Three years ago, when I stepped into the role of Digital Instructional Coach, I was overwhelmed, to say the least. While I was excited to step out of the traditional classroom to actively support and coach a staff about the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of integrating technology in their curriculum, I knew that my knowledge and skill set was limited. It was in those initial days that I determined to always seek out knowledge and new skill in regards to Educational Technology. Shortly thereafter, I began my studies the in the Learning Design and Technology (LDT) program.
While completing my studies in the LDT program, I have continued to be persistent in my search for new opportunities to connect with and learn from others engaged in the field of Educational Technology. Through this continued pursuit, I have exemplified my disposition for life-long learning and professional development. Through consistently engaging in professional development, my knowledge and skill sets have grown exponentially. With the continual rapid growth of the technology industry, it is apparent that I must continue to seek out professional growth and learning opportunities.
While completing my studies in the LDT program, I have continued to be persistent in my search for new opportunities to connect with and learn from others engaged in the field of Educational Technology. Through this continued pursuit, I have exemplified my disposition for life-long learning and professional development. Through consistently engaging in professional development, my knowledge and skill sets have grown exponentially. With the continual rapid growth of the technology industry, it is apparent that I must continue to seek out professional growth and learning opportunities.
Demonstrates the disposition for life-long learning
& continuous professional development
& continuous professional development
Even if professionals do not realize it, they are life-long learners; meaning they will, throughout their career, continue to learn new things. The key to this sub-competency is the phrase, demonstrates the disposition for. Another way to describe this posture is by identifying the professionals as having a growth mindset. Instead of rooting themselves in attitude of mediocrity, professionals with a growth mindset believe that they can continually learn and grow through determination and hard work. I have been, and will continue to be, a professional that demonstrates the disposition for life-long learning, in all aspects of my life. As noted in my EDCI 564 week one discussion question response, “I can remember incorporating the LMS (or really CMS) Edmodo” about nine years ago (Winrotte, 2017, p. 1). At the time, I did not know much about technology-enhanced instruction (through digital manipulatives, video platforms, LMS’s, etc.), but I knew it was an area in which I could learn about new instructional strategies and tools. I did not just stop with learning about and trying an LMS, but instead then went on to try flipped learning. I also embraced “testing a personal learning model in which my students systematically, at their own pace, worked through units of material to gain mastery” of the standards (Winrotte, 2017, p. 1). I love learning about and trying new or different instructional strategies and tools. My pursuit of excellence, both inside and outside the classroom, has lead me to attend many conferences in the last several years, such as: ISTE, TCEA, NYSCATE, CUE, LREC, and E2 Education Exchange. Geared towards mathematics, leadership, and instructional technology, these professional development conferences have continued to stoke my desire to consistently engage in growth opportunities that propel be towards professional excellence.
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