Though my career focus has shifted, I feel I achieved what I initially set out to do. My learnings throughout my M.Ed. (DE) program helped me attain the goals established when I began as a student in the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Instructional Design (PBDID) program. While the goals themselves did not change, my path to achieving them certainly did.
Goal Reflections
The exercise of reflecting on what I learned through my five artefacts provided insight into how well I accomplished my original program goals. I explored how my new career changed how my goals were met, and where my goals will take me in the future.
Goal 1: Explore Career Enhancement
My first goal of career enhancement still applies, but just differently. Originally, I was looking at applying learning theories to my secondary classroom to enhance my professional practice. Now I apply learning theories to vocational education and training programs. I found it interesting that though the audience and learning environment may differ, the basic tenets of education and instructional design (ID) are the same. It has been rewarding to work with other professionals throughout this program that may work in vastly different worlds of education, but we all speak the same language of learning.
During much of my program, I was working as an instructional designer for trades training. Completing my Masters over four years allowed me to work and learn at the same time, following a learning model similar to an apprenticeship. I had instructors and professional colleagues in both education and instructional design to help build my learning in this field. Though I originally would have preferred to take time off work to complete my Masters and then find employment in ID, this apprenticeship method provided a more in-depth view of instructional design in my context and was a more effective bridge between learning and professional practice.
I didn’t realize until recently how essential my work experience was to my learning journey. My work provided an anchor to which I could apply theory in practice, keeping my learning grounded in a real-life application. If I had taken two years away from teaching to complete my Masters, I would not have the rich experiences to bring to my workplace. A downside of applying many assignments to what I do at work is that I had a narrow lens through which to look at my assignments and related learning theories. As I look back, I wonder if I should have explored learning environments outside of my area of expertise to broaden my learning horizon. At the same time, I do have a passion for working in vocational education and training (VET) and found learning immersed in the VET world provided the career enhancement I was looking for.
Goal 2: Explore Career Advancement
Initially, I developed this goal with the idea of advancing to a leadership position within the same school or perhaps consider secondment with Alberta Education during a curriculum review. I never thought I would actually leave classroom teaching! I now consider myself an instructional designer, as well as a teacher. My decision to transition from K-12 education to the field of instructional design was not made lightly. Much reflection on my learning during my program allowed me to dream big and discover where my professional passions lie. While I found the idea of instructional design alluring, it was not until I completed my fundamental theory courses did I see all that was involved in choosing this career path. I was intrigued by the intersection of learning best practice, creativity, and project management that instructional designers demonstrate every day, but I felt reckless and irresponsible to consider leaving a comfortable teaching position. Later in my program, I realized that my negative self-talk was no more than a lack of confidence in my abilities. Through my program, I built the skills and confidence to successfully transition from a secure full-time teaching job to a completely new career that I enjoy immensely.
Goal 3: Build Confidence in Professional Competencies
This goal is one I will continue to work on over my career, but I have made great strides in these four years. In MDDE 619 we analyzed a list of competencies for an instructional designer. I considered that list as my professional learning goals: a checklist I need to review regularly to assess my growth as a professional in the industry. This reflective portfolio has had a similar effect by assessing my M.Ed. (DE) program competencies against my experiences through my artefact reflections. Because I chose to add my artefacts in sequence as I progressed through the program, I noticed changes in my skills and attitudes as a learner. It wasn’t just a matter of becoming accustomed to learning at the graduate level and being able to meet the expectations in the program in a more efficient manner. My attitude towards myself as a learner improved, my confidence in my abilities in writing and communication increased. While my confidence increased, I built on both my learning and professional competencies throughout the program.
One aspect of the program I feel I still need to improve on is my attitude toward collaborative learning. I fully understand that no one learns in isolation, but collaborative learning spaces are still a bit uncomfortable for an introvert like me. I am still not extremely active in forums, but I am now more supportive and play a more active role in forums and other collaborative activities than when I started. I changed my perspective to acknowledge that we must all make contributions to our collective learning. Sometimes the contributions are for my benefit, sometimes they are for others, but they are all valuable. I feel I did not really learn collaboration until I began to see the purpose behind doing collaborative work.
Looking back, my perseverance in the program translated into confidence in my professional competencies. I now feel I have earned my place in this program through my body of work and achievement of program competencies. This continues to be an area I need to work on, but I have laid the foundation for myself to continue to grow as a learner and in my chosen career.
Final Thoughts
With respect to my personal and professional goals, I finished my program with three big takeaways. First, I recognized that perspective plays a large role in how I feel about my professional competencies. When I began my M.Ed. (DE) journey, I was unsure of my place as a Masters student. These feelings were unfounded as I proved to myself throughout my coursework that I am quite capable of learning at this level. I now realize that my feelings were simply a lack of perspective. It was never a matter of not being able to do it, it was simply a mistrust in my abilities. I now consciously remind myself that only a fear of failure could hold me back and a lack of persistence could keep me from achieving anything at this point. In terms of pursuing my higher education further, I think I will stop here for now, but I no longer look at myself and say, “No, I can’t do this”. I changed my perspective and I acknowledge that my skills and abilities have increased to the point where I know I could continue, but I choose to say, “Not right now”. My passions are in continuing my current work and ensuring I bring the standards I learned through this program with me in my professional career.
Source: Pixabay.com
Secondly, I decided my goals of career enhancement, advancement, and building confidence are objectives I want to work on even after my program is complete. Pushing myself to improve is part of who I am, and part of the reason I became a teacher. Education and personal betterment have always been synonymous to me, so it is not a stretch that I reached out to pursue my Masters to accomplish these goals. As a newly-minted life-long learner, I will continue to reflect on my goals moving forward.
My third and probably most impactful takeaway from the program is the recognition that today is a good day to make a change. After feeling personally and professionally stuck all those years ago, saying “yes” to starting my program made all the difference. Even though I doubted whether I could do it, I am glad I took that first step toward my new path. Five years ago, I never would have believed all the doors that this program has opened for me. I feel I am finally in a place where I can thrive and do my best work.
Comments
Susan Moisey
23 February 2018, 12:50 PM
Heather,
Your conclusion does a good job of wrapping up your e-portfolio and discussing the extent to which you attained your goals.
Susan