Where am I going?
by Randall Johann
My journey of learning, like a distant logging road, has been a long and winding journey. Within the chapters of my life, I have learned in primary, secondary, undergraduate and graduate educational programs. I have learned through both formal and informal settings, on-the-job training, as an individual and in collaborative formats. Over the years, I have used an abacus, a slide rule, simple calculators through complex plotting handheld computers. I have used fixed library workstations, microfiche, desktop computers, laptop computers, a netbook, an E-reader and PDAs. I have learned to use the Angel, Blackboard, CouseCompass, Moodle and WebCT learning management systems. Increasingly technology has emerged as a primary teaching tool, delivering to me increasing flexibility, far reaching access and rich multimedia to my learning environment. Educational technology has allowed me to learn and grow.
In the past forty years, an amazing transformation has been underway in our society, changing the way we do virtually everything and changing the way we all learn and conduct our daily lives. Reflect with me for a moment about how your life has changed. Do you remember life before cell phones, ATMs, video game consoles, electronic banking and the Internet? How about before BetaMax®, VHS, cable or satellite television, DVDs and distance learning? Wow, what a change!
I have been transformed during this time as well. My educational and experiential journeys have led me to become a new person, a technology leader and a vastly improved educator. I have a better understanding of our educational foundations and a clearer vision of education into the future, along with its potential advantages and opportunities for improvement. In the future, I see my personal development continuing and evolving on a lifelong trek of educational development. With the acceleration of technology itself and the increasing demands for educational efficacy and efficiency, I see my role continuing to grow, producing solutions to our educational challenges and changing societal goals. To effectively attain these objectives I will need to become involved in educational and technology organizations, groups and alliances. We will need to collaborate to build and grow programs aimed at reaching more diverse and distant learners using new methodologies, devices and learning models. Our programs will need to become even more learner centered and flexible allowing for an even wider audience to participate, engage and succeed. I want to be part of the evolution.
I am looking forward to a new position on the faculty of the University of Cincinnati where I will help in the development of distance learning programs for the Bachelor of Science, Fire and Safety Engineering Technology program and the new Masters of Science program, Homeland Security and Emergency Management. I will be able to apply my skills and abilities in new ways, modifying and developing programs, leading the industry in emergency services distance learning. Joining a university faculty will lead me to yet another new chapter of life, learning and growing. I have great anticipation of joining these amazing, great educators and gaining new knowledge and perspectives on learning.
I am carefully considering where and how I will proceed with my education. Currently, I am juggling thoughts of a Masters in Public Health, a Masters in Business Administration, or one of several PhD programs. I am also considering an additional graduate certificate in medical simulation. I have no clarity at this point, although I am sure that I will continue to learn and grow, change and evolve. The one thing in life that is constant is change!
In the past forty years, an amazing transformation has been underway in our society, changing the way we do virtually everything and changing the way we all learn and conduct our daily lives. Reflect with me for a moment about how your life has changed. Do you remember life before cell phones, ATMs, video game consoles, electronic banking and the Internet? How about before BetaMax®, VHS, cable or satellite television, DVDs and distance learning? Wow, what a change!
I have been transformed during this time as well. My educational and experiential journeys have led me to become a new person, a technology leader and a vastly improved educator. I have a better understanding of our educational foundations and a clearer vision of education into the future, along with its potential advantages and opportunities for improvement. In the future, I see my personal development continuing and evolving on a lifelong trek of educational development. With the acceleration of technology itself and the increasing demands for educational efficacy and efficiency, I see my role continuing to grow, producing solutions to our educational challenges and changing societal goals. To effectively attain these objectives I will need to become involved in educational and technology organizations, groups and alliances. We will need to collaborate to build and grow programs aimed at reaching more diverse and distant learners using new methodologies, devices and learning models. Our programs will need to become even more learner centered and flexible allowing for an even wider audience to participate, engage and succeed. I want to be part of the evolution.
I am looking forward to a new position on the faculty of the University of Cincinnati where I will help in the development of distance learning programs for the Bachelor of Science, Fire and Safety Engineering Technology program and the new Masters of Science program, Homeland Security and Emergency Management. I will be able to apply my skills and abilities in new ways, modifying and developing programs, leading the industry in emergency services distance learning. Joining a university faculty will lead me to yet another new chapter of life, learning and growing. I have great anticipation of joining these amazing, great educators and gaining new knowledge and perspectives on learning.
I am carefully considering where and how I will proceed with my education. Currently, I am juggling thoughts of a Masters in Public Health, a Masters in Business Administration, or one of several PhD programs. I am also considering an additional graduate certificate in medical simulation. I have no clarity at this point, although I am sure that I will continue to learn and grow, change and evolve. The one thing in life that is constant is change!