| Program Goals and Objectives: (Excerpt
from Admission Essay) In my career I want to inspire students to have the desire for self-education and I feel the best way one can educate themselves is through reading. In my opinion, books are absolutely invaluable to the learning process. However, in the current era, technology is at the forefront of education and a good educator must encompass this within the curriculum. As a Media Specialist I want to be able to provide balance between different resources for learning whether it be through a book, audiotape, video tape/DVD, Internet or one of the various software programs available to educators. I also want to be a valuable resource for the teachers in the school. Often teachers do not have the time to familiarize themselves with the different materials available to supplement their classroom curriculum. In my opinion a good Media Specialist will be knowledgeable of the different product offerings on the market that will be available and applicable to the different learning styles of students in their schools. Based on this knowledge they will be able to assist the teachers in strengthening the classroom curriculum by making suggestions about the existing options. They will also be able to educate teachers on resources that can be utilized for the special needs student. A strong partnership with the Media Specialist in any school can only lead to a better education for the students. I am not naive enough to believe that because my experience as a library patron has been enjoyable that the experience of being a Media Specialist is going to be a breeze. I have lived with a Media Specialist of the public school system long enough to know that it takes long hours and at times little appreciation for the hard effort put into the job. But I also have seen how rewarding the experience can be and it is my belief that the rewards far outweigh the negatives. If I can make just one teacher's job a little easier then I will feel I have achieved a successful partnership. And if I can make the library the fun place it was for me as a child for just one student then I will feel I have done my job. The Instructional Technology program at the University of Georgia will provide me the skills needed to develop a strong partnership with teachers as well as provide for the variety of educational needs for students. I will learn the skills needed to achieve a multimedia approach to education that will supplement classroom curiculum and provide a well-rounded learning process. Through this program I will gain the ability needed to reach my career goals. |
| Goals Met By: After reviewing my essay for admission into this program I immediately saw how my goals and objectives have truly been met throughout all of my courses. Some of the goals that have been addressed throughout my time in this program include promoting a love of reading among students, incorporating various forms of multimedia to enhance learning and being knowledgeable of curriculum content so as to be better able to recommend materials to supplement units of instruction. The most important goal however would have to be developing a strong instructional partnership with teachers via collaborative efforts. |
| Preparation for Future: I feel that this program is a wonderful preparation for a future as a school library media specialist. Once I began the student internship I really began to see the culmination of the overarching ideas and themes discussed throughout the entire program of study which really served to reinforce these ideas and themes for me. |
| Future Professional Plans: Currently I am employed in a non-educational setting and I thoroughly enjoy the work I do, my co-workers and employer as well as the people I interact with on a daily basis in the performance of my job. At this time I have no plans to leave my current employer to pursue a position in a media center. I believe that once I am married and beginning a family of my own I will be ready to pursue a position that will utilize my degree and the things I have learned by participating in and completing this program. |