Benjamin Ayres
EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY COACH
Envisioning the Future
By Benjamin Ayres
Introduction
This is a picture of me in a "Oklahoma" as the Curly the visionary romantic.
(Photo credit: Pensacola News Journal)
Video
Video communication skills are the first thing that I would like to learn more about in to enhance my educational technology performance skills. Movies and cinema have always fascinated me. The magic of Hollywood inspires millions. I know if I can get better at video I too will be able to inspire through the works that I create. This skill will also be important the more digital we become with our education. Flipped and blended learning classroom environments require video in order to operate. I would like to learn video communication software like Camtasia, Adobe Priemier, and Adobe After Effects. I plan on learning this software independently on Youtube and other learning softwares like atomiclearning. As an ET it is my responsibility to learn these skills so I am able to teach best practices in these courses.
This is a picture of me in a "The King and I" as The King of Siam.
(Photo credit: Pensacola Little Theater)
Leadership
“The great leaders are like the best conductors - they reach beyond the notes to reach the magic in the players.” Blaine Lee.
“The great leaders are like the best conductors - they reach beyond the notes to reach the magic in the players.” Blaine Lee. I want to become a better leader. It is a lifetime goal of mine to be able to influence and inspire others. It is probably the most mystical and magical skill that one can attain. I think of some of the most influential figures throughout history like Ghandi, George Washington, and Martin Luther King Jr and the impact that they have had on generations of the future and I too want to make a positive effect and a difference in the same way. This skill transcends all the others because of its ability to live on beyond the individual. Ideas, skills, and passions can be planted in the lives of others and grow into In my mind, this is the most important skill set and it can change lives. It can turn a poor man into a rich one. It can give life to a man that has lost hope. Through reading and practicing leadership skills and attending Educational technology conferences for leaders like ISTE I will become a better leader. Leadership is the one skill that has the magical ability to make a man immortal.
“A good teacher, like a good entertainer first must hold his audience's attention, then he can teach his lesson.” John Henrik Clarke.
Picking the areas where I want to grow more was extremely easy for me as I thought about my passions in life and where I feel weak in those fields. In the field of technology learning goals and technologies are always changing. You have to adapt continuously to the newest gadget or software in order to be effective. An individual must always be learning. The ability to learn something new and being able to create new things seems almost magical. I love it when someone sees something interesting and is inspired by the magic of technology. For the last three years, I have been going through the Michigan State masters program, I have been seeing places in my life where I can continue my magic. There are three key places that I need to improve in order to be more skilled and effective magician in life. In the future, I plan to improve in the following fields to improve my educational technology knowledge: video communication, theater, and leadership.
This is a picture of me in a " Hello Dolly" as the greedy businessman Horace Vandergelder.
(Photo credit: Cindy Ayres)
Theater
"Live theater is magic, and blessed are those who make that magic."
Anonymous.
"Live theater is magic, and blessed are those who make that magic." Anonymous. As an educational technologist you are always performing whether it be in front of teachers or in front of students. If I could harness the wonder and energy that is found in live theater into the classroom I could create better presentations, get more buy in, and develop more influence in my school. From the moment I saw my first live theater performance my imagination was captured by the spectacle and the wonder of the stage. In high school, I was again inspired to be involved in theater by my high school professor who brought the profession alive by putting me on stage. In college, I got to experience theater on a grand scale. I got to experience the technical side of theater by building sets, programming lights, and sound. I want to make a greater contribution to our community theater group. In order to have a greater contribution I need to read more scripts and produce more theater. I feel as though I have a vast amount of experience but in order to make a difference I will need to develop a plan and find plays that our troupe is capable of producing. I love theater and the community it provides. I believe I can be a leader in Pacific Okinawa Players, our local theater group, if I only dedicate more time into learning the profession. The president position is open and I believe through experience and helping the community I can help the organization through that role.
This is a picture of me dacing lead in "Anything Goes" as Sir Evelyn Okleigh.
(Photo credit: Cindy Ayres)
This is a picture of me singing solo in a "Anything Goes" as Sir Evelyn Okleigh
(Photo credit: Cindy Ayres)
Conclusion
”Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.”
Anthony J. D'Angelo.
I love to learn new things. I am sure that even as I master these aforementioned skills there will still be more that I can develop in my life. Knowledge one thing that no one will ever be able to take away from me. The more that I have learned the more skills and abilities I have to work my magic in life and in my profession. Imagine an educational technologist able to impact every teacher and student in the school throughout their engaging presentations and a sincere passion for the job. There is nothing more magical than learning and I plan to be the best entertainer in and out of the classroom.