I have reflected on this topic before but I am circling back now because I have become much more engaged in the process of using learning communities within my field. I still need to add more education only based communities but I have stepped up my engagement on the radiologic science side by becoming more of a contributor and not just a consumer of the information provided.
First, I will start by saying that there are about 217,000 radiologic technologists in the USA. About 17,000 of those are in Texas alone. It isn't a small group of people but it has the feel of a small group. We have 40 hospital affiliates and I know many technologists in every single hospital. I also can easily play seven degrees of separation with any technologist that I know so this easily leads to collaboration among peers.
The same goes for the educators in the field. I know many educators in radiologic science from across the country. This has largely to do with my membership in the Association of Collegiate Educators in Radiologic Technology (acert.org ) and the conference that I attend every year. We have many face to face collaborations on issues in the field but we often reach out during the year when we have similar issues with our students or legislative changes. This year I was a contributor about the mental health of radiographers in the hospital post Covid. I also contributed to a discussion on using live medical aids in the school.
The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (arrt.org) and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (asrt.org ) are both groups that have ongoing learning communities. The Joint Review Commission on Education in Radiologic Technology (jrcert.org) which accredits radiologic science programs also has an opportunity for a constant feedback as program assessment criteria changes. I contributed to assessment changes within the radiography curriculum. I am a member of all these groups within my field and I have increased my interactions and contributions in the last 4 months.
I am a credentialed member of the Association of College and University Educators and the American Council on Education in Effective College Instruction. acue.org This is specific to online learning. I have participated in the round table for the new groups that are coming through the program regarding effective practices. The real reason I even chose the M Ed. in ADL at Lamar University is because how incredible the ACUE program was and I wanted to be just as effective as a digital leader and learner. I am always impressed that my instructors at Lamar and that they also understand the fine art of online instruction.
Through trial and error this semester, I finally believe that I am capable of incorporating digital learning into the classroom in an effective way. I can only imagine as I progress farther through the program what I will be able to achieve.
Comentários