The more I think, the more I am coming to terms with what I want to research, but I am still not completely convinced, here is a recap of where I think I might head:
How can digital learning pedagogy drive curricular change in a meaningful way? More specifically, how can educators employ student centred learning strategies using technology as the driving force, while ensuring that actual learning takes place considering the immaturity of secondary students, when compared to adult learners. What sort of shift does there need to be in teaching practice and training for this to effectively occur? Finally, how can we devise a method that accounts for future change and technological advances.
My aim in taking this program was to see what educational opportunities lay within the field of education, but exisited outside of the classroom. Since I have dedicated my teaching career to upskilling in all things e-learning, I also hope to pursue something related to this aspect of the field of education once I am finished. Living and working in Colombia for the time being, most of my friends are either other teachers, or digital nomads and the lifestyle of this latter group interests me. So, I am now beginning to sew the seeds that will hopefully begin my transition out of the classroom, this is of course if my home brewing business does not take off in the meantime!
I have begun looking into digital and social media marketing and branding to learn about how I will sell my skills in my post masters/post classroom life. I am trying to start more of a digital presence, and network as much as I can. I hope to publish what I create, at the very least on my own website, and perhaps, (depending on the tack I take) design a professional development program around what I end up researching that I can then offer to various educational institutions. My hope also, is that international borders, will not be much of an issue. I would love to be published in a reputable journal, but if I am honest with myself at this stage in my life, I am exhausted and not feeling super confident about writing something worthy of such acclaim, but it is early days in the research process, I guess we will see. Another question here is, how does one get himself published?
Compounding all of this is the fact that I still don’t really know enough about how to market myself professionally, or how to design something that people will want to employ. I am hoping that by leaning on my network in the coming months, and asking lots of questions to people who hopefully have some answers for me, the picture will come into focus.
