Hi,
I am applying for a MA program and needed to write an essay on the following: State why you wish to pursue this programme and how you would use the knowledge gained from it in practice. Here is my draft. Kindly comment. Thank you.
"During a sharing session by a senior nurse educator, she summed up by inviting all of us (at the seminar) to try out the newly released online Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) courseware. I wasted no time testing out the courseware. I thought the courseware was engaging and I enjoyed trying out the quizzes, which provided instant responses. However, I fretted. How I wished the previously developed courseware which I had seen in other contexts, was of the same standard as this 'gem'.
In almost 8 years of my working experience, I have been involved in the use of technology in teaching, learning and training. I worked with schools and in corporate education and training environment (healthcare). Till now, I am amazed at how much technology has evolved. To me, these are opportunities. Opportunities to do what was practically not possible before. Opportunities to innovate and improve.
I am still amazed at how technology is being used in promoting learning, training and teaching. Contrary to improving and enhancing, more often than not, technology was the emphasis instead of learning.
I have witnessed students grappling with technology (animation, image/audio/video editing, etc). They grappled because they wanted to hand in a "perfect" piece of work. When this happened, a lot of time was spent by students experimenting with the software. The focus on the actual learning of content was somewhat subdued.
My experience in the corporate setting brought about a different set of issues. The prominent but inevitable (I guess) was the lack of time and knowledge in developing content. Because of this, most content was developed using a rapid tool (with a small video of the presenter accompanied by the screen captures). MCQ questions were appended to complete the courseware which very much lacking in ensuring that learners have actually learnt what they were supposed to learn. Huge amount of money was spent on the systems infrastructure but it was not being utilized in the most effective way. I knew something was just not quite right.
Along the way in the course of my job, I began to shift from the predominantly technical roles, to the learning and training realm. It was not a matter of 'by chance'. It was indeed deliberate and necessary. I had to make the management/decision-makers understand how technology can be integrated effectively in training as well as the learning processes. I must convince them that it's instruction that is driving technology and not the other way.
Identifying learning needs, planning training strategies, developing learning packages and preparing evaluations were some aspects of training and learning that became part of my scope, although they were not the primary focus. I started to realize that these functions appealed to me and in fact I had already been doing them before in bite sizes. I began reading books on instructional design practices and applied what I could in the field. My interest deepened since I am able to engage my strength in the technology capabilities (e-learning). However these skills require refinement and development that a comprehensive Instructional Design program can provide.
I began finding out about the MAIDT program through friends (who have done it before) and via it's website. The program suits my needs and aspirations. It is flexible in that I am able to apply what I will learn in a wide array of educational and corporate settings. It has a wide choice of optional modules for me to choose to cater to my interest yet covering the essentials core units.
Good morning :)
You've done quite a bit of hard work on this!
I was one eager chap who wasted no time testing it out; I thought it was engaging and I enjoyed trying out the quizzes, which provided instant responses. However, I fretted. How I wished the previously developed courseware which I had seen in other contexts, was of the same standard as this 'gem'.
CROPPED
Thank you much Gloria. Do you think I should explain a little bit more how I can use the knowledge gain in practice? Maybe some examples? Your advise pls.
~qudos
Dear Gloria,
I have made the necessary changes and added a few more paragraph. I am having problem articulating how I can use the knowledge gain in practice. Kindly help on this pls. The new paragraphs are in bold.
SEE ABOVE FOR THE FIRST PART
Almost immediately, in my current job as a Research Assistant, I can use the knowledge to assist teachers in their professional development. Using technology to amplify pedagogy, I will be able to suggest ways and strategies for them to design effective instructions.
My long term goal is to be a consultant in the learning and training field in a corporate environment. I have experienced some issues that corporate face in this field. It's time to redesign processes that are no effective. Amongst others I want to:
o Innovate new learning strategies (informal learning with technology)
o Conduct a variety of workshops related to learning and training
o Review and improve current processes
o Implement e-learning effectively and how it can be integrated with the HR training system
It gives me great satisfaction to be an instrument that directly or indirectly involved in the betterment of a person, unit, department or organization. Coupled with in-depth knowledge in technology and a solid desire to pursue a career in the learning and training field, I am ready to begin an educational experience that will enhance my view of IDT in a multi-facet perspective. "
I really like your additions; it defines your goals for the future clearly and shows you have a defined direction. Can you think of a specific instance in your daily work where you really could have used one of the procedures you describe above? For instance, perhaps there is a new piece of equipment that you are required to use and you were only trained with a manual, where getting some "hands-on" experience would have been much more beneficial? Or, perhaps do you see others in your field advancing individually and as a team that have these other training structures and strategies, and you can see your organization falling behind because you do not utilize these same or like tools? Try and find the places in your current life/job where these specific items would be of use, and you can use them as your examples, which will enhance your essay and make it clearly more personable, which is what it seems you are searching for.
Regards,
Gloria
Moderator, EssayForum.com
Thank you so much Gloria. Think i'll deliberate on what you said and see what I can fit in.
Cheers!
Is it more important to have great design or to have the best technology?
This is a Personal Statement I am working on. I'd greatly appreciate your ideas, approaches or recommendations.
Thank you!
I think it is more important to have the best technology first. Not that I am saying design is bad; it is just better to have the technology first and develop the design later. In the end of the day, we all want to utilize technology as much as we can rather than design.
