My MDE Experience
I started the MDE program in spring of 2011. I had been in the training field for over four years; but, yet was still determining what direction I wanted to go in my career. When I started at American Society of Training and Development, ASTD, it gave me the opportunity to learn about training, adult learning and training and development. However, it never prepared me for all that I would learn in the MDE program.
When I started applying for grad school I was looking for schools in North Carolina where I live. When I looked at the UMUC program it was a hard decision because of the tuition cost as an out-of-state student, but it was worth it. I have always been in love with online education, so the MDE program being entirely online was perfect for me. It was exciting to learn about all that is necessary to develop a distance education course. It actually gave me a new outlook on Learning Management Systems or LMS, distance education students and the DE professors. I participated in online classes before this program, but it helped me to get a better understanding of what is required for a distance education course to be successful. It is not just the professors or the institution, but, as a student, you are what makes the DE program successful. All those components that are used in the program are just tools for you to learn and gain knowledge of the subject matter.
The Foundations of Distance Education course (OMDE 601) really opened my eyes to how distance education started. To think that most of the communication and work was done through correspondence and mail, but now it is conducted entirely through the internet. It makes you ponder on what the future of DE will be. In the Technology in Distance Education and e-learning course (OMDE 603) we discussed technology intensely, as well as how it continues to evolve, creating new possibilities for DE. In my courses relating to technology and DE, we focused heavily on Web 2.0. Second Life became the focus of many of my assignments because of the endless possibilities it can provide DE students to connect and interact with other students and to the institution. Also how the use of various devices such as an iPad or an iPhone affected access course work, made connecting to my courses and classmates more convenient. I especially loved the fact that materials from my previous employer (ASTD) are being used and discussed in some of the courses. It allowed me to see how they are heavily involved in training and learning and development even within higher education.
I can say that the most rewarding experience for me in the program has been the group work. I always disliked the idea of collaborating with others on assignments, but I have had a wonderful experience in this program. The students in my MDE program demonstrated team work, effective communication and passion about learning and earning a good grade. Of course, that should be expected but I have had other classes at other institutions where the students were not like that. At times the members of the group would be disorganized, nonresponsive and not cooperative. From my classmates in the MDE program, I have learned extensively about training and education since many of them are presently working in the field.
Another important part of the program is the writing coaches. Writing coaches are available in majority of my courses to assist with writing papers making sure that they are graduate level papers. I am not a fan of academic writing but they worked with me through every writing assignment. I was able to contact them and even send them multiple copies of my work. My writing coaches were always available and responsive. It was so refreshing to have that support and guidance. They continuously provided resources to assist with improving my writing skills. Those resources can continue to assist me throughout my career.
When I think about the courses I have taken in the MDE program, I have gained a great deal of knowledge that will take me further in my career. From my courses, I have learned what it takes to create a DE program, the cost behind funding training, and providing effective learning support. As I continue to grow in my field of training and development, these are all important skills and knowledge that I now have a better understanding. I can demonstrate those skills and use the knowledge when working in the field and when asked about ideas regarding what technology to use or how to make the training more cost effective.
My desire is to continue working in the training and development field; either in the private or government sector in instructional design and training. In order to complete this goal, I am going to continue to further my education by earning my graduate certificate in Instructional Design and e-learning at UMUC. At my present position, I am able to continue building my skills in training as well as design by assisting with creating learning materials needed for training our customers.
I am grateful to the professors, writing coaches and the students in the MDE program at University of Maryland University College.
I started the MDE program in spring of 2011. I had been in the training field for over four years; but, yet was still determining what direction I wanted to go in my career. When I started at American Society of Training and Development, ASTD, it gave me the opportunity to learn about training, adult learning and training and development. However, it never prepared me for all that I would learn in the MDE program.
When I started applying for grad school I was looking for schools in North Carolina where I live. When I looked at the UMUC program it was a hard decision because of the tuition cost as an out-of-state student, but it was worth it. I have always been in love with online education, so the MDE program being entirely online was perfect for me. It was exciting to learn about all that is necessary to develop a distance education course. It actually gave me a new outlook on Learning Management Systems or LMS, distance education students and the DE professors. I participated in online classes before this program, but it helped me to get a better understanding of what is required for a distance education course to be successful. It is not just the professors or the institution, but, as a student, you are what makes the DE program successful. All those components that are used in the program are just tools for you to learn and gain knowledge of the subject matter.
The Foundations of Distance Education course (OMDE 601) really opened my eyes to how distance education started. To think that most of the communication and work was done through correspondence and mail, but now it is conducted entirely through the internet. It makes you ponder on what the future of DE will be. In the Technology in Distance Education and e-learning course (OMDE 603) we discussed technology intensely, as well as how it continues to evolve, creating new possibilities for DE. In my courses relating to technology and DE, we focused heavily on Web 2.0. Second Life became the focus of many of my assignments because of the endless possibilities it can provide DE students to connect and interact with other students and to the institution. Also how the use of various devices such as an iPad or an iPhone affected access course work, made connecting to my courses and classmates more convenient. I especially loved the fact that materials from my previous employer (ASTD) are being used and discussed in some of the courses. It allowed me to see how they are heavily involved in training and learning and development even within higher education.
I can say that the most rewarding experience for me in the program has been the group work. I always disliked the idea of collaborating with others on assignments, but I have had a wonderful experience in this program. The students in my MDE program demonstrated team work, effective communication and passion about learning and earning a good grade. Of course, that should be expected but I have had other classes at other institutions where the students were not like that. At times the members of the group would be disorganized, nonresponsive and not cooperative. From my classmates in the MDE program, I have learned extensively about training and education since many of them are presently working in the field.
Another important part of the program is the writing coaches. Writing coaches are available in majority of my courses to assist with writing papers making sure that they are graduate level papers. I am not a fan of academic writing but they worked with me through every writing assignment. I was able to contact them and even send them multiple copies of my work. My writing coaches were always available and responsive. It was so refreshing to have that support and guidance. They continuously provided resources to assist with improving my writing skills. Those resources can continue to assist me throughout my career.
When I think about the courses I have taken in the MDE program, I have gained a great deal of knowledge that will take me further in my career. From my courses, I have learned what it takes to create a DE program, the cost behind funding training, and providing effective learning support. As I continue to grow in my field of training and development, these are all important skills and knowledge that I now have a better understanding. I can demonstrate those skills and use the knowledge when working in the field and when asked about ideas regarding what technology to use or how to make the training more cost effective.
My desire is to continue working in the training and development field; either in the private or government sector in instructional design and training. In order to complete this goal, I am going to continue to further my education by earning my graduate certificate in Instructional Design and e-learning at UMUC. At my present position, I am able to continue building my skills in training as well as design by assisting with creating learning materials needed for training our customers.
I am grateful to the professors, writing coaches and the students in the MDE program at University of Maryland University College.