The Growth of a Geek Jeannine M. Hamilton Azusa Pacific University
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History of Coursework Click on the following link: http://issuu.com/hamiltonmariej/docs/course_history-nonanimated
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Personal Growth In my studies at Azusa Pacific, I have re-learned the importance of reading the Word and seeking God as we are admonished to do in Matthew 6:33 (King James Version) in the Bible. Vander Lugt (2006) says “we can never find true joy” (para. 3) until we practice Matthew 6:33. Additionally, the program has reinforced my value of perseverance no matter the circumstances. And finally, I have been reminded of the incredible value of professional development. The Educational Technology Online Program inspires me to seek to study and apply Christian principles in all areas of my life even when the environment does not support the ideals. The program’s curriculum was challenging for me due to my other obligations. I am a mother of three, a wife, a full time employee, an instructor and currently, a student. Shortly after God helped me to make a decision to take a break from the program, I lost my brother to a drunk driver. Though, I thought about not finishing this program, God graciously nudged me to finish. I believe that being back in the program has helped me to focus on the Lord more, and not my troubles, which is strengthening my relationship with the Lord. The Ed Tech program has reminded me how important professional development is to an individual’s work environment and production. I have been able to use the internet to develop and have even shared what I’ve learned with co-workers. Sharing knowledge that is helpful to others encourages mutual learning and an environment that values professional development. Co-workers that have taken advantage of my sharing professional development resources I find on the internet have given me the nickname “Joogle.” Overall, in the past two years, I believe that I have grown closer to Christ and I definitely learned that with Christ I can do all things…no matter the circumstances. I think that if I
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continue to work towards a better relationship with Christ, that Christ will push me to continue to challenge my perceived limits and sustain my passion to learn more.
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Professional Growth Since the second semester of my studies in the program, I have been called on in my work to either assist or head new technology initiatives. This program has helped me to answer that call, thanks to the acquired knowledge and skills about technology and education I have gained. I now understand how to assess, plan, implement and evaluate technology in both an office and classroom setting in higher education. Due to all my new skills in social media, using web 2.0 tools and research and evaluation methods, I am being asked to utilize these skills at my current workplace. I have expanded my workplace’s web presence through social media and mobile sites. I have created a plan to start a tech team to create a cyclical technology plan. Additionally, I have been asked to start an eLearning initiative which includes building online peer learning communities. In education, I have sought to use technology to “…expand beyond linear, text-based learning and engage students who learn best in other ways” (Kessler, 2010, para. 3). To compensate for the time challenge of meeting only one hour a week in my University Studies class, I created a Facebook group for class discussions and a Posterous (http://www.posterous.com) blog for class information and for reflective writing to replace paper journal writing assignments. Little did I realize that my use of technology in my own classroom would prompt the University Studies course coordinator to look at revamping his standard curriculum. When I started the program, I had different professional goals and was focused on how this program would help me with breaking into a career in teaching. However, God had other plans. My work environment changed drastically and all the opportunities that came with the change would pull on every new skill I have learned. And while using technology in work and teaching has impacted my own life, I didn’t realize how much it influences others to reflect on
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their own practices and for many, inspire them to improve. Improving the lives of others is the reason for continuing to push the boundaries of using technology and incorporate sound effective techniques both in work and in the classroom.
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Technical Growth While I was already somewhat of a geek before the program, there were areas of technology I had little knowledge or skill level. I was NOT very knowledgeable about Macs, Mac software, all Adobe software, or the use of technology in the classroom. This program filled those holes. I am enthusiastic about keeping up with the trends, learning about new technology and increasing my skill set. After my semesters in the Fall of 2010, I put the skills I learned about assessing technology needs and evaluating technology to work by successfully leading the Division’s marketing team to picking the correct software for their project management needs. Thanks to the Ed Tech program, I am very creative in finding the right reliable technology tool without increasing the Division’s expenses. For example, the University website (http://www.uca.edu) did not have any analytic tools we could use to track our web visitors. I found a tool called StatCounter (http://www.statcounter.com) that was free that would allow us to embed tracking code in the content management system environment. I am always looking for resources on the internet to help me to increase my skill level. While I’ve gained proficiency in social media tools, website building, eLearning course building and Web 2.0 applications of many kinds, I am now pursuing opportunities to learn graphic and eLearning industry standard software- Adobe products. Overall, I have learned that technology is a constantly changing adventure and you have to be committed to staying in the roller coaster if you are going to keep up. In almost two years, I have developed from a hobby tech geek to a beginner professional geek. By understanding the language of technology, which is being spoken natively by the generations coming up, I can help
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others continue to communicate to the new generations for the good of society in the service of Christ.
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Life Long Learning Plan Dr. Charlotte Cone has been my mentor in the past and I will continue to utilize her as a mentor regularly in the future for advice and guidance in education due to her background as a teacher and administrator in higher education. Additionally, she has administered a federal technology grant in the past. We plan to communicate through phone calls and emails regularly. Once a month, I will keep up with trends in educational technology by reading digital magazines: Converge (http://www.convergemag.com) and Campus Technology (http://campustechnology.com). I will view the vodcast I’m interested in on my iTunes U subscription, Edutopia (http://www.edutopia.org). For the topic of eLearning, I will read the digital magazines Learning Solutions (http://www.learningsolutions.com) and eLearn (http://elearnmag.acm.org). Once a week, for educational technology resources, I will explore and contribute interesting links and notes about urls posted on the Diigo Classroom 2.0 group. Additionally, I will read the Wired Campus - The Chronicle of Higher Education blog (http://chronicle.com/blog/wiredcampus/5/) and the articles on the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education Cooperative for Educational Technologies email newsletter (http://wcet.wiche.edu/learn/updates-newsletter). As a member of LinkedIn, I enjoy reading the headlines that are delivered to my email box about technology in higher education from LinkedIn (http://www.LinkedIn.com). Daily, I will use my Google Reader to scan posts to the EDUCAUSE blog (http://www.educause.edu), Free Technology for Teachers blog (http://http://www.freetech4teachers.com), Mashable (http://mashable.com) and The Social Examiner (http://socialmediaexaminer.com). Currently, I am a member of The eLearning Guild
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and I am also a member of the Educator’s PLN network on Ning (http://edupln.com). I have a professional Twitter account (@J_M_Hamilton) in which I use to share headlines or resources I find interesting about educational technology, education and general technology.
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Conclusion This program’s value to me can be summed up in one word, GROWTH. While this journey has been tumultuous for me, the incredible value I have been blessed with because of it has been worth it. I am seeing many signs of this growth spiritually, professionally and technically. I have a solid foundation to continue to learn more and contribute to the field of education. There isn’t any growth without challenge and difficulty so I have gained much and want to give that right back to others. As a result of growing spiritually, I have purchased the Masterlife Book Set by Avery Willis (1996). My husband and I will be going through a selfstudy with each other. Professionally, I have joined new professional organizations such as The eLearning Guild and am looking at others more focused on higher education or the graphic arts and communication. Technically, I am taking on the major responsibility of learning software that takes years to master…so that will be another journey in itself.
And what’s wonderful is
that I know this is just the beginning even though I’m at the end of my journey with the Ed Tech Grad Program.
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References Kessler, S. (2010, November 22). Eight ways technology is improving education [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://mashable.com/2010/11/22/technology-in-education/ Vander Lugt, H. (2006, November 25). Emptiness without God [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://odb.org/2006/11/25/emptiness-without-god/ Willis, A. T. (1996). Masterlife, a biblical process for growing disciples book set. (Books 1-4). Nashville, TN: Leadership and Adult Publishing, LifeWay Church Resources.
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