Benjamin Ayres
EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY COACH
Introduction
After three years my masters degree journey is near the end. With every step I have discovered something new. I have developed a new understanding of a people or culture. I have learned something new about the world and how it has shaped the lives around us. I even learned something new inside me. This trek into education technology has been no different than backpacking in Nepal or Europe . I have learned a great deal by exploring this program and have already incorporated these skills into my profession and teaching.
Educational Technologist
I began this expedition wanting to learn more about my position as an Educational Technologist (ET). It was my professional goal to attain this position, however, once I attained the position, I found myself not knowing a direction or vision. A year after beginning my journey as an ET, I found myself lost in a foreign land. I have always been good with technology. I had the technology skills but lacked the map and compass. The Michigan State University (MSU) Masters in Education Technology (MAET) program has given me a personal guide to direct me through the realm of education technology.
By Benjamin Ayres
Discovering Technology in Education
This is a picture of me in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
(Photo credit: Mike Dumoulin)
“You are educated. Your certification is in your degree. You may think of it as the ticket to the good life. Let me ask you to think of an alternative. Think of it as your ticket to change the world”
Tom Brokaw
Having strong roots is essential in the National Redwood Park in San Fransisco, California.
(Photo credit: Ranza Veltri)
Modeling
“Adventure is not outside a man; it is within”
T.S. Eliot
Since beginning the MAET program, I have been able to model and execute many of the skills that I have learned through this experience. As with any journey, it is important to me to take the adventure of learning into my own life and share it with my teachers and students all over the world. As an ET at Kadena Elementary School (KES) in Japan, I implemented many of the concepts and tools that I have learned from MSU. I have learned over 25 different web tools, many of which are being used at KES. I have created numerous projects related to education technology in order to teach and inspire the teachers and students at KES. I have also developed conferences for students, technology-related interest groups, as well as multiple poster and promotional technology-related items. These have stemmed from the concepts I have learned from MSU. I see learning as an adventure that will take a lifetime to share.
This is a picture of me soaking in the culture and resting in Kathmandu, Nepal.
(Photo credit: Phil West)
TPACK
The map that has been given to me to guide this journey is the conceptual framework of Technology, Pedagogy, and Content Knowledge (TPACK). The TPACK concept has assisted me in understanding the relationship between teaching and technology. Many teachers and administrators do not understand the relationships of these three concepts. Teachers often create lessons that are underdeveloped and not incorporated with 21st century skills. These are the same teachers that criticize the investment and development in integrating technology into education. They need to understand how important technology is for the future of our students. Understanding and knowing how to use technology is essential to incorporating it into the classrooms. TPACK is the map to this treasure of understanding and knowledge in technology education.
Capturing the moment on a skilift outside of Sapporo, Japan
(Photo credit: Marquis Williams)
Starting the 500 mi bike ride across Iowa on Ragbrai.
(Photo credit: Cindy Ayres)
Special Interest Groups
“A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles”
Tim Cahill
No adventure is complete without friends. The journey of the MAET program has helped me create new friends and has inspired me to build relationships through other special interest groups at our school. One of my most positive experiences in the this program was my experiences with my colleagues. Most of the people in the MAET overseas cohort came from Michigan, as well as a few students that came from all over the world. It was challenging at times to connect with the Michigan students, however, I was able to connect more and identify with students from around the globe. Because of what felt like an instant connection with them, I was able to share life and knowledge during our time in Ireland. This is what inspired me to develop special interest groups at KES.
The KES buildings are very modular, with many teachers separating themselves from the rest of the faculty both physically and professionally. Collaboration and teamwork is so important to share ideas and to develop trust. We all have strengths and weaknesses, but through collaboration we can be stronger educators. I created six special interest groups at KES in 2015. The special interest groups regarded various technologies, and the focus was to getting to know these technologies better. These groups were conducted in an informal and in a relaxed atmosphere, which helped in creating friendship and trust. The subjects included the following presentation technologies: Prezi and Powtoons, Microsoft Office, Learning Management Systems (LMS), Adobe Photoshop, Windows Movie Maker, Tablets in Education, and DODEA Databases. These special interests groups started strong with four to eight teachers interested in each group. Many of the groups met consistently for approximately three weeks. Unfortunately they slowly began to fade away, due to attrition via conflict or exhaustion. Despite the results, I am glad that I tried to develop these special interest groups at KES. In the future, my next journey into these groups will be to provide more flexibility and master’s credit. This should help to encourage teachers to persevere through training, as well as develop a deeper understanding of the technologies.
Walking the streets of Hachinoe, Japan.
(Photo credit: Trevor Anderson)
Riding the trollies on the streets of San Fransisco, California.
(Photo credit: Ranza Veltri)
Understanding with Technology
When trekking through a city for the first time, or meeting a unique person in your travels, certain mannerisms or locations stand above all the rest. One of the most enduring memories that I have from my classes at MSU is the Understanding with Technology class. This class introduced me to TPACK, which is the framework that I use to teach to teachers how to develop their lessons. It also provided me with the standards of practice for my own position as an ET, through the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). ISTE has standards for students, teachers, coaches, and administrators to help incorporate technology in education in a realistic and meaningful way. This class specifically helped me to focus my efforts in distinct concepts, such as leadership, learning, digital citizenship, professional development, and continuous learning. I feel as though I have grown and have pursued all of these areas with zeal. This class will always be one of my favorite moments from this MSU adventure.
Creating friendships during a Phillipines mission trip.
(Photo credit: Andre Jackson)
Creativity in Teaching and Learning
“An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail.”
Edwin Land
Each time you try a new trip you never know where you will end up, if it will be an amazing journey, or even a complete bust. The Creativity in Teaching and Learning class has been my favorite curio from this amazing exploit. I have always admired creative people, and thought of creativity as an innate skill. This class outlined specific steps into developing and nurturing creativity in education. It truly spoke to me by encouraging me to develop my own creative skills and incorporate them into my school and teaching. I found this class to be fun! Many weeks I was stumped with the assignment that was given to me and then only when playing around with different ideas did I truly understand the assignment. I felt the most freedom and the most differentiation from this class, which made it easy for me to blend it to my interests and skill sets. I was able to create numerous fun projects in this class. With every trip that I take I try to find a gift, artifact, or craftwork of the local culture that defines the journey. This class was the jewel of this program which I will not soon forget.
Reflecting on the banks of Lake Michigan Chicago, Illinios.
(Photo credit: Cindy Ayres)
Taking time to reflect after a day of backpacking around Seoul, Korea.
(Photo credit: Jeanadette Ayres)
Tools
In any good trek it is essential that a person is prepared with the tools necessary to complete the trip. I have learned many tools in this program that can be used and explored in the future. Adobe Photoshop is an amazing photo editor for creating posters and graphics. Camtasia is a great tool for creating tutorials, editing video, and flipped lessons. Wix and Weebly are amazing for creating attractive and easy-to-build websites. When it comes to presentations and papers, Google Apps has opened an entire new world in collaboration and accessibility. Powtoons and Prezi have also been particularly fun to dabble in when it comes to presenting new concepts and ideas. Using Animoto and Voki have been particularly inspiring for creating animations and avatars. Furthermore, Schoology has been a particularly interesting web tool that KES has implemented system-wide for professional development and blended learning. These tools have been essential in my work and my adventure as a leader in educational technology.
Sitting down to dinner to enjoy the finer things in life in Galway, Ireland.
(Photo credit: Jim Ayres)
Dueling with my father in a castle in Prague, Czech Republic.
(Photo credit: Cindy Ayres)
Making friends with my guide in Pokarah, Nepal.
(Photo credit: Benjamin Ayres)
Snowboarding with friends in Misawa, Japan.
(Photo credit: Andre Jackson)
Leadership
"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way."
John C. Maxwell
One of the most valuable skills that I have learned from this program revolves around leadership. To be able to lead, impact, and influence people is another key to being an educational technologist. I have exercised these skills by leading our technology committee at KES, directing a conference, and being the data chair on our continuous school improvement (CSI) committee. Being a part of these leadership endeavors has given me the opportunity to serve others, and to understand my colleagues on a deeper, more psychological level. I have been able to task specific jobs to people that I know are able to accomplish them and have reduced the tasks of those who may have less to offer. I have had the opportunity to lead by example by presenting numerous conferences, as well as develop tutorials and walkthroughs that support faculty and staff throughout the Pacific. I have been able to create solutions, and lead KES through many issues, such as data organization, by creating a One Note datalocker that housed all school documents. Leadership is one skill that I will be continuing to learn throughout my life; to create an enduring legacy through my character and vision.
On tour at the demilitarized zone on the North Korean side of the border.
(Photo credit: Jeanadette Ayres)
Adapting Innovative Technologies to Education
“If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to go far go together”
African proverb
Another picture that I will put in my scrapbook of memories from the program is from the Adapting to Innovative Technologies to Education class. This class had students form similar interest groups, conduct research, and develop posters on a particular subject area that focused on technology in education. This was one of my favorite experiences of the program. With trips you sometimes accidentally run into an event or an experience, and you leave that experience with a whole new perspective on life. This class brought that kind of epiphany to my understanding of how powerful collaboration could actually become. Often I have been placed in groups where I do a majority of the work, whilst my colleagues watch from the sidelines. This particular project was unique because we all came in without any knowledge on the subject. Then we became the experts that developed posters and presented them to fellow students. Everyone contributed to the project, and it produced a very informative and attractive infographic. Beyond the physical project this class has helped me to develop the understanding that everyone has their strengths and weaknesses in education. Still, through teamwork and collaboration, we can achieve much more than we could alone.
Parasailing in Pokarah, Nepal with the falcons.
(Photo credit: Benjamin Ayres)
Conclusion
“I get up in the morning looking for an adventure.”
George Foreman
The last three years have been one amazing adventure. I have enjoyed all of my teachers and mentors along the way. Each day I have enjoyed waking up and discovering new truths and perspectives in education. Starting within the safety of my classroom, I have ventured forth into the world of educational technology. I have developed a new understanding of what it means to be an ET in the 21st century. I have developed some profound lessons and projects with the assistance of my colleagues. I have gone from a timid wanderer to a trailblazing pioneer. With the help of MSU, I know that I am ready for my next adventure and future, as a leader in educational technology.