I am a person that needs a goal for everything I do in life not just in education. I have to have something to look forward to or strive towards or I find it difficult to move forward. My radiologic science program already has a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal), we just didn't call it that exactly. We certainly always ask "why are we doing this?" just as explained by Sinek. (2009). If you know the why then you are more motivated to do the work. I think it is critical to have a goal in every program that is not related to a grade. I don't think I am alone in my desire, I think most learners would like to understand exactly what the end goal is so they can also stay motivated.
As I progress through this ADL program, I find that I am becoming much more an independent learner. I typically surround myself with others that know just a little bit more than me so that I can continue to grow. I also always encourage my students to do the same just as described by Vygotsky and the social constructivist theory of creating a "zone of proximal development" that includes a more skilled partner. "This is an important concept that relates to the difference between what a child can achieve independently and what a child can achieve with guidance and encouragement from a skilled partner." (McCloud, 2023). I think this applies to adults not just children. I think we need both, skilled partners for the dependent side and be motivated to be self-learners when we are at a loss for how to do things. I have become the queen of Google. I had to look up what a widget was when I began this program. Now I have a website! That is growth!
Even though this program encourages and expects collaboration, I also think it pushes for you to be more independent by the choices you make. I am grateful for that push. Even beginning this program took a complete shift to the growth mindset because I was certain that I had reached my capacity to learn. I am very guilty of being a collector of dots myself but then expecting my students to understand how to connect them. I think my goal is for my learners to realize that you need to be self-motivated but you should also collaborate to reach maximum potential. My profession is just as much a team sport as it is an individual one. It is very necessary to collaborate in healthcare for the most positive outcomes.
Our accreditation body for radiologic sciences has specific learning outcomes. It will be interesting to re-evaluate those with different activities and assessments in mind. It is very important that whatever I create still lines up with their expectation.
Harapnuik, D. (2015, August 15). Connecting the dots vs. collecting the dots. Retrieved
McLeod, S. (2023, June 2). Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory of cognitive development. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/vygotsky.html
Sinek, S. (2009). Start with why: How great leaders inspire everyone to take action. Penguin.
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