Another great PID course is slowly coming to an end. Every course has been a great learning experience, building on what came before. I look at each course as coming closer to closing a circle. There are foundational necessities and finishing touches that add value in each course.
I think there are four broad themes to the PID program:
1. Developing a solid knowledge of the theoretical framework of Adult Education and becoming a sound practitioner of distance learning and self-directed learning.
2. Developing proficiency with the tools needed to succeed in the classroom, including lesson plans, course outlines, and formative and summative assessments, both formal and informal.
3. Developing some skills with the technical web 2.0 tools and learning platforms to develop a broader range of teaching tools and classroom management aids to better meet the needs of my students.
4. Developing a high degree of self discipline in reflective practice and feedback strategies to improve all facets of my instruction and my classroom presence. Reflection is key to internalizing what I have been studying.
I think it would be impossible to select any single course or assignment that led to an "AHA!" moment. There were many such moments large and small. In my classroom, I have learned to place greater focus on keeping the course interesting for my students and trying a variety of different techniques and activities that support learning. I have often changed my mind and am no longer afraid to admitting when I was wrong. A good example occurred during my second term of teaching. I had been very resistant to using games in the classroom and considered them childish and frivolous. One day we completed a lab a bit early so I opened a Jeopardy PowerPoint a colleague had given me to engage in some review and kill some time. Within two minutes every student was engaged and extremely competitive. That moment crystallized for me the importance of listening to your colleagues and the pros and keeping an open mind because your gut can be wrong.
As I continue in the PID program I find I am better able to engage with the professional educators, Deans, Managers, and V.P.'s I have to interact with. More importantly, I am also in a better position to pay it forward with new instructors and give them positive feedback and encouragement. My Lifelong learning journey continues, and I would like to give thanks to my peers and Karen Brooke for another great course in PIDP 3260.
I think there are four broad themes to the PID program:
1. Developing a solid knowledge of the theoretical framework of Adult Education and becoming a sound practitioner of distance learning and self-directed learning.
2. Developing proficiency with the tools needed to succeed in the classroom, including lesson plans, course outlines, and formative and summative assessments, both formal and informal.
3. Developing some skills with the technical web 2.0 tools and learning platforms to develop a broader range of teaching tools and classroom management aids to better meet the needs of my students.
4. Developing a high degree of self discipline in reflective practice and feedback strategies to improve all facets of my instruction and my classroom presence. Reflection is key to internalizing what I have been studying.
I think it would be impossible to select any single course or assignment that led to an "AHA!" moment. There were many such moments large and small. In my classroom, I have learned to place greater focus on keeping the course interesting for my students and trying a variety of different techniques and activities that support learning. I have often changed my mind and am no longer afraid to admitting when I was wrong. A good example occurred during my second term of teaching. I had been very resistant to using games in the classroom and considered them childish and frivolous. One day we completed a lab a bit early so I opened a Jeopardy PowerPoint a colleague had given me to engage in some review and kill some time. Within two minutes every student was engaged and extremely competitive. That moment crystallized for me the importance of listening to your colleagues and the pros and keeping an open mind because your gut can be wrong.
As I continue in the PID program I find I am better able to engage with the professional educators, Deans, Managers, and V.P.'s I have to interact with. More importantly, I am also in a better position to pay it forward with new instructors and give them positive feedback and encouragement. My Lifelong learning journey continues, and I would like to give thanks to my peers and Karen Brooke for another great course in PIDP 3260.