I hope to register in the Master of Educational Technology program at UBC

in order to learn innovative new ways of teaching using technology. I would like
to explore recent education and technology research, and learn about the purpose
and philosophy of integrating technology into the curriculum.

I teach a variety of Math and Science courses at the Secondary level that
could be enhanced using interactive teaching methods. I like to use a lot of variety
in the way that I teach, and I find that the use of technology helps to keep things
interesting for my students. I would like to learn more about educational
technology, and ways to effectively incorporate it into my classroom practice.

How do I get away from lecturing at the front of the classroom and turn to a
more constructivist approach? Students learn better when they are actively
engaged in constructing their knowledge, rather than passively sitting there as a
teacher talks. My goal is to use more of a 21
st
century approach in which students
actively participate in shaping their own knowledge. This may mean that in one
classroom, I will have several students working on different activities at the same
time. Computers and smart phones could certainly help me to take this approach,
but I am looking for suggestions as to how to structure my courses. I would like to
learn some activities that students can do on their smart phones to practice what
they are learning. I also wish to gain some tips on effectively managing my
classroom when I have students working with several different pieces of
technology at once. It would be incredibly helpful to get some practical tips for
integrating technology successfully into my teaching practice.

I would like to familiarize myself with the body of recent research
regarding project-based learning that integrates teaching and learning with
technology. How can I give students more choice in what they learn, using
technology to help meet the learning outcomes? I would like to learn more about
the inquiry model of learning in order to give students a more open-ended
approach to what they study. By focusing on some key learning competencies,
such as creativity, critical thinking, communication, citizenship, and personal
responsibility, I wish to restructure the way that I teach.

I also wish to learn more about e-portfolios, as it will give me a chance to
reflect about my teaching practice, and will be a skill that I can pass on to my
students.

I hope that through UBCs Master of Educational Technology Program, I
will explore recent education and technology research, the purpose and philosophy
of integrating technology into the curriculum, the practical reality of integrating
technology into the classroom, and the various technologies that are available.