The beginnings of the journey

As the first Instructional Technology Leadership comes to a close, and the newest course (Applying Educational Technology) begins, it's easy to become excited about the change in focus and the beginnings of the road map to growth that is taking place. I've been reading about how a change in focus is necessary for student to be successful in the "real world". The traditional focus, as Harapnuik writes, is on standards and curriculum. Nothing seems to drive education more than these two words, and it's been this way for as long as teachers can remember. Yet, as students leave school, if they have only had information transfer to them as opposed to creating and inventing it themselves, they will not be as prepared as their test grades suggest. If educators really want to prepare students to be successful post traditional education, then they should provide them opportunities for real world challenges with authentic discovery where they choose how they share their voice with authentic audiences.

As an educator, I have made connections that I wouldn't have made without the reflection that has occurred in the Digital Learning and Leading (DLL) courses at Lamar University. I'm excited and eager to continue on this journey of making meaningful connections while receiving feedback from an authentic audience. I await making connections and learning through collaboration with others on similar journeys and how that will tie in to how I change my focus towards growth and authentic learning opportunities.

References:

Change in Focus. (2018, July 14). Retrieved from http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=7495

Why Use an Eportfolio. (2015, September 29). Retrieved from http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6063