my student to bring your own device (BYOD) and use it in class. I saw the
excitement in their eyes as they learned how to use technology to compete with others. As our
district moves towards the implementation of Common Core and the use of iPads I will not fall
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prey to the pitfalls that (Badman, 2014) warns about when he said students can have fleeting
attention spans, and are easily distracted. The best teacher in the world is no match for the siren
song of the Internet when a device in hand can take you to the Web during a lesson that isn't
hooking you (para. 10).
I believe there is no limit to the instructional value of technology in the classroom, and I
will continue to seek methods and technological expertise will give my students, colleagues, and
administrators the necessary equipment to rise above the rest.

Technology Growth
Technology has taken over the world. It has become apparent that in order to compete in
almost any arena one must have a thorough understanding of it power. Day (2010) said, for
technology to affect student learning, schools must ensure that appropriate resources are in
place (para. 1). I am in place. I am not just a user of technology; it has become intermingled in
my psyche. I realized that if I did not become immersed into it, it would replace me.
I have brought the students visual experiences that heighten engagement. I have become
the portal of information that assists in the exploration of the virtual world. Through my
classroom website parents are able to virtually link to my class and see their students in action. I
have created visual presentations when students are a part of the learning instead of just
bystanders. They use the technology to their advantages specifically by using iPads instead of
paper and pencil. My growth in technology allows me to facilitate learning instead of hope a
student learns.
As I evaluated my growth with technology, I know that with the technical knowledge
learned from this program will continue indefinitely. Not only have I become a better teacher,
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but my students will benefit through my leadership as we ride the wave of technology into new
and innovative avenues and experiences. Together we can change the world.

Life Long Learning Plan
Now that I have completed the Online Educational Technology Program there is no time
to rest. Realizing that this is a lifetime process, I have created a new set of goals where I can
showcase all I have learned. My first goal is to continue to practice integrating technology
whenever I can in my current and future classroom. As funds become available I will acquire
additional hardware necessary to expand student applications. I will encourage my students to
use their own technology whenever possible, and I will guide them to seek a higher standing in
life by utilizing technology in their lives. Secondly, I will increasing my professional learning
circles so I can continue to collaborate. I am already a member of LinkedIn, Edmodo, ePals, and
iEarn. I will continue to blog, chat, and tweet whenever I can, and keep in touch with the people
of several Cadres that I participated with during the program. Brainstorming with others will
help to keep the process of learning refreshing by not allowing it to become stagnate. Lastly, I
will continually search the web for updates in technology and for current trends, and I will stay
familiar with the issues of the day. Subscribing to professional journals, like the Journal of
Technology Integration in the Classroom, or The Horizon Report, and attending professional
development meetings will also keep me sharp. One thing is for sure, if I am to keep my place in
the world of technology there truly is no time to rest. I will continue working to help make my
students productive and competitive members of society.


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Conclusion
My worth of an individual and as a teacher has been greatly improved because of the
Online Educational Technology Program. With the knowledge gained and the integration of
technology within my classroom, I have improved my teaching skills. Students are more
engaged and excited to learn more. The use of technology in my classroom has increased. I am
more confident not only in life but in the employment of technology. Students cannot wait to get
to school each day because they are excited to see what new day brings. Because of the
program, I have seen the importance of technology and its implications not only in the United
States, but the world. My journey has been a long one, but one thing is certain. It is not over. It
will continue. As it does, I am confident I am prepared to make a difference not only with my
life experiences, but in those whom I come in contact with. It is clear that with the help of the
many instructors and cohorts that I have worked with at Azusa Pacific University, I have found a
place in the growing world of technology.








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References

Badman, L. (2013). iPads in the classroom: Worth doing right. Informationweek -
Online, Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com. library.capella.edu/docview
/1370780940?accountid=27965

Day, C. W. (2010). Classroom technology. American School & University, 82(6), 43.
Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.library.capella.edu/
docview/212756436?accountid=27965

Spencer, R., & Smullen, T. (2014). Future reading: using technology in the
classroom. Practically Primary, 19(2), 28-31.