Susan Dick's Teaching Portfolio
Future as a Learner
by
Susan R. Dick
The best way to learn is to teach!
I remember as a child in grade 5 or 6 having the neighbour children over to my parent's house and playing
"school". I would be using the blackboard teaching them math and spelling. One of my friends was in the same
grade and the others were one year younger than we were. My primitive teaching methods and the tools that
went with it continued on to my own teaching career in 2008.
As I embarked on my own future as a part time professor as well as in my Master's program, I began to evolve as
a learner myself. I learned by trial and error in the classroom that the didactic, traditional method of teaching
was not working for my students. I implemented some active learning strategies on my own and found out that
these techniques were being successfully used and encouraged in the college and university classrooms
everywhere. I was teaching but realistically I was the one learning and adapting to my students.
The courses I began to take within my MAED program reinforced the changes I was making in the classroom and
made me understand why things were working. I had more tools in my toolbox and teaching was becoming
enjoyable for me as well as the class. I have never been able to get enough knowledge and now that seems even
more prominent. My desire for learning is increasing at an incredible rate.
I enjoy professional development courses both at work and at the College, as well as anything else I can take to
increase my knowledge. My main area of concentration at work is collision investigation. I have been around to
see changes from measuring tapes to transits and from hand drawn diagrams to computer generated three
dimensional re-enactments. Technology is everywhere; we have cell phones, lap tops, in car computers and
tablets to assist us in our work. We have opportunities to take courses on things outside of our area of expertise
and here there is even different technology like DNA testing, enhanced photography, blood splatter and bullet
trajectory experts. These things complement and corroborate our investigations.
I enjoy both formal and informal education, the fact is, the more knowledge I get the more I crave it! I am not
afraid to try new avenues and that is why I pursued this online approach for my Master's degree. This is not
the traditional method for a Graduate Program but that was not even a possibility for me because of my
shiftwork schedule.
Initially, I looked at some of the "for profit" Universities because I did not realize what the difference was. I
investigated thoroughly and wanted to make sure the University that I chose was a quality University that was
well respected for their academic accreditation. For me, the introduction of technology and its use in the
classroom was fairly new. Since I had chosen Michigan State for my Certificate Program I had come to realize
that it was by no means easier to take a course online. In fact, if anything, it was more difficult because not
only does one have to be self-disciplined to complete it, if there is a problem it is not as easy to “talk to
the Professor”.
From the vantage point of a Professor or teacher it is very difficult to create a really good online program that
engages students and keeps them interested. Although I am by no means an expert I do feel more comfortable
using technology and having that conversation with my students now that I have experienced this online
education. It is inevitable that different technologies will be used in the classroom and I am thankful I have been
able to adapt. I believe that this MAED online program is comparable to any other Master’s program on campus or
hybrid. I have felt that the student and professor interaction has been incredible through the chat, discussion,
e- mail and Skype avenues. I do not feel as though my education has been compromised in any way. I have
learned to hyperlink, use Prezi, and make a webpage and an online portfolio! My technological knowledge has
increased considerably.
As I reflect I can't help wondering what is next? I know that my journey is by no means over, as I look to the future
I am already thinking about the possibility of doing a PhD or another Master's degree. If I am still in my current
profession it will also have to be online or a hybrid program. I know I want to continue with my teaching so I can
keep learning however; I am excited to take some time to implement the many things I have learned and reflect on
what works best in my classroom prior to the next chapter in my educational journey. I am also going to
continue to take as many professional development courses as I can both in my profession as well as at the
College. I will try to utilize the many online techniques in my own program planning for future courses. One
thing I have already talked to my students about is preparing their own online e-portfolio. The students have
an e-portfolio tool on the College records management system. I will encourage them to complete their own
portfolio’s to assist them in their future endeavours. Finally, I will continue to take courses that integrate
technology so that I can continue to learn and stay current. One might say the future is just the beginning.