Welcome
You found this website, so you probably have an interest in Educational Technology. Let's make the journey together, unearthing new treasures along the way.
I am Diane Main, and I live and work in Silicon Valley, where I previously taught computer technology to grades one through eight at Milpitas Christian School. I instructed my students through projects that brought together what they learned in their classes and the tools I wished for them to be able to use: Microsoft Office, Internet, Google Apps, Google Earth, wikis, and more. I worked with classroom teachers to plan technology integration projects that help them meet their content standards while I met my technology standards. I am passionate about my students acquiring 21st Century skills while also learning, growing as people, and having fun. I was the technology evangelist where I worked, but I also know when it’s wise to skip using technology. Another one of my passions is GPS technology and geography. I love maps and atlases, so I naturally gravitated to Google Earth. My students in grades four through eight created placemarks related to topics they study, generally in history or science classes. I now serve as Director of Learning, Innovation and Design (9-12) at The Harker School.
I chose the EDTEC Masters program at SDSU because I knew I still had a long way to go in becoming a truly learned advocate for technology in the classroom. Sure, there may be other opportunities that become available to me now that I have completed my degree, but I really love what I currently do; I just want to do it better. I was very excited when I first read about the courses covered by the COMET program. There was stuff in there I was already into, and other stuff I had on my professional to-do list of things I wanted to learn. I tend to go with my gut in planning projects for my students. I just seem to “know” what will work – but that sometimes backfires and I have to change course mid-stream. I believe I gained a lot from studying the proven processes of instructional planning.
One “con” of the online method, for me at least, was not getting to attend classes with others and meet face-to-face. I tend to be a very social person, and I enjoy all the little things about class meetings. I also really like going to school. So this was a new experience for me. However, my life is pretty busy, and I do well with being able to carve out pieces of my days and weeks for online activities. My son started school when I started my Masters, so I was able to plan my schedule around what was going on in his life as well. My husband was also very supportive of my going back to school, usually keeping our son busy when I needed to attend classes or work on projects. As it turned out, my cohort was a very social bunch, and we managed to make connections and start new friendships despite the distance.
To get to know me a little better, you can read a brief biography HERE.
I am Diane Main, and I live and work in Silicon Valley, where I previously taught computer technology to grades one through eight at Milpitas Christian School. I instructed my students through projects that brought together what they learned in their classes and the tools I wished for them to be able to use: Microsoft Office, Internet, Google Apps, Google Earth, wikis, and more. I worked with classroom teachers to plan technology integration projects that help them meet their content standards while I met my technology standards. I am passionate about my students acquiring 21st Century skills while also learning, growing as people, and having fun. I was the technology evangelist where I worked, but I also know when it’s wise to skip using technology. Another one of my passions is GPS technology and geography. I love maps and atlases, so I naturally gravitated to Google Earth. My students in grades four through eight created placemarks related to topics they study, generally in history or science classes. I now serve as Director of Learning, Innovation and Design (9-12) at The Harker School.
I chose the EDTEC Masters program at SDSU because I knew I still had a long way to go in becoming a truly learned advocate for technology in the classroom. Sure, there may be other opportunities that become available to me now that I have completed my degree, but I really love what I currently do; I just want to do it better. I was very excited when I first read about the courses covered by the COMET program. There was stuff in there I was already into, and other stuff I had on my professional to-do list of things I wanted to learn. I tend to go with my gut in planning projects for my students. I just seem to “know” what will work – but that sometimes backfires and I have to change course mid-stream. I believe I gained a lot from studying the proven processes of instructional planning.
One “con” of the online method, for me at least, was not getting to attend classes with others and meet face-to-face. I tend to be a very social person, and I enjoy all the little things about class meetings. I also really like going to school. So this was a new experience for me. However, my life is pretty busy, and I do well with being able to carve out pieces of my days and weeks for online activities. My son started school when I started my Masters, so I was able to plan my schedule around what was going on in his life as well. My husband was also very supportive of my going back to school, usually keeping our son busy when I needed to attend classes or work on projects. As it turned out, my cohort was a very social bunch, and we managed to make connections and start new friendships despite the distance.
To get to know me a little better, you can read a brief biography HERE.