My first year in the Learning, Design, and Technology program at The University of Georgia has been eye-opening. The new insight I have gained in respects to the field is contributed to the various perspectives and research interests shared with me by both faculty members and fellow students. I value my first experience in the highest regards and believe it has helped shape me as a researcher and educator. 

 

Coursework

The coursework during the first year has allowed me to situated myself in the field of Learning, Design, and Technology. I quickly found furthering my knowledge in the learning theories, history, and foundations of LDT was crucial to my success within the program. The EDIT 9990: Foundations in LDT course allowed for self-exploration of my epistemology. I was able to build upon the instructional technology prior knowledge I obtained during my masters coursework. Applying eminent educational learning theories to the field of LDT shaped my current research interest. As I entered the program I was unfamiliar with the PhD process in general. On a more practical note the EDIT 8990: Doctoral Seminar allowed my cohort to familiarize ourselves with the general procedure of completing a PhD. Identifying prominent LDT journals and conferences, along with discussing the differences in dissertation types are a few notable deliverables from the course. We were inspired as creative thinkers, designers, and researchers in the EDIT 8190: Design Studio course. I stand with Dr. Rieber in believing everyone can be a design thinker.

 

My path of coursework in the program has been a bit different than my fellow classmates. My advisor, Dr. Kim, has guided me through the formation of my research interest. My initial topic has been altered but I have been able to establish a solid research agenda and start developing a pilot study to accompany an intervention. Dr. Kim has aided me in writing a conceptual paper in the EDIT 9630: Literature Review course. This experience will help me to design an intervention and an empirical study in my EDIT 2000 courses in Fall 2017, and make iterate changes in the following semesters. My background in mathematics education and instructional technology have influenced my research direction and subsequent decision on cognate coursework in the Mathematics Education program. My EMAT 8040: Critical Issues in Mathematics course has enabled me to study controversial issues pertaining to mathematics education. The infamous procedural vs. conceptual knowledge debate is a cornerstone of my research and this course has provided me the opportunity to investigate the topic in more depth. I commend the LDT faculty for structuring curriculum allowing students to apply their own research interest within the course. I believe this is tremendously important and the coursework thus far has been so much more thought-provoking knowing it has application to my personal research. 

 

Program Suggestions

The only thing that I would consider revising is the explanation of coursework requirements. I understand every student takes a different path, although speaking for myself and fellow classmates, planning a complete program of study during our first year with only the handbook as reference was difficult. A general sequencing guide of course work for courses taken outside the department would be helpful (i.e. research methods, elective, and cognate courses). I found the sequencing of the EDIT courses very appropriate and beneficial to my development as a first year doctoral student. 

 

Looking Ahead

I have been fortunate to have Dr. Kim advise me through the initial steps of the LDT program. Her insight and guidance have provided me with aspirations for my dissertation study aiming to improve mathematics education through the use of block-based programming. This summer I have hopes of submitting my conceptual paper related on this aim to a journal for publication. I will also be taking QUAL 8400: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods over the summer as a precursor of applying qualitative methods to my dissertation data collection. I have had the pleasure of working with Ms. Gretchen Thomas over the course of the semester. The mentoring she has provided throughout the year has allowed me to see the importance of interweaving research and teaching. I look forward to continuing my assistantship as an EDIT 2000 instructor of record next Fall.      

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