Assignment 1

It is now the fourth week of the course and assignment 1 is due on Friday. My goal is to have it online Wednesday just in case I have problems uploading it. The concept map process really helped to breakdown the issue into manageable chunks so I think I will try to use this technique when dealing with complicated issues at work. It has also helped to demonstrate visually the depth and layers of some aspects of the issue I chose to explore. The hard part for me was the 500 word summary to explain the map and link to the literature. 500 words is not much to work with but then clear and concise writing should be an expectation at this level. One thing that was in the back of my mind when reading articles was that I did not want to read too many and not be able to refer to them in the write-up!

Gerona

Well into first module

It is week 3 of the course and we are well into the first module. I have chosen to explore for both the first discussion activity and the first assignment an issue which I personally find very interesting. Namely, how to best offer support to faculty members who are using technology either to teach via distance or to supplement their on-campus offerings. Having the opportunity to search the library website for articles and resources makes life so much easier than in my undergrad days when you had to rifle through index cards and shelves! Having said that, there is so much to read on the internet that it is difficult to know when to stop. I am already, surprisingly, at the point of saturation regarding the issue since most of the articles I am finding are basically saying the same things about the issue and ways to address it. Now it is time to get the concept map started and begin framing the content of the literature read so far.

Learner Profile

Over the past week I have been trying to think of what to write to describe myself as a learner. Ironically a couple of weeks ago a friend of mine jokingly asked me if I was addicted to anything and I replied that I am addicted to learning! For most of my life I have been studying both formally and informally, whether it be a language, fitness leadership, degree programs, etc. I generally like to learn by reading and then reflecting on the material. In class settings I usually do not abosorb the material on the spot but rather need to review it a couple of times before it sinks in. It is almost as though the initial information serves as an introduction and then I have to study it and make it my own.

With regards to the M. Ed. (IT), my goals are twofold: 1) I am hoping to become more well versed in the language and concepts of the educational technology field in which I work, and 2) I want to apply the principles to the courses I teach in Business. My main goal for the M. Ed. (IT) is to prepare a thesis and contribute in some way to the field by exploring and adding to an important issue.

What a week!

Well I have been hearing a lot about blogs and their applications in education so I am thrilled to have to create one for the course. I work in the educational technology field but in an administrative capacity so the technical/practical side of creating resources is not something I am familliar with. Nevertheless, this week I managed to start my own blog and create my own web-page. Minor accomplishments, I suppose, but important ones for me.

Humm...

Just testing this out...