Rank and Importance of Each Program Learning Outcome

 Rank and Importance of Each Program Learning Outcome

            Each of the PLOs are ranked from first to last regarding their importance to the writer as an educator or potential educator.  The author will discuss how each PLO would be used in an imaginary classroom scenario, as well as why the PLOs were ranked in their prospective order, and their value to him in the learning environment.

1) PLO 3 -- Design learning opportunities that apply technology-enhanced instructional strategies to support the needs of all learners.  This was an easy one and its choice came in an instant and without any hesitation.  It is the writer’s passion to teach English as a Second Language.  It was the major course of study throughout his Bachelor’s Program, and experience in this field came from nineteen years of teaching in foreign countries.

            For this writer, the main purpose of pursuing a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Learning with Technology was not to acquire a piece of paper stating that he had completed the required courses, but to gain a better understanding of how to design and apply technology-enhanced instructional strategies to the required content being taught in the classroom.  The writer feels that supporting the needs of all learners should be on the top of every teacher’s list.  The type of course itself is of no consequence.  It could be math, science, language arts, or any other type of course; however, there is no denying that the greatest diversity of learners will most likely exist in the language learning classroom.  Therefore, it is paramount that the instructor is making connections with each and every student by addressing their various learning styles.

2) PLO 1 -- Demonstrate knowledge and skills related to learning using technology.

            It simply stands to reason that the instructor needs to understand just how the very essence of teaching and learning can be enhanced, and therefore, affected by using technology in order to demonstrate one’s knowledge and skills.  Some instructors are intimidated by the very notion of using technology in the classroom.  For those, that fear comes from a lack of understanding technology’s purpose.  Through the hands-on use of various types of technology throughout the MATLT program, an understanding of their potential and use has been more clearly demonstrated.

             As such, the basic knowledge of how some of the tools of technology might be used, as well as when it is best to use one over the others, must be transferred from the instructor to the students.  This is done through modeling and hands-on activities.  It is not enough to simply tell students that they can use the technology of their choice without them having a clear understanding of how their options might serve them.  Without that knowledge, a student is prone to setting their sights on the one technology they know best, again and again.

3) PLO 2 -- Demonstrate knowledge and skills in current and emerging instructional technologies.

            Certainly, being on top of the game by becoming familiar with the most current and emerging instructional technologies is important.  Instructors need to be aware of the latest technologies; otherwise, their students will be ahead of them and they will quickly become bored because they will feel that they have to learn things that they already know.  It is up to the instructor to be up to date on the latest and perhaps most innovative and interesting tools.  Of course, it is always engaging for students and teachers alike to learn something new together.  This writer has found that collaboration among teachers is the instructor’s greatest ally.  It will also be helpful, even if in a MOOCs type of atmosphere, to attend workshops as they become available.

            While emerging technologies are most often quite dynamic for their time, one must also be aware that they come with drawbacks.  New technologies most often will have to go through a period of transition before entering into mainstream use.  There are always glitches, bugs, and endless updates which can cost valuable time and effort lost.  Nevertheless, this is not a viable excuse for avoiding them.  The more information a person possesses, the better versed they tend to become.  And besides, time spent gaining knowledge is always time well spent.

4) PLO 5 -- Exemplify ethical practices of technology usage.

            There is much more than meets the eye when it comes to ethical practices of technology use.  Its importance cannot be downplayed.  That is why the subject is so high on the list.  First and foremost, this writer’s students will need to go through an orientation program.  One of a teacher’s most important jobs is to ensure the safety and well-being of their students.  Knowledge comes by way of education; however, there are some things that students should not have to learn on their own and by way of experience.

            First, students need to learn about netiquette, especially if they are going to be learning in the online environment.  To coin a phrase from the Bible, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” carries a lot of weight.  Students need to know that they are to be respectful of all others and at all times.  This does not mean that they have to agree with the opinions of others, but if they are going to argue against an opinion, then they should be well-armed with facts when they decide to come to the table of debate.  Writing in all caps is akin to shouting.  That is how innocent babies learn to get their attention.

            Whether we are naïve to not believe so, there are predators lurking around every corner.  Students have to be made aware of the existence of rapists, pedophiles, pornography, and bullies.  Once some of the dangers of the Internet have been covered then students can learn about some of the other, less obvious ways that they can be kept safe.  Subjects like plagiarism, copyright infringement, and how posting personal information on Facebook can come back to bite them.

5) PLO 8 -- Demonstrate the ability to make informed decisions regarding the use of technology in support of learning and leadership.

            The writer always thought that leaders and leadership were talents that were left for other people to enjoy.  That was until he took on the role of becoming a mentor to protégés in the Ashford University CHAMPS Program.  By relating his experiences to others as to how he dealt with adjusting to the online learning environment, and how to approach some of the many different aspects of the new student’s journey, made him realize that he was a leader.  That is what leaders do; they help to move others from the darkness and into the light.  Indeed, it turned out to be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences ever.  Teachers are already leaders, and that is the fruit of their work.  Every leader had a teacher before they became a leader.

            Being able to make sound decisions regarding the use of technology in support of learning and leadership is a great way for teachers to model for their students.  Leadership is not a quality acquired by the faint at heart.  One must stand sure-footed in the trenches of self-doubt, knowing that knowledge is power, and that their strongest conviction is that they possess such power. 

            In the English as a Second Language classroom, the writer has made it a practice to assign new and/or weaker students to a “buddy.” A buddy is a classmate that possesses a more advanced level of knowledge in the English language.  Ideally, that person might reign from the same geographical region as the new student, or might be one whose mother tongue is the same. This is not only a great help to the new student, but it reduces the workload of the teacher as well.  Time saved can otherwise be devoted to advancing the status of the entire class.

Challenges and How They Were Overcome

            This author has encountered several challenges while designing this ePortfolio.  Given the fact that he has ill throughout most of the duration of the course, the greatest challenge was time management while attempting to catch up.  Working from behind, and especially in a capstone course, is certainly not the way to do it.  The additional stress that was added was almost too challenging and difficult to overcome.

            There is only one way that the author was able to overcome such a challenge, and if it were not for the patience, kindness, understanding, and leniency bestowed upon the writer by his instructor, Dr. Yvonne McCastle, this could not have been accomplished.  Even still, this ePortfolio will not appear in its entirety, but it was all that could be done.  Nevertheless, she deserves all the credit.  She steadied his course when he fell astray, held him up with encouragement just when he felt like he could not go on.  She believed in him.  Make no mistake, this is the kind of person that everyone needs in their corner.  This is a lesson that will not be forgotten when teaching others.

            Perhaps the next greatest challenge the writer has experienced throughout the composition of this portfolio was to come up with the best strategy for each of the learning outcomes.  Certainly, all of the activities have already had to do with Teaching and Learning with Technology and so each one already used a particular technology.  After all, that is the major course of study in this Master’s Program.  The writer did not think it to be fitting to just toss any tool of technology into any activity in order to satisfy the assignment.

            The way that this challenge was overcome was to realize that there is a best next tool for each of the prior activities, and it was the linking of the chosen tool to instructional design principles and theory that was the clincher in confirming that I had made the best choice.

            Lastly, another great challenge was posting this work onto a blog.  The author has used a blog in the past for other required assignments and it always come with a learning curve.  The way that this was overcome was for the author to keep in mind that it can and will be accomplished with not nearly the amount of toil that was required the first time around. Like anything else, if one does not use it, they will lose it.  Since it has not been all that long ago that a blog was designed by the author, all is not lost yet.