ETEC590 is my final course in the MET program. It is the end of a two-and-a-half-year journey. As I login to a new course for the final time, I am reflecting back to my situation when I started the program. At that time I was living in Beijing and teaching a grade three class in an international school. My purpose for taking MET was to grow in my role as a teacher-leader in the technology realm, and to gain knowledge to help guide my school.
MET Application Statement of Purpose
So much has changed from when I started my studies. I unexpectedly ended up leaving my school and returning to Vancouver in April 2012. Over this last year, I have had the privilege of focusing completely on my studies, without the distraction of work. However, although my original plan with that particular school will not be fulfilled, my goals have not changed. I have just taken a job in Hong Kong, again teaching Grade 3. In addition to teaching, I will also function as a educational technology mentor for teachers and the school as a whole.
While I have learned a great deal about many aspects of technology, the overarching lesson that I take with me is that technological practice must be informed by pedagogy. My mentors in this have primarily been two authors in the field of educational technology: Terry Anderson (2008) and Heather Kanuka (2008). Over the course of the program, I have come back to their papers multiple times to help inform my thinking. As part of an ETEC512 group presentation on learning theories in technology, I reviewed Understanding E-learning Technologies In-Practice Through Philosophies-In-Practice (Kanuka, 2008).
While I have learned a great deal about many aspects of technology, the overarching lesson that I take with me is that technological practice must be informed by pedagogy. My mentors in this have primarily been two authors in the field of educational technology: Terry Anderson (2008) and Heather Kanuka (2008). Over the course of the program, I have come back to their papers multiple times to help inform my thinking. As part of an ETEC512 group presentation on learning theories in technology, I reviewed Understanding E-learning Technologies In-Practice Through Philosophies-In-Practice (Kanuka, 2008).
References, Links, and Key Resources
Aeckersberg, L. Cooperman, B. Hutchings, D., Kimberlee, N., Penner, J. (2011). Group presentation:
Learning theories and technology. Retrieved from http://theorylearntech.weebly.com
Anderson, T. (2008). Toward a theory of online learning. In T. Anderson & F. Elloumi
(Eds.) Theory and Practice of Online Learning, Chapter 2 (pp. 45-74). Available online at:
http://www.aupress.ca/books/120146/ebook/02_Anderson_2008_Anderson-Online_Learning.pdf
Kanuka, H. (2008). Understanding e-learning technologies-in-practice through philosophies-in-practice. In T.
Anderson & F. Elloumi (Eds.) Theory and Practice of Online Learning, Chapter 4 (pp. 91-118). Available
online at: http://www.aupress.ca/books/120146/ebook/04_Anderson_2008_Kanuka-Online_Learning.pdf
Aeckersberg, L. Cooperman, B. Hutchings, D., Kimberlee, N., Penner, J. (2011). Group presentation:
Learning theories and technology. Retrieved from http://theorylearntech.weebly.com
Anderson, T. (2008). Toward a theory of online learning. In T. Anderson & F. Elloumi
(Eds.) Theory and Practice of Online Learning, Chapter 2 (pp. 45-74). Available online at:
http://www.aupress.ca/books/120146/ebook/02_Anderson_2008_Anderson-Online_Learning.pdf
Kanuka, H. (2008). Understanding e-learning technologies-in-practice through philosophies-in-practice. In T.
Anderson & F. Elloumi (Eds.) Theory and Practice of Online Learning, Chapter 4 (pp. 91-118). Available
online at: http://www.aupress.ca/books/120146/ebook/04_Anderson_2008_Kanuka-Online_Learning.pdf