Reflections and Looking Forward
In the process of reviewing my artifacts and making notes on each artifacts and their relevance to my learning, I found that I was relearning, and refocusing on the interconnections, and their relevance to my new understanding of critical pedagogy, critical digital media literacy, culture and other themes in this portfolio. By reflecting on the significance of my learning and "taking into consideration alternative interpretations of what is going on with students [and with me], socially and psychologically in their learning of subject matter," I was engaging critically with my own learning and development as well as with my teaching practices (van Manen, 1995, p. 6). This process also helped me to outline some of my interests, which seemed to overflow into most of my courses.
For example, in the Foundations of Leadership course, I came across the word “mindfulness”, which intrigued me and led me to a whole new area of interesting concepts and ideologies. The Foundations of Leadership course also helped me to realize the importance of recognizing a leader within ourselves and also, in our students, and in everyone that we interact with on a daily basis. Digital literacy course helped me to view technology as a more personal, and enriching tool that’s highly flexible, providing a medium for much creativity and possibilities for self-expression, and for teaching purposes. The Principles of Learning course helped me to define and focus my areas of interest, as well as provided me with an on-going repository for reference materials on many of the theories, theorists, and terms, which I was able to access throughout the M. Ed. Program. The Social and Cultural Context of Education course helped me to reflect on my identity by analyzing my past experiences, and connecting it to my current self, helping me to better understand some of the unacknowledged issues.
These are some of the more recognizable changes in the thought process that I observed from my learning in the program. However, as with all learning, I find that there are many aspects of my learning that seems to be situated in a subconscious part of myself, which doesn't get acknowledged until the right environment or a trigger of some memory cause it to reveal itself. Sometimes this process may require more reflection and digging in to relate the concepts to my realities. I find that this opportunity to learn in the M. Ed. program a truly privileged part of my life that I appreciate deeply. Learning seems to inspire and motivate me continuously to extend beyond myself.
Moving forward, my goal is to continue learning, perhaps not at the pace that I've been learning in a formalized education program that I have been a part of for the past two years, but still continuing to follow the subject areas that intrigue me. I plan to follow up on "mindfulness", meditation, and other areas of study that interest me. I would like to continue with a digital journal to record and express my findings, thoughts, and impressions as I travel new pathways. The practices of observations, reflection, and critical thinking among others, during the course of my studies, have helped me to build a foundation to direct my way through new pathways, better prepared than ever before.
My sincere gratitude and thanks to the professors at U.O.I.T. All of the courses I had taken at the University helped me immensely to learn, not only in the subject matter, but also in the ways that the subject areas were represented, engaged, and scaffolded. The images that I take away are of the gentle, caring, and very involved professors in their areas of study and much more.