Pondering...

Ponder – a verb that means to think about something carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion.

I have now finalized all my research into career growth. My proximal goal for March 3 (I recognize it is now March 6^th) was to consider and short list information of interest and think about options.

Before I set out to complete my final proximal goal, I have put on my thinking cap to wonder or ponder if I have all the information I need?   The module 4 asks us to consider a few questions, I have included them in this post.

I believe a lot has gone well for me. I have really begun to regulate myself and saw my SRL skills increase in a sense of less self-efficacy about my career options, I am aware of my own conscience and I have made an effort to stay on track and recognize when I am not. At this point no supports are needed. I at first thought more peer feedback was needed, I was very fortunate that several peers took time this week to read and respond to this blog. Very thankful.

(Tobey & Goldmith, 2013) identified that formative assessment seeks to develop ownership and self-regulation promoting development of successful learning. I need to ask myself, if I haven’t yet met my goals, what do I still need to do?

My answer, not enough. I could have spent hours trolling the internet. However, time is what I do not have enough of. At the outset of my information searching, I was strategic, went to websites. Looked up organizational charts etc., but as time prevailed I found myself spending more time reading about people in roles. Not just a list of soft skills and credentials. The work that someone else was doing. On Academica, the Muse or MacLean’s, I found stories highlighting work of Schools and individuals this gave me pause for thought. I could continue to read sites and stories like this for a long time. This was one from earlier in the week I found interesting.

What I have done over the last month is take time to read these stories. Inspiration needs to come from somewhere, if I hadn’t regulated myself to make time to read these stories to do this research I might never have read about.  

I was fortunate to receive direct peer feedback this week. This was greatly appreciated. Peer feedback is an essential form of formative assessment.  This direct feedback was very useful, my peers were able to constructively solidify some of the feelings I was experiencing. I also had a great link sent by a peer that really made me ponder my entire position on my direction. And maybe that’s okay. Very few things in life come with a plan. My life direction has been much unplanned.

Where do I leave off? I am now ready to move towards Goal #4. Putting it all together. Stay tuned…

Resources

Tobey, C., & Goldmith, L. (2013). The critical role of Feedback. , 8(11)