Professional Growth Plan-DB 4

     

 Creating a professional growth plan is a difficult task for me.  My personality type is laid back and easy going and I'm not a real "go getter".  However, I definitely know there is a need for setting goals, making plans and sticking to them; whether the outcome is as planned or not.  In creating my professional growth plan I used Hall's outline as follows:

Career Goals:  

A. Short Term

1. Learn more technical aspects of design (Articulate, iSpring, different LMSs)

2. Receive certification in Project Management

2. Complete my Master Degree 

B. Long Term
1. Work for a business in instructional design
2.  Work with a start up business doing instructional design
3. Publish articles

Strengths/areas for growth:

A. Strengths

1. Communication: continue working on communication skills

B. Areas for growth:

1. Technological knowledge and abilities

2. Organization: need to improve my organizational skills (take project management class)

Areas of interest: 

A. Gaming and simulations

B. Authentic/real life learning situations

C.Hands on aspects of learning

Preferred learning style: 

My preferred learning style is kinesthetic and visual.  I always learn best by doing and seeing and very rarely do well when learning any other way. 

Opportunities for leadership:

I would like opportunities for leadership whether it be in leading a group at work on a project,  working on a paper for publication, or starting an idea at work and being allowed to run with it.

Opportunities for growth:

There are many opportunities for growth in my current employment.  I would like to look into certifications and professional development opportunities provided by my employer. 

Opportunities for enrichment:

I am researching different aspects of the areas where my interests lie. 

Stretch opportunity: 

For me, this would be in the area of technology or videography which I do not deal with hands on.  I would like opportunity to work more closely with my colleagues to understand what they do and how I can assist them in my current position as well as learn what they do in order to learn for myself for future positions. I would like opportunities to work in areas that I can benefit my department. 

     I am so thankful to have been blessed by a job that I enjoy and that I am continually growing in.  It is not a position I would have considered myself being good at but thankfully the Lord has guided me and allowed me experiences that I believe allow me to do my job well.  "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" ( Phillipians 3:14 NIV).  I believe that I can continue to grow in the areas that I am not strong in as well as improve on my strengths in order to do what God has called me to do at this time.  I have aspirations and things I think would be fun to do but constantly ask the Lord to direct me so I am in His will as I work for His glory.  

References:

The Holy Bible. NIV. 

Hall, D. (2008). The Technology Director’s Guide to Leadership. ISTE ISBN 978-1-56484-244-2.  pp. 160.

 

DB 3: Public Relation Plan

Just as godly communication is important and necessary for a Christian in order to properly show others Christ’s love; so is a public relation plan important for a an educational institution, as it provides a way for people to understand the establishment.  I do not mean to put those two on the same level, only to show the importance a PR plan is for any organization, but especially for an educational institution.  A well strategized public relations plan ensures  promotion and support for education.  There are several different ways to spread educational information and Eewis and Karnes list three general forms of media in which to spread the information:  non-print media, print media, and other media (Eewis & Karnes, 2001).  Because a good public relations plan takes a lot of time and planning to create I cannot list all the aspects of the plan I would create. However, I would ensure as a leader of a school or district that these 3 forms of communication were utilized.  Today, because of technology, my plan would most definitely include apps, texts, phone calls, as well as printed material to be sent home with students. 

Because we live in a world where everyone expects and wants up to the minute communication, it is vital to create a plan that promotes and encourages this. The sometimes challenging part of a public relation plan is getting everyone on board in the area of technology.   Sheninger states “when school leaders hear the words Twitter and Facebook, they cringe” (Sheninger, 2014, p. 78). However, social media tools are free and a great way to distribute information.  There are also several apps, such as Class Dojo, that provide teachers and parents with an open source of communication. 

In my experience as a parent and an educator, it is imperative to provide multiple forms of communication that speak to and reach various technology and non-technology users. 

References:

Sheninger, E. C. (2014). Digital leadership: Changing paradigms for changing times. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Corwin.

Eewis, J. D., & Karnes, E A. (2001). Public relations and advocacy for the gifted. In F. A. Karnes & S. M. Bean (Eds.), Methods and materials for teaching the gifted (pp. 635-672). Waco, TX: Prufrock Press.

Discussion Board Forum 2: Fullan's 6 Secrets to Change

Reading Fullan’s Six Secrets of Change was interesting to me as I had never heard of these specifically written out this way, but have seen these employed in my workplace.  For those who did not choose this option for the discussion board this week, here are the 6 Secrets of Change in a list:

1.       Love Your Employees

2.       Connect Peers with Purpose

3.       Capacity Building Prevails

4.       Learning Is the Work

5.       Transparency Rules

6.       Systems Learn

Initially, some of those phrases eluded me as to the exact contextual  meaning; however, after reading more about each change and the roadblocks that hinder them I realized I have encountered these steps and roadblocks personally.  While each change has its own purpose the main theme that runs through all of them is that in order to sustain a successful, innovative, technologically advanced school /district/development team...) there must be a level of trust and communication.  Eric Sheninger in his book Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing times states it aptly when he says “ It is not about changing who we are as leaders, but changing the way we do things that will transform school culture to better meet the needs of all stakeholders in the digital age.”  (Sheninger, 2014).

On a personal level, I have experienced this in multiple forms but my biggest roadblock I encounter is when working with Instructors who are not familiar with technology or design and have their minds set on not changing.  As I said I was not previously aware of these specific 6 steps but follow a very similar approach when beginning a development with an Instructor.  The first step, especially as a Christian, is the most important (in my opinion).  When someone feels loved and appreciated they are more willing to open up to new ideas and ways of doing things.  There are times when this becomes difficult, especially if someone is non responsive.  However, because Christ first loved us we are able to show love through His grace to those who aren’t as easy to love.  This is a thought that I keep continually with me as I enter each development of a course.

Reference:

Sheninger, E. (2014). Digital leadership: Changing paradigms for changing times. Thousand Oaks: Corwin.

EDUC 638 Introduction

Hi, My name is Corrie Emery.  I am excited to learn with you all this semester.  I am an Instructional Designer and love being able to apply what I'm learning to my  job and vice-versa.  Before working in Instructional Design I taught High School Spanish part-time.   I am a mother of 3 (ages 4,6,8) and have been married for 11 years to my wonderful husband.  We love to spend time outdoors, but not so much when it's cold out.  I'm not very good with cold weather, having grown up in the tropics, I much prefer 90 degree weather.  When we are not outdoors we spend any leisure time reading, cooking, and watching movies.  We are also embarking on a new adventure next month and getting a puppy. 
I look forward to getting to know you in the upcoming weeks. 
Blessings,
Corrie