Betty McDaniel
EDCI 660A
Initial Reflective Essay
Getting a Learning Design and Technology Master’s Degree from Purdue is an amazing
accomplishment, and one I am entirely prepared to work hard to attain. As a newcomer to
education, I already see a need for instructional design to surround the learner, not the teacher.
My career goal with my LDT degree can lead me in so many different directions, from education
to corporate training departments. Having a background in both arenas, I actually see myself
leaving public education for the corporate sector at some point. There are so many changes that
need to happen outside the classroom before they can become effective in the classroom. As
such, my short-term (within the next 5 to 7 years) I see myself staying in the classroom as a
teacher—gaining experience and an understanding of the public educational system, but in a
virtual way—virtual academies interest me. I would like to become involved in distance learning
for younger students, and implementing technology into the classroom. From there, my longer
term goal (after 5-7 years) I would like to join a company who requires an LDT degree to help
design virtual learning programs for training purposes. What I’d like to accomplish while in this
online program is the mastery with which I can pursue my career goals with confidence—as a
master in my field.
I chose this MS online program because Purdue has an excellent reputation, but I also
chose it because this program seemed to have all of the components I was looking for to prepare
me from my future career goals. By learning how learners learn, why they learn, and how to
motivate them to learn, while using technology, well, that is exactly the program I was looking
for, and the program Purdue offers. I believe this program can help me achieve my career goals
by giving me the knowledge base required in our diverse technological world—both in the
private and public sectors—into many different industries. This program is a perfect fit for me.
Betty McDaniel
EDCI 660A
Final Reflective Essay
There were several things I found interesting by completing the modules, but the one
which surprised me the most was the CITI quizzes. I wasn’t expecting there to be so many, yet
they really had a lot of good information. I found that I knew a lot of the information given, and
some was for the most part common sense, yet there were still quite a few things I learned. What
I found really interesting was how many different components there are to think about when
doing research in a university setting. I found this very useful for future use.
I had several online classes in my undergraduate studies, so I feel like I have a good
understanding of time management, yet the module with strategies for time management had
some really good recommendations. It is different being in a graduate program, working fulltime, and having family commitments. Time management is a huge factor in being
successful. An online strategy that works for me is doing something school related everyday
(even if it’s just a little reading or checking Bb). I find that I’m able to stay current with what is
going on, and doing something every day keeps me from getting behind.
At this time, I can’t think of any changes I’d make to my initial reflective essay. I really
have enjoyed the learning theories class, and I’m excited to start my class dealing with the
internet, and how it can be used to teach. My career plans and expectations of the program are
even more strengthened now than they were eight weeks ago.