Introduction

Welcome to my e-portfolio. This e-portfolio is a process portfolio designed to tell a story about my learning and reflections while completing a Masters in Education in Distance Education with Athabasca University.

In December 2010, I made the decision to further my education by completing the MEd (DE) program. A coworker suggested Athabasca University specifically for their flexible admission policy. My prior knowledge and understanding of Distance Education was developed based on self-taught course development, course design, and instruction. Over time, I developed a passion while working within the Distance Education field. As a result, I decided to pursue a Masters degree in this field of study.

In April 2011, I was accepted into the Masters of Education in Distance Education and from there the story begins......

To explore my journey, you will notice on the left side pane a block that contains links to five artefact pages. Each page provides an overview of the course where the artefact was taken from; a summary of the artefact; a personal critical reflection that includes related competencies of my learning; as well as an explanatory summary of how I apply, relate, and demonstrate these competencies as an educator in Distance Education.

Enjoy!

Over the last two years, I have completed 11 courses in the MEd (DE) program while working full time as an instructor, as a bookkeeper for our family business, and as a mother of two teenage children. As a result, obstacles and setbacks occurred frequently. As I reflect on my educational journey through the MEd (DE) program, I realize that I wouldn't change a thing. My experiences surpassed any expectations that I had prior to beginning the program.

Upon beginning the MDDE program, I felt that I had a adequate understanding of distance education. I soon realized that my understanding was predominately technical and that I lacked the theoretical concepts involved in distance education.

The exposure and understanding of distance education have enhanced my professional career in many areas. I now recognize the importance of performing proper thorough research prior to implementing elements into distance education whether it is technology, learning objects, systems, design, or processes. This new knowledge regarding research will promote and contribute greatly when making sound, reasonable judgments and decisions throughout my career.

Moreover, my new understanding, knowledge, and awareness surrounding learning theories and pedagogy amoung adult learners have better equipped me in helping adults to successfully reach their educational goals. The importance of developing learning principles designed around distance education has established new insights, identified key areas in need of improvement, as well as supported and reinforced concepts that I actively employ.

My time working with others, within this program, has been a significant learning process for me. At first, I found myself apprehensive and intimidated when teamwork and participation were expected. Therefore, I was unsure of how working as a group would benefit my learning, especially at a distance. My toughest moments, when working with classmates, were within discussion forums. Often I was at a loss for words; it seemed that others were able to sum up my thoughts in a much more effective manner. In some courses, the posts were overwhelming making visiting the forums a chore; however, over time participating in discussion forums and within teams became easier. I slowly began to step out of my comfort zone and became more active. This extra effort revealed underlying benefits. As I progressed throughout the program, I began to recognize the importance of collaborating, sharing, debating, and discussing within a team. These activities promoted new knowledge and ideas. As a result, this program demonstrated to me the importance of working within teams and how it fostered and enriched my distance learning. I pride myself for getting involved and found that this effort paid off when I began establishing new relationships amoung my classmates. I relied on these new relationships for the exposure to variety of perspectives and suggestions.

In addition to new theoretical knowledge, I take away from this program new awareness of the societal impact and gender issues relating to distance education. It is apparent that prior to this program I was unaware of the restrictions, challenges, and limitations regarding learning amoung individuals, communities, and workplaces. I have taken this new awareness into the classroom by empowering students to think critically; by being supportive; and by encouraging lifelong learning. Moreover, I learned that motivation no tonly encourages learners to take responsibility for their own success but also fosters personal fulfillment which contributes to communities and society.