From Educational Technology .....to Arts and Crafts!

By: Rachael Hilliker

 

As she sips her morning coffee and peers out of the window in her cozy yurt, she smiles as she watches an alpaca nudge her cria to take a step. She glances over at the chickens pecking their way through their fresh pasture. She wonders how much honey she will harvest this year and whether or not she remembered to upgrade the shopping cart widget on her latest version of wordpress. It would be a shame for her farm to lose any money over a silly thing like a widget. She takes a deep breath and begins her work day.

 

First, I need to check my email. A few clients are requesting major layout and content changes to their web sites so it appears I'll be scoping out that work and getting out some quotes. Another client is asking for a new module to be added to the online course I developed for them.  I'll add that to my "to do" list. A local teacher has requested I help her come up with a new lesson plan that utilizes some web 2.0 tools she isn't very familiar with. I'll have to make an in person appointment with her for later this week. I can see the bottom of my coffee mug. I need a refill.

 

During cup of java two she notices that an email from a listserv on community food has arrived. They are offering a MOOC on permaculture. Sign me up!  I can never get enough tips on how to recycle my leftover surplus that doesn't sell.  At the bottom of the email she notices that the non-profit offering the MOOC has a link to their website. She clicks it. The content is a little outdated. She sends them a quick email asking if they are interested in a quote to revamp their site. It's 7am and the goats need milking. Break time.

 

Now that the goats are happy she can get on with her day. She catches the latest articles on Edutopia for a few minutes. She is hoping to find some inspiration for the Junior Makerspace she started at the local elementary. Sometimes it is a lot of work to plan monthly workshops but the kids are always so excited for their next hack that she keeps planning. Planning. Oops. I need to plan out my presentation for the upcoming "marketing your farm with technology today" class I'm teaching. She realizes that farmers don't usually have a lot of time to learn how to use various technology tools. However, when they do make time for it they have to get as much information as possible that is manageable to take home and put into action. I need a slide with my contact info, blog address and cell number. I need another slide with resources. I have to remember to show them how to upload videos to YouTube and add a feed to their website with a widget or embed them directly. Everyone loves new videos of baby farm animals. Coffee is gone. I better not have another cup. My sun tea should be ready. I need to go outside and check on the animals anyway.

 

As she compiles the quotes for the web site renovations, she feels the afternoon breeze move through her hair. It is supposed to rain heavily today. She hopes that the new field they planted makes it through the potential flooding. Farming is a constant learning experience. Just like technology. Both are always changing and there are hiccups along the way. She remembers how she felt soon after achieving her master’s degree. Keeping an open mind and having a willingness to learn is important. If you live your life expecting there to be a smooth path you will be very surprised by the bumps in the road. If you live your life expecting those bumps they will just seem like a normal part of the terrain-the parts that make it an adventure. Learning occurs all around us. We learn from children as much as they learn from us. We learn from animals, nature, our peers, etc. We learn even when we don't realize there is a lesson taking place. We also teach others, especially children, when we aren't aware.

 

Formal education is great; and so far I have enjoyed the experience. Applying the knowledge I have learned during this time is an opportunity I hope I will one day have. However, the specific knowledge I have gained due to studying educational technology has been applicable in many other scenarios. I don't have to be an educational technologist to apply what I have learned in this program. I don't have to have a position that even focuses on technology or education. I could have a position doing almost anything and apply the knowledge I have gained about learning with and through technology, web site design, leadership with technology, creativity in teaching and learning and so on. This knowledge does not define nor limit my future. The learning process doesn't end when my last class in the program is finished. Applying what I have learned to my everyday life will continue. Understanding and observing the applied knowledge outside of the classroom is, in my opinion, where the opportunities to learn will grow exponentially.