I began my journey at UMUC in Teaching and Training in 2014. I started out working on a Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Distance Education and as time went by I changed my major to the full MDE with a Specialization in Distance Education and Teaching because I liked what the program had to offer.
The course subjects are as follows:
MDE & Specialization in DETT
Courses completed:
OMDE - 601 - Foundations in DE & E-Learning
OMDE - 603 - Technology DE & E-Learning
OMDE - 606 - Costs and Economics
OMDE - 608 - Learner Support DE & Training
OMDE - 610 - Teaching Learning in Online DE
OMDE - 670 - Capstone Course - Portfolio and Project
DETT - 607 - Instructional Design Course Development in DE
DETT - 611 - Library and Intellectual Property
DETT - 621 - Online Learning & Development in the Workplace
EDTC - 650 - Teaching and Learning in Virtual schools
DETC - 620 - Training and Leadership in Multimedia
DEPM - 604 - Management and Leadership in DE & E-Learning
Throughout this process of instruction I've had many challenges that have given me the foundation to function as a teacher/manager in the capacity of leadership.
When reflecting on some of the courses this is what I have to say:
In the OMDE courses the most challenging course for me was Cost and Economics there is much to be learned about costing a course. The use of being skilled in technology is necessary in order to work at an organization that needs an individual to know how much development of an online course will cost an organization.
In the DETT courses I enjoyed Instructional Design and course development this course challenges skills in the areas of creativity and constructing knowledge based on course curriculum for the autonomous learner. I was very enlightened when I took the Library and Intellectual property course, this course has a wealth of information regarding intellectual property rights for publishing, authors, media and video recordings etc., this was a challenging course but I ended up liking this course and the instructor gave us good information that pertained to law that most of us take for granted.
Throughout the eleven (11) courses plus this current capstone course (OMDE607) I have enjoyed engaging with students in a virtual work space.
I think I am ready to go deeper into the field of distance education by pursuing my final degree in a Doctoral program.
The MDE program has given me sufficient knowledge with skill based education that has equipped me to set up online programs and select appropriate learning tools and resources. As a learner I have seen how past theoretical frameworks in the Distance Wave in Education has changed over time and how it began. Distance educators are in a great time for discovery of what the future has because it is ever evolving with the new technological advancements, along with social media, media literacy and multimedia. Distance educators should be excited about the new wave of innovations and infrastructure of learning and technology that is changing the way teachers, administrators and community stakeholders view online education.
I will always look back to the past for that is where I have my foundation in learning about Distance education. I will use my education to do further research and bring about community awareness that is appropriate to bringing about positive implications to the distance education environment. I will look back on, but not miss, those days, nights and weekends, when those writing assignments were tedious and long, sometimes I was weary but I continued to push on.
Finally, my Capstone Course - OMDE 670 was the culmination of all courses. This course challenged me to look beyond and into the future of distance education. Exploring topics that focused on planning activities such as: Job Listings, Readiness Assessments, UMUC Career Services Reports, Interview Practice, and developing a Strategic Plan for an DE career. These activities were used to enable us as students in demonstrating cumulative knowledge and skills learned in the MDE courses. By applying the applications, strategies and concepts through discussions, assignments and projects I will look back on this educational experience as a solid foundation to build on.
Thanks! so much to Professor Linda Smith for all of her guidance and assistance in helping me complete my final UMUC/MDE journey.
You are the ultimate professional
Cheers!!
Debra Farmer
The course subjects are as follows:
MDE & Specialization in DETT
Courses completed:
OMDE - 601 - Foundations in DE & E-Learning
OMDE - 603 - Technology DE & E-Learning
OMDE - 606 - Costs and Economics
OMDE - 608 - Learner Support DE & Training
OMDE - 610 - Teaching Learning in Online DE
OMDE - 670 - Capstone Course - Portfolio and Project
DETT - 607 - Instructional Design Course Development in DE
DETT - 611 - Library and Intellectual Property
DETT - 621 - Online Learning & Development in the Workplace
EDTC - 650 - Teaching and Learning in Virtual schools
DETC - 620 - Training and Leadership in Multimedia
DEPM - 604 - Management and Leadership in DE & E-Learning
Throughout this process of instruction I've had many challenges that have given me the foundation to function as a teacher/manager in the capacity of leadership.
When reflecting on some of the courses this is what I have to say:
In the OMDE courses the most challenging course for me was Cost and Economics there is much to be learned about costing a course. The use of being skilled in technology is necessary in order to work at an organization that needs an individual to know how much development of an online course will cost an organization.
In the DETT courses I enjoyed Instructional Design and course development this course challenges skills in the areas of creativity and constructing knowledge based on course curriculum for the autonomous learner. I was very enlightened when I took the Library and Intellectual property course, this course has a wealth of information regarding intellectual property rights for publishing, authors, media and video recordings etc., this was a challenging course but I ended up liking this course and the instructor gave us good information that pertained to law that most of us take for granted.
Throughout the eleven (11) courses plus this current capstone course (OMDE607) I have enjoyed engaging with students in a virtual work space.
I think I am ready to go deeper into the field of distance education by pursuing my final degree in a Doctoral program.
The MDE program has given me sufficient knowledge with skill based education that has equipped me to set up online programs and select appropriate learning tools and resources. As a learner I have seen how past theoretical frameworks in the Distance Wave in Education has changed over time and how it began. Distance educators are in a great time for discovery of what the future has because it is ever evolving with the new technological advancements, along with social media, media literacy and multimedia. Distance educators should be excited about the new wave of innovations and infrastructure of learning and technology that is changing the way teachers, administrators and community stakeholders view online education.
I will always look back to the past for that is where I have my foundation in learning about Distance education. I will use my education to do further research and bring about community awareness that is appropriate to bringing about positive implications to the distance education environment. I will look back on, but not miss, those days, nights and weekends, when those writing assignments were tedious and long, sometimes I was weary but I continued to push on.
Finally, my Capstone Course - OMDE 670 was the culmination of all courses. This course challenged me to look beyond and into the future of distance education. Exploring topics that focused on planning activities such as: Job Listings, Readiness Assessments, UMUC Career Services Reports, Interview Practice, and developing a Strategic Plan for an DE career. These activities were used to enable us as students in demonstrating cumulative knowledge and skills learned in the MDE courses. By applying the applications, strategies and concepts through discussions, assignments and projects I will look back on this educational experience as a solid foundation to build on.
Thanks! so much to Professor Linda Smith for all of her guidance and assistance in helping me complete my final UMUC/MDE journey.
You are the ultimate professional
Cheers!!
Debra Farmer