This blog was birthed from a school assignment. Yep. That's right. You've been reading my homework!
And since the course is coming to a close, I feel I should let you all know what the program has been about and maybe give a little shout-out to the post-secondary institution that spawned all this blogging magic.
I'm currently enrolled in the Vancouver Community College (VCC) School of Instructor Education. Specifically, I'm working on my BC Provincial Instructors Diploma. Now, don't let the name fool you - either the "BC" part or the "Diploma" tag. This program is offered and carries relevance beyond beautiful British Columbia's borders, and "Diploma" hardly does justice to the relevance, rigor, and practical nature of the program. Here is where you learn all about adult education, from its foundations to its effective practice.
I've been impressed by the diversity of classmates - people from the trades, people who are in corporate training, teachers who are already teaching but whose institutions insist they go through the certification, and all kinds of professionals looking for a career change. The range of participants and the longevity of the program is evidence (to me, anyway) of the good practices and reflective methods the program fosters.
If you're curious what piques the curiosity of students like us, I'd suggest checking out the VCC School of Instructor Education Facebook page. There are piles of resources for adult educators relating to all sorts of aspects of teaching and learning, from student engagement techniques to assessment strategies and tips for web-based tools that translate well to the classroom. Lots of good stuff there!
Or if you're curious about the program itself, the participant's handbook is a great resource.
Now, this really wasn't meant to be such a shameless plug, but what can one do but stop typing?
And on that note...
Annika, you have been such a big part of our learning in this course. Where do you find the time and energy. I just wanted to say thank you.
ReplyDeleteYour comments and forum postings always made us go a bit deeper. And your original posts prompted discussion.
You are on fire for teaching and learning.
Keep your passion alive and all the best in the future.
Thanks so much for this, Ryan. I'm blown away! It's so strange, interacting online, and it's hard to tell how people take your comments or thoughts, so to hear from you is wonderfully reassuring. Honestly, I *didn't* have the time or energy some weeks, but I was selective in what discussions I got involved in so that I could be thoughtful in my responses or postings.
DeleteTo give you a little feedback, your was one of my favourite blogs - no link-dumping on your page, that's for sure! You gave each of your posts a personal and professional framework, and the context made all the difference. All the best as you continue on.
Robert in 3240. I was intrigued that your profile says you reside in the North West Territories. I guess that's the reason for the ice blue backing colour for your blog. Very apropos. Contrast that with the pic of a camel and I was hooked.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the PIDP is like no other diploma program I've become familiar with. Describing the program as relevant, rigorous and challenging may be an understatement. Check out some of the blogs my colleagues and I have created in 3240. Mine is at http://regidlethoughts.blogspot.ca/