In order to get better on track in my life and in my program of study, I am listing everythig I can think of that I need to address in my ILLP objectives and accomplishments. Below are the 7 areas of competencies addressed in the EDD with my personal achievements, deficiencies, and objectives to be reached in each area. Also, at the end I've listed a few projects/innovations I am working on and would like to include in this process.
Learning -
As I said to Dr. Petzko when I first met her at the informational meetings (tryouts) for the program, "I love to learn." I feel compelled to figure things out, to find projects just beyond my reach and learn what I need to accomplish them. It has been very interesting for me to go back now and learn more about cognitive development and the many ways of knowing, thinking, doing. Learning more about Learning has helped me understand more about myself, how I learn and what motivates me, and has opened my eyes to the myriad ways in which other people learn.
During this year or so of being in the EDD program I have learned about my leadership abilities and have determined several areas in which I need to grow mentioned below. Also I have gained insight into my personality and communication styles and I am learning to be more group-oriented. Along with working in a cohort and in smaller groups I am learning when leadership is useful and when it isn't. A big part of what I'm learning here is when to speak out and when to shut up.
Past/Current/Future Experiences: My past experiences in learning include my two undergraduate degrees in Sociology and Environmental Science, my Master's in English: Writing, and this program of course. However, much of what I feel I've learned over the years is in much smaller chunks: software packages, HTML, Flash, etc. Another area I feel proficient in is troubleshooting advanced systems, such as our Distance Learning classrooms, but also other audio/visual and computer installations on campus. Finally, as I mentioned before, I am learning a great deal from the leadership roles I am involved with mentioned below.
Assessment -
This is an area in which I have less experience than others, but I feel I am learning a great deal about just by being back in school, as well as from Dr. Bernard's course this summer on Educational Assessment.
Experiences: I have written and received funding for a wide variety of grants which have all required assessment and feedback. Usually guidelines for this type of reporting are provided and the assessments are very simple and straightforward--How many students were served by this grant? How effective was it in meeting its stated objectives.
In Dr. Miller's Program Evaluation course we tore apart an evaluation plan for the UTC Educational Opportunity Center and re-wrote their evaluation plan which I shared with the director of that program after the assignment. Also, Jim Hicks and myself are planning a program evaluation of the student media programs at UTC to be completed this Fall and reported out on in January 07.
Program Evaluation of student media at UTC: I developed a plan and instruments to use in evaluating the Student Media program at UTC. Jim Hicks and I will be completing this jointly as part of our development and ILLP portfolios.
Research -
This is another area in which I need to grow more knowledgeable. I have to say that my ultimate goal is not to be a researcher, but I certainly want to be able to critically analyze results of exisiting and ongoing research and to conduct research and report my findings in a scholarly fashion.
Experiences: As an undergraduate student I performed a survey of attitudes toward environmental issues among students at UTC. I collected data from a 5% random sample of students and reported correlations by different demographic variables.
I have advised various faculty on uses of video and other technology in research performed at UTC. The most interesting one I can recall is a study conducted by Dr. Ross from UTC Psychology who put together a test about courtroom biases in cases involving alleged molestation charges. The variables were whether a child testified in the courtroom, live via closed circuit television, or did not testify. These scenarios were shot from the point of view of jurors and at the end the subject cast his or her judgement. I do not recall the findings but I will try to pull them up..
During Dr. Davis and Dr. Bernard's Research course I developed a research plan which I am still somewhat intent on following for my dissertation, though major revisions are needed.
Technology -
I am more confident in this competency than any of the others. I think I am wired to understand and to want to understand technology. I also feel that I am adept and brdiging the gap between the true techies and the end-users. This has been invaluable in comforting and facilitating faculty with various technology resources on this campus.
Experiences: From the department of Distance Learning under UTC Continuing Education I have learned a great deal about using two-way interactive videoconferencing as well as many asynchronous means of facilitating learning at a distance.
My experience from directing the activities of the UTC TV Studio have helped in this competency as well. From designing this facility from the ground up and plenty of tinkering and reengineering there over the years, I know the place like the back of my hand. I have also grown proficient in writing scripts, shooting, editing, and basically all facets of television production. A demo reel of my work at the studio is forthcoming.
I have several letters from clients over the years that help to document my expertise with various technology applications.
History/Enterprise/Ethics -
Other than having been in and around educational institutions almost all my life, I have note reflected on this area until my first series of courses in the EDD program taught by Dr. Petzko and Dr. Bartoo on Leadership and Ethics. I am more aware now of ethical dilemmas that exist everywhere in life, particularly conflicts of interest that occur in the workplace.
I also have a keen interest in "digital ethics," copyright laws vs. fair use, and intellectual property rights. I feel that we are in a state of transition with new digital media rights and many laws may be changing in coming years. Certainly it is harder than ever to make clear-cut decisions about what can and can't be done with digital resources.
I also have an interest in what is permissible and pertinent in the curriculum of college courses, particularly in the area of academic freedom. Our nation being more divided than ever between liberals and conservatives, I think the college classroom and allegations of professors trying to influence students will be more and more common. My question is, Are our faculty here to teach in their subject areas or to open student's minds to a variety of ideas and concepts from all areas? To what extent do we still follow the trdadtional liberal arts model of a college campus?
Experiences: EDD 710/720 Educational Leadership and Ethics
Deficiencies: I feel that I do not have a broad understanding of the history of educational enterprise and would like to take some type of foundational courses as electives to this end. Also, because one possible career path I might take is forming a non-profit organization, I would like to take some Public Admin courses focused on Non-profits, particularly POLS 534, leadership preparation for non-profits.
Instruction -
I have been teaching as an adjunct professor for the UTC Communication department since 1999. This experience has given me tremendous opportunites for growth in various areas of competency, but has largely allowed me to hone my skills as an instructor. I would consider myself more a a facilitator and adhere to a fairly constructivist view of learning, however I realize there are many instrucational and curricular models that are useful to me as an instructor.
When it comes down to it, I feel that learning is best facilitated when students NEED the information or competencies from a course, and when they are actually DOING something with the information or processes they are learning about. I LOVE what I teach and only wish I had more time to work with the students one-on-one.
Experiences: Adjunct faculty at UTC and serving as a faculty advisor for various programs and student groups or projects including the Student Film Club and Mocs News.
Serving as a mentor for High School students interested in television, video, or film.
Bible classes - I have been teaching various classes at my church for the past 15 years.
Leadership -
This is an area in which I feel blindly confident, in that I often find myself in leadership positions, either due to a vacuum that needed filled, or I just can't say no when called upon. I have a style of leadership that often works well, but needs tremendous improvement. I am a servant leader to a fault, meaning, I sometimes need to force myself to step back and delegate, rather than just doing everything myself, or feeling bad about assigning difficult and sometimes uninteresting tasks to subordinates. However, I do like to motivate others by empowering them to make decisions and be creative wherever possible and tyring to support whatever ideas are generated by others and incorporating them even if I would rather do it my way. I'm learning that my way isn't always that much better than anyone else's.
Experiences: My resume lists a bit of my leadership, but here are a few items that are not mentioned:
Chattanooga Film Commission - Local projects committee, focused on helping local filmmakers produce projects and to introduce people to filmmaking.
Faculty advising - for Mocs News and various independent study projects.
Missions Committee - determine areas of need in church mission work and have visited various countries to make informed recommendations about works underway.
UTC Television master plan: I am working on a plan to improve and expand the services provided by the UTC Television Studio which includes a fairly radical leadership and and organizational design. This may include an evaluation of the existing organization and assessment of campus needs. More to come.
Deficiencies: I need to develop in the area of management and supervision and would like to take Dr. Allen's BMGT 584 course as an elective and possibly another course in this area.