Graduate Course One, Class Introductions - ETEC-524
Introduction
This was the first graduate course introduction for me. When I committed to returning to school during the pandemic. I was apprehensive and eager to begin school in the spring of 2021. I was proud of myself for choosing the education program to study because I love technology and academics. Ten months into the pandemic and working full-time remotely for a large college district was unreal, but then I decided to select an online program of study through TAMUC, where I would study 100% of this program online. I could never imagine working and doing school remotely full-time daily, but here I was doing both! Good day Everyone,
My name is Ami (with an “i”) Stovall. I have worked at Dallas College (formerly Dallas County Community College District) in many capacities since 1999, but currently, as an Information Technology Specialist in Accessibility, a newly created department that I was one of three asked to set up and implement as of January 2020. Two months later, unbeknownst to anyone, this position very quickly became vital to everyone in our district as we were all forced to go to online learning due to COVID-19. I began working at Dallas College – Richland Campus (formerly Richland College) while completing my associate in science Degree there. Then I transferred to the University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis on Health, Education, and Science. After being out of school for 18 years now, I have enrolled in the Educational Technology Leadership master’s degree program, and this is my first course, which is a requirement. I am single and live in Rockwall, Texas, with my two learning mascots (house cats), Chance and Tom. I hope to learn many new things about educational technology that will help me keep up with technology as it relates to learning environments so that I can improve my current technology skills to assist better those I work for and with at my academic institution beyond.
What do you THINK you know about educational technology? Simply put, it is the use of technology in the learning environment which can help students learn and help instructors track students learning, among many other uses, processes, and resources.
What PUZZLEs you, or what questions do you have about educational technology? Is there enough appropriate support for the teachers and students using technology in the academic environment? How can technology be used to equip teachers better to facilitate and enhance the learning environment for the students? Does technology really have a place in some learning environments subjects such as math, physics, and chemistry? How can we minimize and/or limit the learning curve when learning the technology that will be used in the classroom so that we can keep up with the learning of the subject matter without struggling through the technology tools used to learn those subjects? I am curious.
How might you EXPLORE those puzzles or questions? I intend to take advantage of this learning environment that I am currently in at T.A.M.U.C. In addition, I ask questions when I do not understand or know something, do research, learn/explore through doing and trying, getting feedback from my peers and students I learn/work with. I will also try things, evaluate how they go, and adjust the things I have already tried…. I am open. I look forward to learning with you all this semester.
Respectfully, Ami
Reflections
As I reflect on where life was just two short years ago and where I am today, there have been a lot of changes. First, I am finishing the final two courses of my graduate degree this semester! I married for the first time at 51, on 02/02/2022, groundhogs' day. I moved from Rockwall to Ennis, Texas, where we built a new home together. I now have three learning mascots, my two cats, and my husband and I adopted a Goldendoodle puppy named Denver shortly after we married. After completing the Dallas College district major reorganization and restructuring, I transferred to a new home office from the LeCroy Center, where I officed for thirteen years, back to campus life at Cedar Valley campus, which is closer to my home. Now, I work two days a week at the Cedar Valley campus and three days a week remotely from home. How quickly time flies when you are actively living, learning, and making the most of this life amazes me. As this last semester of graduate school passes, I am glad I continued my education. More importantly, I am academically satisfied with the University and the graduate program I chose to study in. Dr. Dondlinger, Dr. Bigenho, Dr. Francis, and the other professors I studied under facilitated outstanding, challenging, and meaningful learning experiences I will take with me throughout my life and future endeavors!