2.5 Assignment: Critical Reflection Journal/Blog

What is new to my thinking or learning this past week? 

            This last week focused on OER (Open Educational Resources), a concept that I was somewhat familiar with, in that I had heard the term but did not have a complete understanding of what it was all about.  From a business perspective, I can see educational book publishers being resistant to something like this because it cuts into their profit margins.  From the perspective of schools, I can see where they would be cautiously open to this concept just from a financial standpoint.  However, I can also see educators might be skeptical of this resource, especially if the material isn’t appropriately vetted.  Like any new technology, people will land on both sides of the spectrum.  Anytime there is change, there will be early adopters who will wholeheartedly embrace it and use it daily and those who will resist that change fighting tooth and nail to stick with the tried-and-true methods. 

How has this new information challenged me?

            The information presented this week has challenged me to be aware of new technologies and resources that can be used to educate students.  Admittedly, technology and educational resources today were not like they were when I went to school.  I grew up in a time with mimeograph machines, chalkboards, card catalogs, encyclopedias, and actual hardback textbooks.  The internet was just in its infancy when I was in college.  I researched in the library, where I looked up articles in paper magazines and journals.  I did not attend class and submitted my work electronically through an LMS (Learning Management System); I typed them on paper and submitted a hard copy of the paper to my professor in person.  Finally, there was no such thing as social media, yes believe it or not; there was life before the world of social media. 

            Online learning, and more specifically OER’s, has challenged me to be open to new ideas and ways of learning.  Today's students have grown up in a different time than I did, including many adult students I have worked with and taught.  As an educator, I need to remember that and implement technology and technological resources into the teaching process. This week’s learning has taught me that using OER’s in the teaching process is not necessarily bad if adequately vetted. Overall, the reality is that it enhances the learning process allowing students access to various materials to provide the best education possible. 

How has this stretched my professional growth and development?

            I have always been one who has been open to change; becoming more aware this week about OER’s has stretched my professional growth and development.  By nature, I am a lifelong learner, and being introduced to OER’s has helped me grow as an educator.  Continual learning is my goal to help make the student experience more effective, efficient, and enriching.

What are the implications of this week’s learning on my professional practice?

            My “Why" is to reimagine the learning experience and support students pursuing their educational goals so that they (students) have the highest level of service to ensure the most effective, efficient, and enriching educational experience possible.  Implementing things like OER’s will help me accomplish this.  Using resources like OER’s will help fulfill the third r of enriching the educational experience.  Ultimately students will benefit from the academic expertise of many rather than the educational experience of just one.

How can these new learnings impact my personal faith journey and my impact for the Kingdom?

            Just as students learn from others through OER’s, as a believer seeking to expand my faith journey, I can explore ideas and thoughts from other believers to better understand scripture.  As a student in my undergraduate program, I was required to take Old Testament and New Testament classes.  They were both designed to give an overview of all the Bible books.  I had Old Testament with Dr. Wilbur Williams and New Testament with Dr. Keith Drury.  Both individuals were expert theologians and considered experts in their field of study. While I did gain an overview of both the Old and New Testament, I have expanded my knowledge by my own personal study, listening to a variety of pastors, and reading books by various Christian authors.  The more I understand, the better I will help others on their faith journey.