Prior Learning Motivations

Prior Learning Motivations 

I have thought long and hard about taking up this programme, I am from a scientific background, having worked over 20 years in the electronics and telecommunications industry, in a variety of jobs from field service to network engineer.

Therefore taking up a career in teaching was a new departure for me, I completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology in 2003, in the years following that I delivered a variety of Training courses for FAS from Warehousing with IT skills, to Security and ECDL. It was this initial start in training that gave me the confidence and also the knowledge that I enjoyed teaching. For the last five years I have worked for National College of Ireland as a part-time associate lecturer, and for Co Wicklow VEC as a Maths teacher.

I have delivered the Business Calculations and the Information and Communication Systems modules of the Certificate in Business Studies for the National College of Ireland, and I currently teach Maths for Wicklow VEC. In order to improve my current skills and to learn to incorporate innovative practices from eLearning in my teaching, and also to explore the possibility of teaching in a completely new area, I embarked on Masters in Applied eLearning.

I researched into the field of eLearning by quizzing some of my friends about their attitudes and opinions, I also read quite a few internet articles on the subject, and I read up on each module in the course to see if I would be likely to enjoy the content.

On a personal teaching level, I have introduced IT into the Maths course I teach, from the use of on-line surveys in Maths, to electronic mapping in Co-Ordinate Geometry.  As part of the eLearning programme the Instructional Design and eAuthoring module will have direct relevance to WVEC in terms of course delivery, I believe that the knowledge gained and methods learned will allow me to develop unique web based educational material which will enhance in the delivery of such modules as Geometry, Co-Ordinate Geometry and Algebra, this can help in new learning opportunities for students in an organisational wide context.   Another motivation for me is that the relevancy of the MSc in Applied eLearning is based on the fact that the course content aligns with the objectives of the Co Wicklow VEC Education Plan.