deciding your course pathway 2

Module Choices | Raymond Sheehan | November 18th, 2001

Thanks, Francesca, for your comments on-list about this topic. Your suggestion about using IIC to deal with management discourse at micro-level is certainly worth considering. Thanks also to CPS for the off-list comments (which even included a generous offer to read an IIC assignment). Despite all this, I'm still dithering (though in one direction more than another, if that's possible).

I did wonder what sources and what principles underlie module choices and sequencing: is it a question of "I know a lot about that already, so it'll be easy?" Or the opposite "I know nothing about that and I really need/want to learn"? "I'll start off with what interests me the most" or "I'll keep what I think will be the really good stuff for last"? Or principled selection such as "Building a linguistic foundation should come before practice"? What other principles might apply?

As more and more modules are added to a course, does the process of planning a pathway become more of a nightmare - or easier? Does anybody long for a simple course of core modules done in a prescribed sequence within a recommended time-line? Probably not, but it might make DL more focused and targeted... Sometimes, working to other people's deadlines may be easier than meeting one's own.

How many CPs stick to the Foundation pathway? And isn't it a good idea, as outlined in the Newsletter, to have an annual "renewal of vows" as we look at our original plotted pathway and see how close we are or how far we've deviated?

Speaking of the newsletter, does anybody play this identification game that I indulge in, wondering from contextual clues who might have written it in any given month? This time, I was led to believe it was a man, then excluded certain male staff members simply because they were mentioned 3 rd person... How far do you have to go into the newsletter before you realize ...ah, it must be X?

Raymond Sheehan

Re: Module Choices | Jerry Talandis Jr. | November 19th, 2001

Hello Raymond,

It's Jerry, from Japan. Thanks for your interesting questions about module choices. I'd like to contribute some thoughts:

I think there are several factors that underlie module choices for CPs. Off the top of my head, there are areas of interest, self-confidence, are future goals/plans. It's a complex mix of variables that come out differently for different people. Personality factors also play a role. Take your example, for instance:

... is it a question of "I know a lot about that already, so it'll be easy?" Or the opposite "I know nothing about that and I really need/want to learn"? "I'll start off with what interests me the most" or "I'll keep what I think will be the really good stuff for last"?

I don't think there is a right or wrong here, it's just a question of preferences. Some people like to do the easy stuff first and put off the pain until later, while others like to get the pain over as quickly as possible. Some people like to open up a chocolate bar right away, while others will put it in the freezer, waiting for just the right moment to enjoy it. Or, like me: I always watch the movie trailers and read the reviews before the movie comes out. I want to see what I want to see as soon as possible! For example, before the new Star Trek TV show ("Enterprise") came out a few months ago, I went to the Internet and downloaded various scenes from the pilot. I couldn't wait! My boss, Susan, a fellow Trekker, would NEVER do such a thing. She refuses to read any media about the show until she has watched the episodes herself. I tried to do that once with Star Wars, Episode I, but I found the experience too difficult. In addition, my wife and I decided to find out the sex of our child as soon as we could instead of waiting for the birth. I wanted to know so that we could begin preparations immediately. Other friends preferred to wait, and I totally see their point.

Same thing seems to apply for module choices. I decided to start off with MET, largely because linguistic modules scare me, and I want to get off to a good start on the program by covering familiar territory. As it's turning out, I've decided to investigate pair work conversations in my Discussion class, so my MET assignment will be including a lot of IIC stuff. This is helping me get over my aversion to applied linguistics, as I find it providing some answers to long held questions. My friend Julia is planning to do TDA and IIC after FND, reasoning that getting the hard stuff over sooner is best. I couldn't do that, but her reasoning makes sense, so all the best to her!

As more and more modules are added to a course, does the process of planning a pathway become more of a nightmare - or easier?

I think harder, definitely. Already there is this huge "I want to do everything" problem for most CPs. It's like going to a buffet with a small plate. I think this situation will make it more important for people to really think hard about what they want and why they want it. If that process is fruitful, then having more courses available should increase the satisfaction level. Sometimes I want to take certain courses for various reasons, but since I can't take them all, I have to prioritize. Having more modules will force people to prioritize more. It won't be easy, but I can think of a lot worse problems! It's a "good" problem to have.

I think some people may like the idea of a required module sequence, but I don't think that would ever happen. The powers that be seek to empower us, and one way to do that is to trust us to make our own decisions about what is best. We are held accountable for coming up with sound reasoning. I think the system as is is fine.

Finally, I support the process of "renewing vows." That makes sense. Doesn't everyone do this? Life changes, so it's natural our pathway will as well. As I learn and gain experience, I get more info to make a better choice. CPs should be in touch with their tutors about this issue.

To sum up, I think the process of deciding modules is hard because it forces one to struggle with big life questions such as "what do I want?" and "Why?" Those are never easy, but one needs to engage in them. Having more courses will make things tougher, but hopefully the greater range of topics will enable CPs to get a better, more satisfying education.

Thanks for raising this topic. I know it's a relavant one to all of us.

Jerry Talandis

Re: Module Choices | Francesca | November 19th, 2001

Dear Raymond,

You're doubts over which modules to choose is one that we must all have had at times and which I've been thinking about recently as I mull over possible dissertation topics.

I've considered all the factors you mentioned when making module choices but what seems to predominate is what will be most useful to me in my context. For this reason, a prescribed course would certainly be less attractive as it would no doubt have elements that would be of less use to me. The second factor is interest as I believe that we, as distance learners, need an above average level of motivation and, therefore, personal interest in the topic is highly important to keep us going. How much I already know about the area isn't so important to me as I'm here to learn and not compete, for this reason I've done both management modules despite knowing virtually nothing about management and knowing that my chances of an 'A' would be low from the outset. My exception to this strategy was with my first module, MET, which I choose because I felt I would be strong in this area and wanted to start off well - a psychological trick recommended in a book on learning strategies which I read prior to starting the course and which worked out.

I liked your tip on reading the newsletter. It is a bit strange reading the personal introduction when you don't know who the person is. Your game should make it more fun.

Anyway, tell us when you've decided what you are doing and how you decided. It might help other people make their own choices.

Francesca

Re: Module Choices | Andy | November 19th, 2001

To join the discussion:

I think a good way to decide module choices is to read previous assignments completed by participants. One of the strong points of the MET module is that it includes an assignment completed by L Pierre (a previous participant). This helps to give us some direction with our own research........

With that in mind, if anyone would like to share a completed LEX assignment with me, I would be extremely grateful and interested to read it!!!!!!

I can send anyone interested a completed MET - TDA - IIC or MAP assignment!!!!!!!!!!

This may help you decide which path to take

Andy in Japan