ISTE Standards for Educators 2.1 – Learner

This standard highlights how educators continually improve their practice by learning from and with others and exploring proven and promising practices that leverage technology to enhance student learning. Therefore, educators:

2.1.a. Set professional learning goals to explore and apply pedagogical approaches made possible by technology and reflect on their effectiveness.

2.1.b. Pursue professional interests by creating and actively participating in local and global learning networks.

2.1.c. Stay current with research that supports improved student learning outcomes, including findings from the learning sciences.

As an educator, I must continually upgrade my skills and keep learning through professional learning networks (2.1.a.). Tobin (1998, cited in Trust et al., 2016) coined the term “Personal Learning Network” to describe a network of people and resources that support ongoing learning. While the terms Professional Learning Network and Personal Learning Network are often used interchangeably, I use “Professional Learning Network,” or PLN, because this article focuses on teachers’ learning related to their professional work. PLNs are related to but can be differentiated from two other concepts pertaining to educator learning, the professional learning community (PLC) and the personal learning environment (PLE), as elaborated briefly in Professional Learning Community Using Social Media: Yea or Nay? – Ignasia Yuyun. Following Krutka et al. (2016) ‘s critical elements as standard to PLN experiences, I learn from other lecturers by engaging, discovering, experimenting, reflecting, and sharing. Through the interaction among these elements, I have different experiences at different times and in diverse ways. This way, I can comply with the current trends and technological advancement. Therefore, I pursued my Doctor by Research program and DEL Certificate Program simultaneously in 2021. It was challenging to do professional programs simultaneously as I had to do a significant amount of homework.

As a lifelong learner, I address some characteristics possessed by an educator in a post entitled “Being A Lifelong Learner through Professional Learning Network.” An educator should conquer challenges, innovate to improve learning outcomes and act as a role model for students.

By participating in the DEL Certificate Program, for example, I learned to explore and apply pedagogical approaches made possible by technology and reflect on their effectiveness (2.1.b.). Through some Community Engagement Projects, I explored some digital applications and tools. This way, I keep learning new things and evaluating whether or not they effectively improve the teaching and learning activities. Another example is learning new research tools from some courses in my Doctor by Research Program at the Indonesian University of Education, such as Publish and Perish.

Besides, doing research activities and publications sharpened my research skills and academic writing, as seen in my newest publication (Yuyun, 2023), INVESTIGATING UNIVERSITY STUDENT ENGAGEMENT IN ONLINE LEARNING: A CASE STUDY IN EFL CLASSROOM. This way, I can stay current with research that supports improved student learning outcomes, including findings from the learning sciences.

Moreover, presentations disseminating research activities were also conducted, such as A Hybrid International Conference, 20th Asia TEFL, 68th TEFLIN, 5th iNELTAL 2022, and 16th Annual Symposium: Educational Innovations around the World. Participating in international conferences or symposiums supports me in pursuing professional interests by creating and actively participating in local and global learning networks (2.1.c.).

Referring to my Mission Statement, I believe that as a lifelong learner, I can keep empowering and transforming my students. Also, complying with the current trends in technology will inspire and encourage fellow educators and students to use technology for civic engagement and address challenges to improve their communities.

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