Competency 4: Think Critically and Reflectively

Artifacts:
1. EDCI 51300 Initial/Revised Educational Technology Definitions
2. EDCI 51300 Individual Paper-Corporate Knowledge Management

Artifacts assignment detail (provided by the instructor):

REFLECT: Post your reflection (in the Week 8 Discussion board) that addresses
the following:

Individual paper summary - Briefly discuss the title and abstract of your
paper. Also reflect on the writing process.

Revised definition of educational technology - Post a revised definition of

educational technology. The definition should be concise and can be
about 2 3 sentences. Has your definition of the field changed since we
discussed in the beginning of the semester?

Reflection - What do you think is the most important lesson(s) you learned
from this course? How did this course and peers help you learn the
lessons? What are some areas, topics, and questions you would like to
further investigate? (Feel free to post a video or audio message where
you reflect on your lessons learned!)

Artifact Overview:
These artifacts were course-ending assignments that requested we research an
Educational Technology subject and to then reflect on our insights into the
discipline and its larger application.
Competency 4a
Develops a personal vision of inclusive educational practice
During this Revised Educational Technology Definitions exercise, I recall piecing
together many parts of the field and my career. I was already in the Learning and
Development field and knew that I wanted to understand more of it. However,
we sometimes need reinforcements to validate our decisions in life. It was during
this reflection that I started cohering experiences with formal training provided
by this program. It is hard to explain, but technically, many schemas built about

the subject began to merge. This constructive result has helped solidify my
personal vision for this educational practice.

Competency 4b
Describes the relationship between Educational Technology and the broader field of
Education
To demonstrate this sub-competency, I will need to pull from both of the artifacts
listed above. The Educational Technology Definitions and the Final Paper for EDCI
51300. While we are not supposed to use the same paper twice, the Final Paper
is only serving as a reference for subject matter discussed in the Educational
Technology Definitions artifact.
As the primary source for this competency, the Educational Technology
Definitions artifact, I discussed how the subject matter for my final paper
(Knowledge Management) fell under a larger discipline (Organizational
Learning). It is this connection that I demonstrate the relationship between
Educational Technology and its broader field. Specifically, I stated: I began
researching Knowledge Management and during, I discovered that this discipline
falls under a broader subject, Organizational Learning. Without the precursor for
the need to learn, knowledge would not be obtained and the aspect of managing
knowledge would be moot.
This reference is the foundation for my 51300 Final Paper. To complete the
demonstration of connecting the discipline to the broader field, my Purpose
Statement will provide this summation, In my experience, most corporate
organizations struggle with managing their processes, value-add knowledge, and
disseminating critical information to-and-from their staff. The intent of this paper
is to understand the concepts behind Organizational Learning as it relates to
Knowledge Management, some of the challenges organizations face with
Knowledge Management, and how they can use Instructional Design strategies
to overcome.

Competency 4c
Critically evaluates theory and practice
For this, I will reference back to the Educational Technology Definitions artifact.
In it, we were asked to revisit our initial Educational Technology definition and
modify it per the lessons learned in the class. To demonstrate my critical thinking
of the discipline and practice, I discovered a few key terms and perspectives that
were left out. This is discussed in my artifact. The key reference is So, to revise,
I would now say that Educational Technology is The technology and
methodologies that allows Instructional Designers to analyze organizational

learning opportunities, develop solutions to these opportunities, design products

and scalable knowledge solutions using digital resources, implement, and
evaluate in an analytical fashion. I included the word organizational to the
concept of analyze and scalable knowledge solutions to the concept of design.

Continued Learning
Critical thinking is a skill that I have a lot of experience with. Having spent over
twenty-years in the business world, and many of those in management, I am
well-conditioned to do so. However, I am not very strong with reflection. While I
find myself reflecting often about ways I could have improved in outcome, I
would not say that I have formalized this process. Meaning, most reflection is ad
hoc and I have not spent time organizing the data points to search for larger
connections. It is these connections that will provide the best sources for my
personal development.
To address this, I will need to generate my own development plan, regardless if
my employer requires one. This proactive development will allow for personal
and career growth. Then, when it comes time to interview for a job, request a
raise, or to substantiate my position, I will already have fodder for the
discussion.