Reflections+Module+8

// Reflection Prompt: // ** Summarize your learning for this term. How will you use the knowledge you have constructed to improve your use of technology for learning in your class and for your own personal and professional development? **

I have mentioned in several discussion boards posts in both Intro. to Instructional Technology and Multimedia/Hypermedia that my learning curve this semester has been as steep as Mt. Everest! Re-entering grad school at middle age, possibly post mid-career, after an 18 yr. absence, can be challenging. Add to that the explosion of technology that has occurred in the fifteen years since I left teaching elementary school, and you can envision the obstacles I thought I was facing. It is quite possibly a good thing that I am pursuing this degree as an online learner, because my anonymity allowed me to have a "deer in the headlights" reaction to all of this new information without being embarrassed in front of my peers and instructors.

The good news is that, over the course of the term, I have adapted to online learning (I will avoid boring you with my transition from Windows to Apple that occurred early in the term!) and have begun to embrace all that technology has to offer both educators and learners. My University supervisor recently remarked that I am using and am comfortable with an expanding technology vocabulary, which has allowed me to work at a higher level with our tech support, academic technology, and public relations departments. I hope to soon embark on field experience activities with our academic technology services dept. to support their efforts in faculty development, with my ultimate goal of becoming a technology coach to faculty as they introduce new technologies into their teaching events. I am also developing more confidence as a user of technology. Understanding the basic structure and design of websites has allowed me to be a better and more critical user of the sites. It is also improving my ability to restructure the design of my office's web presence within our University's site. At this point-very early in my course work-I am very excited to see what each semester will bring as I continue to develop my capabilities with instructional technologies.

Update: 11-20-13 I would like to add this additional reflection, as a user of technology and online learner this week. While completing an assignment for another course, I ran into a very challenging issue with technology. I spent many hours (over 10) trying various solutions to the problem. I also consulted my professor, who offered support and suggestions. Ultimately, we were unable to solve the issue. While I find this to be frustrating, I am so thankful that my professor valued the effort that I put into finding a solution, and ultimately felt supported as a learner. My takeaway from this will be: that as a technology coach and possibly a future designer of online educational pieces or online educator, that I remember to value the human side of learning and the efforts of my students and colleagues.