Printing presses and reflective writing
One idea that has stayed with me since studying communication is the fact that the printing press was considered one of the greatest inventions ever. While there are obvious reasons such as mass-producing information and improving general literacy, I had an ah-ha moment when we talked about the ability to think in a linear fashion. As thoughts were able to be retrieved on paper they became more tangible, organized, and logical. There is a rabbit hole that I won't go down, but it has always left me curious about the impact of computer technology on our ways of organizing thought.
I pondered the struggles that I felt with putting together this Capstone project. There was something about the way I worked on it that felt non-linear as thoughts hit me and I bounced back and forth from page to page and competency to competency. Hmm.... We know that there are educational changes due to technology, but I have to questions if and how our cognitive processes are being rewired through the use of technology. If so, how fast is this happening? Which direction are we heading? (1.3)
All this to say, that there is so much more to learn. I am reminded of being told in elementary school that the more you know, the more there is to know. I find this especially true as I neer the end of the M.Ed.
The importance of a teacher
Do you know how you always have an inspirational story that follows you around and is there as guidance whenever you feel the need for a pick-me-up if students appear to not give a damn, or if your lesson didn't go off quite the way you had hoped? I often reflect on this story. Please indulge me and listen while I share.
I have a very good friend who teaches high school English. At the beginning of the semester, she assigns a short essay to find out who the student's favorite teacher was and why. Not only is this a good way to assess their English ability, but it also gives her insight into the student's needs and values.
One student wrote about her former teacher with such love and respect, that the impact that this teacher made on her life stood out. She described the teacher as "like a mother" and said that she would have been a different person if her teacher had not helped her in elementary school. This teacher had "changed her life."
Well, it happened that my friend knew the student's former teacher. "Oh, yes! " was the response when asked the student if she wanted her to contact the special teacher and share the accolades.
While the elementary school teacher was flattered, she confessed that she could barely remember this student. Looking apologetic, she said that she had so many students.
I carry this story with me because I realize that as teachers, we often don't realize the impact that we make on someone. Teaching comes with a good dose of responsibility and dedication toward the students. It is something that I always try to remember.
Learning Mandarin
Goals met and more
The goals at the beginning of the M.Ed. program were as follows:
- Teaching online would allow me to be location-independent.
- I would have a master’s degree, which would make me more employable.
- I could do the courses while teaching which made it affordable.
I really was being pragmatic. I began my MEd. as a means to merge my teaching experience with my Canadian education in communication and documentary film because I believed I felt ready to move on from living in China. I believed that an M.Ed. would help me to build a sustainable future at home. I felt like I had been a bit of a fraud because I had been teaching in China since 2014 with a communication degree, and would not have been qualified to teach in a Canadian school.
During the first semester, I realized how different the education system was and that I was not even aware of flipped classes, Zoom, or Bloom's taxonomy. Artifact 1 helped me integrate the learning into my current ideas of making English classes more relevant to my Chinese students by developing a flipped learning course based on Chinese culture.
As I progressed through the degree, I tried to visualize what that would look like. Of course, we didn't predict a global pandemic. Artifact 2 was very meaningful because it brought my focus into a Canadian classroom and gave me insight into the struggles of the First Nations students. It reminded me that poverty and privilege exist globally, and, as is often said, if we are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem.
I hadn't realized that my idea of starting a business was creating a job for myself instead of actually becoming an entrepreneur. Artifact 3 enabled me to look at the variety of skills that I have and reframe this into a viable business plan. I worked so hard, but it was worth every minute as I had made several unsuccessful attempts making a business plan in the past. I am currently speaking with a businessperson who might mentor me as they were impressed with my idea and the solid business plan.
Design is too much fun! Artifact 4 taught me how to methodically put together a program. In so many ways, it felt like editing a film in that you have to choose what is necessary to tell the story and you have to leave some material for another day. You have to know your audience and keep them engaged.
Artifact 5 brought me back to the students in China. I found that it was ironic that coming back to Canada gave me so much insight into my students on the other side of the world. Although the students can't access Facebook, Google, YouTube, and other programs, they do have their own applications. I didn't predict that the use of technology would reignite my interest in teaching in China. I have become quite interested in researching the impact of using chat groups for conversational English and, strangely, I have become quite fascinated about conversations creating measurable data through recordings. I believe that being able to study and produce quantitative data will further promote the use of online learning.
But through it all, I think that one of the main realizations is the vital role that we, as educators, play regardless of whether the courses are online or in person.
A fork in the road
I fear uttering the expression "a fork in the road" as it sounds like a totally outdated cliche and not fitting for a granny like me. But my life has not been typical and I feel quite certain that I will be forging my own path forward. The question now is one of direction.
I took the M.Ed. with the idea of opening doors and finding employment in Canada. Now I look at options:
- It would be nice to have stability, to work with like-minded people in an academic setting.
- It would be nice to work on a Ph.D. and research the pros and cons of chat groups to promote English Language skills.
- It would be nice to be able to set up a business and work online, creating an environment where I can support staff in delivering education.
- It would be nice to stay in Canada with my family and watch my grandchildren grow up. And it would be nice to travel again.
- It would be nice to return to Asia and work with non-profits. (Or maybe go to Africa this time).
I think that the next few steps will become clear as I venture forth. It always has in the past, presented as a minor event, which gently nudges or more forcefully pushes me in one direction. After all, the spark for attending Athabasca was having coffee with a friend who planted the idea in my mind. My teaching career started with a job search and a decision to go for one year. My return to Canada was hastened by the pandemic and, how that has changed things for people.
Indeed, I don't know where chance and adventure will have me be in a year or seven. I know that my life has happened in seven-year chunks and I have transitioned from a little girl in England to an A-class student in Labrador, to a rebellious feminist teenager, to a young bride, to a mother of five, to a hobby farmer, to a mature student, to a filmmaker, to an ESL teacher in China.
I treasure the time that I studied at AU, and I am thankful for the chance to grow.