Reflection on Graduate Experience

A Reflection on my Graduate Experience

As I began this degree program I wondered if perhaps I had waited too long into my career to pursue an advanced degree in technology. Since I completed my bachelor’s degree I have taken numerous classes dealing with subject that interested me at the time and I have constantly been teaching myself new skills or working to improve skills that I already have. I consider myself to be a lifelong learner and I have been a firm believer in the observation made by Eric Hoffer that in times of change learners inherit the earth; while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists. (Hoffer 1951) This observation is absolutely the situation many people find themselves in at the end of the first decade of the 21st century. My ability to successfully complete this degree program shows me that I am still very much the learner.
Something that I have wondered about for several years is whether I would enjoy participating in an online learning environment. If I am going to be a technology leader and innovator on my campus and in my district, it is important to me that I have participated in the learning environment that I am asking my students to join. This program has proven to me that I can perform well in this learning environment and I am convinced that there is a genuine application for this type of learning not only in secondary and post secondary education but used correctly there will be opportunities for the upper elementary levels as well.
As an early adopter of technology, I have been using technology in my classrooms for many years. When I left the classroom I was well prepared to take on technology training for my campus and my district. I have always tried to keep up to date with the current technology in use and I feel that being current has given me the ability to present training to my students and to my colleagues in a manner that they can learn and make it relevant to them. Another advantage that I feel that I have is my age and experience. Many teachers feel that a trainer with more experience can do a better job of training. What is the commercial says about having a little grey hair – it shows that I have the experience and the knowledge to do the job. I have been told by people who have attended trainings that I have presented that they know that I am enjoying myself and that I feel that this training is important. (J. Stutzman personal communication March 2010) I am quite sure that I could not continue to do the job that I am doing if I did not feel that it was important to my students and colleagues and if I did not enjoy what I was doing.


Eric Hoffer, (1951), The True Believer, New York: Harper and Row