Earning a master’s degree was a big achievement for me. It is something I do not take for granted. When I first started classes, I was new to Tuscaloosa, a new employee at The University of Alabama, and a single mother to a teenage son. I had been a professional in the e-learning field for several years but had not formalized my training beyond a bachelor’s degree in 1985. With the strong support and guidance of UA professors and fellow students, I earned my MS in 2011 in Computers and Applied Technology. That process gave me a great sense of accomplishment, confidence, and pride.
For over two years, I was content and did not feel I would ever have a need to go through a doctoral program! Things have changed...
In my current position as an Instructional Developer in Multimedia Services here at The University of Alabama, I create video tutorials, interactive tutorials, written manuals, and provide hands-on workshops for faculty, staff, and gradate students. I am well-skilled in many software programs that enable online course creation and I am able to apply proper methodology and techniques to foster adult learning. Yet, I have a hunger to do more.
I routinely follow industry professionals in the fields of gamification, interactive video, and avatars. While it is important to understand the technology behind these tools and keep up with their constant growth, there is a greater need to understand their academic applications. I believe there is a potential to incorporate some of these tools into the teaching methods used in our distance education courses as well as in the UA classroom.
I have applied to the Instructional Leadership and Technology program in the College of Education. My goal is to gain the knowledge and skill to formally explore, research, justify, and implement these methods. I would also like to further my knowledge of higher education in general. I have been with the University for over six years and yet I feel my career is just beginning. This program will help me accomplish great things!
For over two years, I was content and did not feel I would ever have a need to go through a doctoral program! Things have changed...
In my current position as an Instructional Developer in Multimedia Services here at The University of Alabama, I create video tutorials, interactive tutorials, written manuals, and provide hands-on workshops for faculty, staff, and gradate students. I am well-skilled in many software programs that enable online course creation and I am able to apply proper methodology and techniques to foster adult learning. Yet, I have a hunger to do more.
I routinely follow industry professionals in the fields of gamification, interactive video, and avatars. While it is important to understand the technology behind these tools and keep up with their constant growth, there is a greater need to understand their academic applications. I believe there is a potential to incorporate some of these tools into the teaching methods used in our distance education courses as well as in the UA classroom.
I have applied to the Instructional Leadership and Technology program in the College of Education. My goal is to gain the knowledge and skill to formally explore, research, justify, and implement these methods. I would also like to further my knowledge of higher education in general. I have been with the University for over six years and yet I feel my career is just beginning. This program will help me accomplish great things!
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