Lifelong Learning Statement
My Lifelong Learning Journey
The continued digitization of workplaces and effective work practices has created a need for employees in all fields to possess digital skills and soft skills as learning and work are increasingly mediated by technology (Poquet & de Laat, 2021). In higher education, institutions have a responsibility to not only transfer knowledge to students but also prepare them for the fields they are going to be entering after their graduation. This preparation should include digital skills and soft skills. Professionals in educational technology at the higher education level need to continually learn and build on their knowledge of emerging technologies, instructional design, and pedagogy in order to help prepare faculty to teach digital and soft skills in their courses.
With the continual advancement in technology and evolving workplace practices, professionals need to be able to adapt with these changes. Adapting to these changes involves real-life problem-solving and goal-oriented action that can be achieved and enhanced through ongoing learning. Constructivist learning theory is a valuable approach to this type of workplace learning because learners are building upon what they already know with new information (Mohammed & Kinyo, 2020).
Over the past five years, I have engaged in over 150 hours of professional development per year in the form of conferences, workshops, teaching preparation, and more. I plan to continue to engage in specific professional development activities and other learning opportunities based on specific projects I might be working on this next year. Three specific examples of this are:
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- Adobe MAX Conference. Each year, the Adobe MAX conference brings creatives together to celebrate creativity, network, and develop digital skills. At this conference, I will attend several sessions and workshops that will help enhance my skills in Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro, as well as, learn more about the ways artificial intelligence can improve workflows and creativity.
- EDUCAUSE Conference. This year will be my first year to attend this conference. This will be a great opportunity to learn from leading professionals in higher education and technology in the areas of innovation and emerging technologies, and teaching and learning.
- EdD in Organizational Leadership: Learning with Emerging Technologies. As I continue to progress in the EdD in Organizational Leadership doctoral program through ACU Dallas, it is my goal to complete my dissertation research by the summer of 2025. Reading through current research and being able to contribute to the research in the area of AI and Christian higher education is exciting.
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I value ongoing professional development because I know I have so much room to grow, and I can be a valuable contributor to those that I work with. I believe that gaining a wide range of knowledge and skills helps to build a foundation for someone to confidently build upon that knowledge or skills when needed. Throughout my life, I have had an idea of what I was going to do as a career, but when a change was needed and my life pivoted in a different direction, I was able to jump into new roles with less stress and more confidence because of the learning opportunities and professional development I had engaged in.
I am committed to engaging in learning opportunities, seeking knowledge, building hard skills and soft skills, and expanding my experience throughout my career. I am committed to my own personal and professional growth for my benefit and for the benefit of those I work with.
References
Mohammed, S., & Kinyo, L. (2020). Constructivist theory as a foundation for the utilization of digital technology in the lifelong learning process. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 21(4), 90-109.
Poquet, O., & de Laat, M. (2021). Developing capabilities: Lifelong learning in the age of AI. British Journal of Educational Technology, 52, 1695-1708. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13123