Flashback on Technology

Flashback - almost exactly 18 years ago I started as a full time faculty member. I came to academia from a corporate environment after my parents both worked in corporate and health fields.  I wasn't raised to be an academic and did not come from a normal path through a PhD. I have a professional doctorate and was working in the pharmaceutical industry.

I am still not sure how this jump occurred. I don't think I was their first pick.  I was however ready for something new and blissfully blind enough to make the leap and figure it out from there.  I was hired to redesign and revamp the continuing education program.  I taught because I was told - everyone teaches.  I wasn't tenure track right away.  But life kept happening around me. More on that later.

The trigger that causes this reflection is setting up this blog.  The summer I started in academia, 2003, a workshop was offered for faculty in website design.  I took the course.  I was excited to do something creative, use a technology, and just learn.  This is how I felt this week creating this blog. While I chickened out from starting too boldly. That same feeling came back. It has been in a way coming back since I started this program but the technology brought me back to the previous transition.

I didn't actually follow through with using the design workshop I did that summer, we actually were limited on being too creative with the university website. But it lit a positive approach to technology that I hope I never loose. 

Over the years, when different workshops were offered to faculty I always participated. I would try them out but rarely keep them going.  I dug out an old twitter account, but opted for a new one for class. I believe I set up other technology through different workshops.  

I appreciate thinking about how building a network and community with a purpose will help keep me stay engaged and connected.  Specifically, I think a lot about a community of practice. I look forward to our community of practice this semester.