Casting Off - Visualizing the Journey
The brook led to a lake, as I soon realized that in order to further investigate and shape my philosophy of educational technology I would have to cast out and explore various waterways.
In ETEC 500, I had the opportunity to begin my journey by first perusing sources within my literature review, with the purpose of reflecting on learning spaces and processes that reflect holistic practices within online environments.This led to understanding the importance of research within this MET program, which served as an important base for all future courses. In my research proposal: Fostering an Holistic Approach to Online Learning within Higher Education, I first explored the connection between a holistic approach and learning, and discovered that many educators and theorists researched this subject. (Bierema,1996; Cranton & Wright 2008; 2006; Mannion, 2001; Merriam & Caffarella, 2006; Tisdell &Tolliver, 2003; Wang & Sarbo, 2004) These researchers also expressed the need to provide the learner with a space that fosters transformational learning.The findings from my research proposal acted as a dock from which to cast off on my learning journey, to further explore how higher-learning online environments inform learning.