Personal Educational Philosophy and Goals
I have always enjoyed learning and taking classes and I take comfort from being in an academic environment on a daily basis. As a faculty member at an institution of higher learning, one of my responsibilities is to encourage students that learning is important at all stages of life; one way I can show the students I come into contact with that I take education seriously is by taking classes myself. That I find learning and taking classes fun is a bonus!
Another of my goals in pursuing this particular degree, Educational Technology, is to learn how I can improve my use of technology to not only make my own educational experiences more effective, but also to improve the learning experiences of the students and faculty I interact with, particularly those who are involved in distance learning, my area of specialization within the library.
Reflection on Experience in ETEC Program
Unlike most of my cohort, ETEC is my second master's degree; I also work full-time in a university library. Therefore, I was well acquainted with the workload, type of assignments, and academic environment of a graduate-level program. I have experienced copious amounts of reading, preparation and planning, drafting and editing and re-drafting, due dates, and more reading.
I have experienced having some latitude on assignments and the necessity of being creative. Of feeling like I’ve accomplished something worthwhile only to be crushed and awed by the amazing creation of a classmate.
I have experienced putting a lot of work into an idea only to come crashing to a halt with the realization that I’ve been traveling in the wrong direction and now need to jettison everything I’ve done to start again on a different path.
I have experienced working with groups of people who mesh together, each member's abilities complimenting another person's deficiency, each person pulling his or her own weight, each going a little farther than strictly necessary to achieve the common goal. Conversely, I am familiar with groups where the work is difficult, complicated by those who don't contribute or who hinder by delays, where the results are sub-standard and leave me discontented.
Frustration and satisfaction. Excitement and agitation. Achievement and failure.
I experienced all this and more. And these experiences will go forward with me as I take what I learned and continue on my journey of academic service and lifelong learning.
Another of my goals in pursuing this particular degree, Educational Technology, is to learn how I can improve my use of technology to not only make my own educational experiences more effective, but also to improve the learning experiences of the students and faculty I interact with, particularly those who are involved in distance learning, my area of specialization within the library.
Reflection on Experience in ETEC Program
Unlike most of my cohort, ETEC is my second master's degree; I also work full-time in a university library. Therefore, I was well acquainted with the workload, type of assignments, and academic environment of a graduate-level program. I have experienced copious amounts of reading, preparation and planning, drafting and editing and re-drafting, due dates, and more reading.
I have experienced having some latitude on assignments and the necessity of being creative. Of feeling like I’ve accomplished something worthwhile only to be crushed and awed by the amazing creation of a classmate.
I have experienced putting a lot of work into an idea only to come crashing to a halt with the realization that I’ve been traveling in the wrong direction and now need to jettison everything I’ve done to start again on a different path.
I have experienced working with groups of people who mesh together, each member's abilities complimenting another person's deficiency, each person pulling his or her own weight, each going a little farther than strictly necessary to achieve the common goal. Conversely, I am familiar with groups where the work is difficult, complicated by those who don't contribute or who hinder by delays, where the results are sub-standard and leave me discontented.
Frustration and satisfaction. Excitement and agitation. Achievement and failure.
I experienced all this and more. And these experiences will go forward with me as I take what I learned and continue on my journey of academic service and lifelong learning.
Short Resume
1991 - Bachelor of Arts in English - University of Hawaii at Manoa
2001 - Master of Library and Information Science - University of Hawaii at Manoa
2006-2010 - 34 credits in English, History, Mathematics - University of Hawaii at Hilo (just for fun!)
2011-present - enrolled in Online Master of Education in Educational Technology - University of Hawaii at Manoa
2011 - Awarded Tenure
2011 - Promoted to Librarian III
Public Services / Distance Learning Librarian
Mookini Library, serving both the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College
2006-present
Duties include providing library support for faculty, students, and staff by:
Assisting patrons at the reference desk on a daily basis
Providing individual reference support by appointment
Conducting classes in research techniques in a variety of subject areas
Serving as liaison for distance learning faculty and students
Collection development for:
Astronomy, Biology, Environmental Science, Geology, Geography, History, Marine Science, Physics
Library marketing projects (signage, presentations, handouts)
Collaborating on the design and maintenance of the library's website
Serving on Library, University, and UH System committees
Academic Support Librarian
Mookini Library, serving both the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College
December 2004 – June 2005 (part-time)
Duties Included:
Mookini Library website maintenance and creation of new pages
Collection development for Astronomy, Physics, Nursing, new Pharmacy program
Preparation of Library‟s Annual Report for FY 2002-2003
Gathered and submitted statistics for ACRL and NCES surveys
Maintenance of Library‟s proxy server and links to databases
Special projects: gift book selections, weeding, signage
Acting Head Librarian
University of Hawai„i Institute for Astronomy
June 2003 – August 2004
Duties Included:
Research support for faculty, post-doctoral researchers, engineers, and graduate students in Manoa, Hilo, Kula
Document retrieval and delivery
Collection acquisitions and management
Supervised assistant librarian
Implemented IfA Library Weblog (http://www.blogspot.ifalibrary.com)
HLA Annual Conference Presentations
2010 - “Using Laulima to Improve and Assess Library Instruction” (co-presenter)
2009 - “Displays Made Easy” (co-presenter)
2005 - “Blog, Blogger, Blogging” (co-presenter)
2004 - “Disaster Planning for Libraries”
2001 - Master of Library and Information Science - University of Hawaii at Manoa
2006-2010 - 34 credits in English, History, Mathematics - University of Hawaii at Hilo (just for fun!)
2011-present - enrolled in Online Master of Education in Educational Technology - University of Hawaii at Manoa
2011 - Awarded Tenure
2011 - Promoted to Librarian III
Public Services / Distance Learning Librarian
Mookini Library, serving both the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College
2006-present
Duties include providing library support for faculty, students, and staff by:
Assisting patrons at the reference desk on a daily basis
Providing individual reference support by appointment
Conducting classes in research techniques in a variety of subject areas
Serving as liaison for distance learning faculty and students
Collection development for:
Astronomy, Biology, Environmental Science, Geology, Geography, History, Marine Science, Physics
Library marketing projects (signage, presentations, handouts)
Collaborating on the design and maintenance of the library's website
Serving on Library, University, and UH System committees
Academic Support Librarian
Mookini Library, serving both the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College
December 2004 – June 2005 (part-time)
Duties Included:
Mookini Library website maintenance and creation of new pages
Collection development for Astronomy, Physics, Nursing, new Pharmacy program
Preparation of Library‟s Annual Report for FY 2002-2003
Gathered and submitted statistics for ACRL and NCES surveys
Maintenance of Library‟s proxy server and links to databases
Special projects: gift book selections, weeding, signage
Acting Head Librarian
University of Hawai„i Institute for Astronomy
June 2003 – August 2004
Duties Included:
Research support for faculty, post-doctoral researchers, engineers, and graduate students in Manoa, Hilo, Kula
Document retrieval and delivery
Collection acquisitions and management
Supervised assistant librarian
Implemented IfA Library Weblog (http://www.blogspot.ifalibrary.com)
HLA Annual Conference Presentations
2010 - “Using Laulima to Improve and Assess Library Instruction” (co-presenter)
2009 - “Displays Made Easy” (co-presenter)
2005 - “Blog, Blogger, Blogging” (co-presenter)
2004 - “Disaster Planning for Libraries”