How does it feels to be an award winner?I still feel enormously proud of winning the award. I don't think the feeling will ever go away. I was up against tough competition from other exemplary individuals and leading teams from other universities and organisations. I don't think I realised how big this was until it had sunk in. It's just wonderful to be recognised for the efforts and milestones I was brave enough to make visible to everyone. I now feel more recognised in the learning technology community and I feel a sense of worth that has strengthened my professionalism. It has enriched my career that evidences my enthusiasm, commitment and dedication to learning technology and eLearning. Winning this award has inspired me to continue my enthusiasm and move forward with my efforts that will hopefully bring further possibilities throughout my career. My award now has a place in my home that sits alongside my two graduation pictures; teaching (DTLLS) and Technology Enhanced Learning MSc and the certificate. As I walk by I still take a glance and think, wow, I actually did this.
This is an award that doesn't just only celebrate what someone or a group of people have done, but the passionate efforts made towards innovation that impact on the education of others. I'm overwhelmed that I was narrowed down to the individual winner, it's incredible and always will be to me. I put huge amounts of effort into developing my professionalism, my role and the organisation that I worked for that benefitted from all of this. Which became eventually became a stepping stone to move on to a new chapter. All of this was achieved because I am dedicated to the quality of my professionalism and my own education towards learning technology. What you put in you definitely do get in return and it resulted in this.
What happened afterwards?
After the awards I was mentioned and appeared in a few articles that were published both locally and nationally.
- Learning Technologist Wins Top Accolade
- College student wins top award
- Daniel scoops a top Learning Technology award
- Postgraduate student wins Learning Technologist of the Year
- Tech in FE
- Daniel Scott: Award Winning Learning Technologist
- A postgraduate Technology Enhanced Learning student profile
I was invited to deliver the following presentations with ALT and Jisc. I feel I was invited to these due to my increased profile from winning the award. This is good acknowledgment by the community by wanting to share my achievement and journey in hope to inspire others. I was also invited to assist in the development of a future Blended Learning Essentials course.
I received many warm comments from the community on Twitter upon the night of winning which I can look back on from time to time. Thank you again to those who reached out to congratulate me.
I later got asked if I wanted to be part of the judging panel for the 2017 entries. I immediately said yes to it. I was able to read through this years entries and see the amount of enthusiasm and effort others have put into their work and careers in learning technology. It was a good feeling to be a part of the decision making of the future winners achievement. There were many outstanding efforts that clearly show the impetus of the awards scheme.
At the time of winning the award, I thought it would put me in good stead to getting the learning technology manager position at the organisation I used to work for, but sadly I wasn't successful and had no progression opportunities, so I decided move on with my knowledge, skills and experience to apply into a new context and take on a brand new challenge in the commercial sector.
I undoubtedly added this achievement to my CV and LinkedIn profile as it is a major achievement in my career. For the job that I am in now, I got invited to an informal visit and chat to the organisation, then got given a task to explore and create an eLearning activity. Following this I was invited to a formal interview online. One of the questions they asked me was "can you tell us more about the award you have won?". The award was a focus of discussion and allowed me to detail the work I had done to achieve it. I think this was a strong aspect they saw in me and the award reflected that. I was offered the job and progressed over to the commercial sector.
I started writing the book I had mentioned recently, with the recognition of this award I'm hoping that this publication is welcomed by the learning technology community and to raise it's awareness when released. After all, it was an ambitious project that I mentioned in my award entry. I can say this will soon be achieved and completes the cycle that is illustrated at the end in my award presentation!
What has changed since winning it?
Since winning I feel my professional profile has increased. The articles and social media posts have all contributed to 'who is this person and what is he about'. I also feel a sense of dignity where I must live up to my achievement. Because I am an now an award winning professional, I feel I have more reason and impetus to continue my high quality efforts and endeavours. It's like a pressure, a good pressure and feel I need to be more involved somehow. Plus I don't know who I may be inspiring, so I need to maintain the stature of the award.
I feel like I still have plenty of room to progress into a position that reflects my worth so to speak. I constantly think how I can stretch myself by continuingly applying and challenging my strong and core abilities. I suppose the feeling comes from the long years I have invested in myself to get where I am today. That might sound very pretentious but when you have been fully engaged and involved with your professional development from very little education as I have, you do hope for something with greater meaning. Reminiscent from my reflection last Summer, yes we don't live to work, but work to live. However, to me a job is something you just do and a career is a job related to a specific area or a series of jobs relating to that specific area. It's important to choose the right career and one that you enjoy doing as you'll feel like you're not working (on occasions). 😉
As I said recently for potential 2017 candidates;
"I went on to win this last year, I strongly encourage you submit an entry that demonstrates your most impactful/innovative practice! Make your efforts visible!"
If you're not sure on what you could submit, look at what previous candidates did and think how your own practices could be presented, if not better. Another starting point is revisiting or doing CMALT. To me this is an essential aspect of professional development that enables you to undergo a reflective process of your current practices, to develop further and identify new directions. This can help you identify the things you have done recently or a few years back or even identify new pathways you can go down. Putting in an entry is a good way to be visibly recognised nationally and internationally for your efforts. So don't hesitate, just create!
Thank you again to ALT, the wider learning technology community and those who have been very kind and supportive throughout my professional development. It's seen, felt and ultimately recognised. 👍
