Greetings my name is Helen Lipka. I would like to welcome you to my electronic portfolio prepared for my Masters of Instructional Technology (MIT) Degree at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. I also hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics Education and a Teaching Certification in Elementary Education grades K- 6.
I became interested in integrating technology into the Family and Consumer Curriculum while I was working towards my National Board Certification, which I obtained in 2000. At that time I became a member of the Technology Team for the Career and Technical Education Department where I grew in knowledge and skill. I designed and developed integrated activities not only for my area, but also for the county Middle Grades Career Exploration classes holding staff development and workshops to increase the use of technology into the curriculum. My interest in technology integration led me to my current position as a High School Computer Resource teacher.
One of my desires and goals was to obtain my Master’s Degree. I was searching for a program that would fulfill my desire to be a life long learner and complement
my love of technology. When I learned about the MIT program I knew that it was the “fit” that I had been seeking. I was excited to begin my new journey in this dynamic field and I am even more excited to a fulfilling career as an instructional technologist in the near future.
I believe learning is a life long process. Everyone can learn, however, the learning styles in which we learn are varied and unique to the individual learner. School teaches us academic. Life teaches us lessons. As an Instructional Technologist, I believe it is necessary to keep abreast of the new and emerging technology(s) and trends. I believe firmly in the Constructivist Theory. When a student learns, through exposure to a new concept after the fundamental concepts are set in place, a light bulb goes off in his/her head. Learning happens. Constructivism is the belief that each person must build or construct a framework of knowledge based on what they already know prior to anything new being useful to them. Thinking is a process which must be practiced through: hands-on demonstrations, scenarios, role-playing, simulations, team-learning, as well as more traditional methodology, until the mind becomes dynamic and flexible enough to handle any problem that might come along. I believe it is more important to guide students to explore information rather than just providing information. In this way, students learn to apply and transfer new information into real world situations.
I believe that the ultimate purpose of education is to produce individuals who strive for excellence for themselves, their peers, and their community. The well-rounded individual is one in whom the higher ideals of life have been instilled. In this way, students enter the rest of their lives with the valuable lesson that they can make a difference benefiting all. My Beliefs as an Instructional Designer fit well into this philosophical view. Instructional Designers as stated by Johnson and Foa (1989) are: " People who know how to generate, evaluate and communicate information. They have good questioning, listening, speaking and writing skills. They are curious about the content of each instructional situation and personally care whether or not the learner successfully acquires the necessary knowledge or skill."
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With the completion of my Master of Science in Instructional Technology, I look forward to exploring new possibilities and career opportunities within the educational environment. The knowledge base that I have built, centered on the Masters of Instructional Technology program at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, has been invaluable. My passion is to teach, collaborate with experts in the field of Instructional Technology, share knowledge, and watch other teachers grow in their technology integration skills as well as their profession. I would like to continue to be a professional who shares emerging technology innovations and developments by developing, designing, and implementing the integration of technology to ensure student success in a public or private setting.
