Educational Technology Leadership Portfolio

Professional Growth Plan (PGP)

The concept of education and technology being in harmony with each other is something that I believe will determine the quality of life for current and future generations. In an article from Frontiers in Digital Health, “education and empowerment are critical components of achieving better health outcomes” from mobile health apps providing tailored education to patients that improved knowledge, patient engagement and self-management to conversational agents like chatbots that offer education, resources and support (Fitzpatrick, 2023). I believe that fusing educational technology into the realm of public health is especially crucial, as health information being delivered in the impactful way has the power to literally change, improve, and lengthen life.

As a health educator of two and a half years, I have been an eye witness to how people absorb (or fail to absorb) information. The traditional modes of teaching that exist (presentations, worksheets, brochures, tests, projects, etc.) can be effective, but these rapidly changing times call for novel modes of learning that are dynamic, sensory, and relevant. In my work, the best outcomes and feedback have come from instances where I have used educational technology, whether it be a Kahoot to gamify a review of STI and pregnancy prevention methods with high school and college students, a virtual bingo game about diabetes prevention and management at a senior center, or a YouTube video showing the real-life removal of a colon polyp. Simple changes using technology that disrupt people’s perception of what health education is inspired me to pursue New Jersey City University’s Ed.D in Educational Technology leadership and broaden my understanding of what could be possible in applying educational technology to public health programs and initiatives.

My goal as a leader in educational technology is to create evidence-based, culturally aware, socially engaging, accessible digital tools and media that improves people’s ability to make well-informed decisions about their health and wellness. The World Health Organization declares that “health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” and that “informed opinion and active co-operation on the part of the public are of the utmost importance in the improvement of the health of the people” (n.d.).  My philosophy on educational technology is that it should consider how it affects the physical, mental, emotional, and social capacity of the individuals it impacts. As we see with many mediums of social media, visual and written information and its presentation can directly affect a person’s relationship with their health through ideas and beliefs suggested. The mission of educational technology within public health should always be equipping people with the ability to make an informed opinion that empowers them to be an active participant in ensuring all dimensions of health.

My plan to contribute to my personal goal of developing digital tools and media that improve health decision-making and this overarching mission of “health education technology” ensuring that people make informed decisions that empower them to be active in every aspect of their health is to:

1)  Be open and curious about educational technology and the many methods of learning that can apply to people being excited by, connected to, and willing to engage with health education by reading articles, attending one related conference, collaborating and learning with my cohort, and participating in research by the end of fall semester.

2)  Continue to practice and improve upon servant leadership that centers the people that will feel the impact of my work (as a health educator and a doctoral student in Educational Technology), constantly assessing and evaluating their needs and wants while being mindful of evidence-based information.

3)  Honing in on adaptive leadership that allows me to exercise problem-solving and being able to approach the ever-changing public health and technology landscapes with flexibility and attention to detail.

Sources

1.     Fitzpatrick, P. J. (2023). Improving health literacy using the power of digital communications to achieve better health outcomes for patients and practitioners. Frontiers in Digital Health, 5, 1264780. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2023.1264780

2. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Constitution. World Health Organization. Retrieved August 13, 2024, from https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution