Running head: Personal Learning Plan 1
Personal Learning Plan
Kyle Stout
Siena Heights University
Student I.D. # 530263
October 15, 2019
Running head: Personal Learning Plan 2
Goals
Currently, I work as a Substitute Teacher, Secret Shopper, and as a Graduate Assistant
for the Siena Heights University Department of Music. My short term goal is to complete the
Higher Education Leadership program and leave Siena Heights with degree in hand. After
graduation I would like to find employment at a University or College is one of three
departments, those being, Admissions, Registrar, or Advising. At this point in time I am not sure
what skills I need to hone in order to be more desirable for employment in any of these
departments. I also do not know what technologies I need to become familiar with in these
workplaces either. With, that being said I am somewhat familiar with
[Link] which is used by the admissions department at Siena Heights for
keeping track of recruits as well as facilitating contact with those potential students. One learning
goal in this instance would become more proficient at using this tool. Another, learning goal I
can set for myself is to become a better writer and vocal communicator. Becoming a better
communicator will make me more employable and as such is a desirable skill to work on. While
I could take the easy way out and use technologies such as [Link] and
[Link] to fix my writing I would prefer to make myself a better writer
so that I do not necessarily need to use these tools as much as I already do. The steps I will take
to do this are to subscribe to [Link] and make use of
[Link] and [Link] My third goal is
to better understand the roles of the admissions, registrar, and advising offices in a college and
university environment including what technologies I may need to become familiar with in these
roles. While I have made deep connections within my small department it has come to my
attention that I need to work harder to make deeper connections outside my immediate world on
Running head: Personal Learning Plan 3
campus. I can accomplish this by being more active on [Link] and
[Link] than I currently am which is to say not at all except for following
and reading other’s posts.
Learning Activites
One of the best ways I learn is through constant practice and this will be the best case for
improving my writing skills. [Link] offers daily lessons and prompts I can use to
practice consistently. I have found in my job that one of my favorite ways of learning has been
one on one discussions with my mentors. While I thoroughly enjoy my conversations with my
two superiors I am beginning to think I should talk to more people on campus. While my job
does not allow me frequent time for chatting there are times when the opportunities present
themselves but I instead decide to make idle talk instead of more meaningful discussion. I have
found that I do not read enough either. I often browse and read for pleasure but most of the
material in these instances could hardly be considered for personal growth. I think the mindset I
need to take for this is similar to how I approached growing to like exercise. Growing up and
playing many sports I grew to think of running as a punishment or a chore. It was not until a few
years ago where I turned to run as a way to make a self-investment and as an activity I can do at
my own pace for enjoyment did I start to enjoy it. Just like running I need to make reading a
priority that is for my benefit and not a chore or punishment. To start towards this goal I should
begin searching for material more worthy of time spent reading as opposed to the time I spend on
more frivolous items. For instance the National Association for Music Education produces a
monthly journal I could make an effort to read.
Showing Evidence
Running head: Personal Learning Plan 4
To better my writing I need to give myself more time to prepare. By utilizing the sites
mentioned earlier and giving more preparation time my writing should show improvement in the
future compared to past papers. I can show improvement in social aspects by having more social
media posts and attending more social events within the Siena community as well as in my own
social circles. Hopefully any improvements I have made in the use of [Link] will be
reflected in my use of it at work in the Department of Music’s recruiting efforts.
