It took me two years to decide to apply to the LDT program. I had considered many other programs, but I kept returning to the LDT program website for many reasons. The residency requirements of the program attracted me because I knew that’s the type of program I needed if I was to complete a doctoral program. I knew the commitment that was going to be required of me and it seemed daunting. After applying and being accepted, I deferred my admission status for one year. It may have been a delay tactic but I knew that inevitably I would not feel fulfilled until I pursued this degree. Every staff and faculty member that I have interacted with was very patient with me during the application process and did not place any pressure on me.

 

Since beginning the program in Fall 2012, it has indeed been extremely demanding, but I have learned so much. The program is absolutely rigorous. The advisor as mentor and learning community models of the program are what sets this program apart. I have immensely enjoyed learning from my peers, my advisor and other faculty members. The effort made by the program to foster relationships between students and faculty through doctoral seminars and social activities is a big success of the program. The weekly advisor meetings are central to our success as students. In the Fall I found myself to be extremely anxious about so many things. I am more settled this semester and many questions or concerns that I have had have been addressed by either my advisor, the 8990 seminar class or my peers. The graduate assistant position is a great opportunity for application and allows for my career to continue while I am a full time student.

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 My introduction to instructional design in the late nineties, though fulfilling, was short lived due to a family relocation decision. Enrolling in this program a decade later, is beginning a whole new field of study for me. The program has allowed me to refresh and deepen my knowledge of instructional design. The technology aspect of the program is all new however, and my learning curve is extremely steep at this time. I feel privileged to be a student in a program which has some of the leading faculty in the field of LDT.  I have always been interested in research.I enjoy reading research studies and journals in my area of interest. I respect the passion, time and energy that is required of researchers. I am really excited about the exposure and guidance this program is providing to the different approaches to research. Direct access to working with any of the program faculty is  a great oppotunity for us as students, and with their guidance I look forward to designing a study that I can be confident to implement and sustain.

 

 I did find some surprise program requirements in my first semester that I felt were not well documented in the doctoral handbook. This has since been altered in an updated 2013 handbook. The expectations to participate in student led research teams, and write proposals for conferences within the first semester were very challenging. I think the second semester may be better timing to introduce such requirements for first year students as the first semester should focus more on getting orientated to course load and other aspects of the program. The program requirements are vital to our development as future scholars in the field, and the experiences are invaluable, I am only suggesting better communication of the requirements. This would ensure less anxiety and better time management on our part as students. EDIT 8990 is a great course to help students navigate through the program requirements.