Dr. Ian​​​​ M Cowley​ MEd ePortfolio

hello,

welcome to my ePortfolio

 

This site highlights my unique learning path, artefacts, reflections, abilities, and professional/personal growth during my journey through Athabasca University's MEd (Distance Education) program from April 2012 to May 2015.

 

Professionally, from 2009 to 2014 I instructed a combination of culinary and theoretical hospitality courses within the School of Hospitality & Tourism at SAIT Polytechnic in Calgary. Subsequently, and during my MEd journey, I was a faculty member on SAIT's Board of Governors and a Faculty Development Facilitator in our Centre for Instructional Technology and Development, assisting fellow SAIT instructors to improve their teaching and develop themselves professionally. I also designed curricula and facilitated numerous seminars and workshops, including Instructional Skills Workshop. Since 2019 I have worked, at SAIT, as an Academic Chair in our International Projects department.

 

A prior 25-year hospitality career began when I graduated from SAIT's Professional Cooking program. My journey included culinary and front-of-house managerial positions in Canada, England, France, and the United States.

 

Why AU - MDDE?

 

Though a latecomer to the world of education, I have developed an unquenchable thirst to further my knowledge about the theory and craft of teaching and learning.

 

I began Athabasca University's MDDE program subsequent to completing a Vancouver Community College Provincial Instructors Diploma. MDDE was a natural meeting point where I could satisfy my interests in, and grow my knowledge of, lifelong learning, teaching, and technology. I consider myself very fortunate in that, for the past year, I have been able to help develop SAIT faculty and facilitate teaching and learning sessions full-time. Where I began the MDDE program as an instructor, in my new role I now walk, talk, and practice the things I have learned in all eleven of the courses I have taken with Athabasca.

 

I plan on enrolling in an Educational Doctorate program in educational leadership on completion of my MEd. Though I love being in the classroom teaching, or online doing likewise, I am looking ahead to a day when I can impact improvements in adult education via leadership positions. It is the depth of learning that I have experienced in MDDE, and my exposure to the inner workings of the SAIT Board of  Governors, that has inpired me to follow this direction versus remaining an instuctor.

 

I invite and encourage you to leave any comments or suggestions you may have, below, or on any of my pages.

 

Thanks for visiting!

 

Ian