Reflecting
January 29th, 2006Some of my colleagues have been doing a lot reflection lately. Martha has written two excellent posts about this – one on how a blog can be a way for you to hold on to your thoughts and thinking process, and another on how your memories are “fact” to you, though in reality, that may not be the case. Gardner wrote one about how he came upon a post he wrote awhile back that reinforced some of his ideas and thoughts over the past months.
Well, my turn for reflection too.
I’ve been thinking about my position at UMW lately, Instructional Technology Specialist, and how I think of it so differently than I did just a year ago. Before – I was a facilitator with the technology. I helped folks do what they needed to do to get through the day. I worked hard “to make the trains run,” – you know – keeping everyone happy and keeping the tech working. I’m realizing now that my focus has changed – keeping the trains running is still important, but I don’t see that as my primary function anymore. It is not the best use of my time, skills or training.
I’ve always wanted my position to be more than a facilitator, but I got into a place where I was good at what I did, and the folks around me were happy with what I was doing. It made me forget. In some ways, I think it made me lazy too.
Fortunately, I have lots of good colleagues around me that are moving in a new direction – to a place we all wanted to go for some time. And now we are actually moving there – using technology to improve the teaching and learning – making what an instructor does more meaningful for them and their students. Working towards a place where learning becomes a partnership and the technology becomes “invisible.”
How did we get here? Gardner pushes us hard, but gently. Martha runs with the ball. Andy experiments – constantly. Lisa asks hard questions and helps us focus. Jim defies the status quo. Patrick thinks about technology in new ways.
We have a “dream team” of sorts. I consider myself very lucky to be part of it.
Here’s to a future run of gold medals.
January 30th, 2006 at 3:09 am
Jerry,
You nailed it again. Add to your strengths Individualization.
January 30th, 2006 at 3:18 am
What he said. Thanks for this generous and encouraging post, Jerry.
This could be a very exciting and productive time for us. We should make the most of it, as we are very fortunate in our colleagues. I would say more, but I’d get too emotional. :-)
Onward and upward.
January 30th, 2006 at 3:58 pm
[...] Jerry had a really nice post that brought up some genuine emotion from both of us. It’s still Monday morning at the ELI 2006 Annual Meeting, but there already has been a lot of reflecting. I also have my work cut out for me to summarize what’s so great about being here (and it isn’t just the weather!). It’s quite apparent what a great community there is here. Lots of caring faculty, administrators and staff. Back home there are lots of caring people that I work with – Including Jerry, Martha, Jim, Patrick, Lisa, Pam, and of course Gardner (and meny others). I’ve gotten to see so much passion from “Dr. Glu”, and it’s so inspiring. More reflections to come. Good luck to those at home dealing with family issues. We’re thinking of you! [...]
January 30th, 2006 at 11:30 pm
I also consider myself lucky to be walking into an environment that hass been so well cultivated for the change that we all see unfolding before our eyes. In fact, you, Jerry, time and time again have framed the change that needs to happen at UMW and advocated for its materialization during my interview and several times since, You all did the hard work, I’m just reaping the benefits of your labor. So, thank you!
January 31st, 2006 at 11:09 am
Fantastic statement of what we’re up to — individually and with the sense of the group. It does a lot to help me think about my new role here. Thanks