My philosophy in dealing with technology is to allow all students the same opportunity to succeed as their peers. Taking the MSET classes allows me the chance to learn additional teaching methods AND new skills that will advance my students, and all students, in the technology field--which will advance them in any field they choose to go into.
I live in a rural area where approximately a third of our students are economically challenged. About 10 to 12 years ago when our high school and junior high buildings were wired for internet access, the majority of our students' families could not afford computers--let alone an internet connection. The lack of home access to technology forced me to incorporate as much technology into my business and computer classes as possible to introduce my students to the wonderful world of the web, as well as the computer itself. My district has come a long way from then as we were one of the first year one-to-one laptop schools.
I worked hard filling out the one-to-one application because I wanted ALL of our students to be on a level learning field when it comes to technology. When my district was accepted into the one-to-one program, I talked with the local pizza place (the kid's main hangout) and mentioned that installing wireless for the students may help their business. I did this to help those students whose family could not afford internet access and for our farm families that can not get internet access. Now any student can go to the pizza place and complete homework or surf the net just like those students who have internet access at home. This helps to keep all students on the same level in reference to technology and its use.
My other goal in wanting to participate in the one-to-one was to involve my teachers in technology integration within their curriculum. I have known for years that students need to be more technologically knowledgeable than they were getting in the one required Freshman Computer Class. I believe the only way to make our students more technology "savvy" is to get ALL teachers to use technology within their own curriculum. To help my teachers with this integration, I attend, and encourage them to attend, as many computer and integration classes as I can. I then bring back what I have learned and help my teachers incorporate some of the ideas into their curriculum.