6.5 Assignment A Final Critical Reflection Journal – Blog
A Final Reflection
For this workshop’s blog entry, reflect upon all that you have learned in this program. How are you different than when you began? What skills and knowledge have you learned and most importantly from your Action Research work?
The point of the journey is not to just get to the destination, but the transformation that takes place along the journey. Though it was never my intent to go beyond the Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning, the journey has been transformative, and am not who I was when I began a year and a half ago. I have learned that everything you go through in life whether good or bad is a valuable piece of wisdom. I have also learned to never regret anything you have been through because there is always something to gain from your experiences.
Charles F. Kettering an American engineer, known for inventing the electric starter used in combustion engines, as well as other automobile technologies said, “Research means that you don’t know, but are willing to find out.” As I explored potential topics to research, I chose the area of stress and the academic performance of online students. I thought the answer was obvious based on various roles that I have held in Higher Education, and it essentially was, the biggest takeaway that I learned was that stress in and of itself is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is how we cope with stress that is the most important finding from the research that ultimately needs further exploration.
Terry Pratchett an award-winning British science fiction and fantasy author said of research, “The best research you can do is talk to people.” I realize now that one thing that would have strengthened my Action Research would have been to talk to students one on one to explore further effective coping methods and how best to face the stress of an online academic program in ways that promote better academic performance. Though quantitative data tells one side of the story, nothing beats hearing first-hand how students cope with the stresses related to their online academic program. There is still much to learn through additional research. Much like there is more to learn what God’s plan for me is.
I have come to understand that God’s plan can be confusing and disturbing but if I keep focused on Him, I will see the miracle that is found in the middle of the mess and my fear of failure is overcome with favor. The last year has truly been a transformational journey and one that continues to develop me as an aspiring educator and an individual who desires to fulfill God’s calling and purpose for my life. 1st Peter 4:11 says, “Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ” (NIV). This verse speaks to the calling and purpose that God has had for me along this journey that I have been on for the last year and continues to develop daily in my life.
As another chapter concludes the takeaway is that what I expected my life to be versus what I am experiencing is very different. But God has taught me three important lessons: 1) Your plan may not be God’s purpose. Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (NIV). 2) When you find your why you’ll find God’s purpose for your life” Acts 13: 41 says, “Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.” (NIV) Lastly, 3) Purpose is found not in how many people serve you but in how many people you serve. The biggest takeaway of all has been the fact that “when you discover your God-given purpose when you know why God has created you, everything else starts to fall into place.” My final reflection is my life verse, which is found in Acts 13:36 and says, "When David had served God’s purpose in his generation, he fell asleep” (NIV). What is next? Perhaps David had it right and it is time for rest.
