IDT 810: Guest Speaker Synthesis Jennifer Maddrell 1

Research opportunity and obligation: We began the semester by proclaiming our

license to do research. As we heard from our presenters, research opportunities can take

many forms depending upon the person’s interests, as well as his or her chosen career

path either inside or outside of higher education. However, embedded within each guest

speaker’s presentation was an underlying message that a PhD grants not only an

opportunity to research, but also an obligation to synthesize and share the knowledge that

is gained with others. As suggested by the speakers, fulfillment of this obligation comes

through sustained contribution to the field and is where scholarship lives.

Scholarship: Dr. Morrison suggested that in order to be labeled by your peers as a

scholar in the field, it is not sufficient to merely conduct and report on your research.

Rather, a scholar is fully immersed in deep reflection and synthesis in areas of

significance to research and practice and offers a range of sustained contributions to the

field, including mentorship and service. Dr. Adcock suggested that attainment of this

level of scholarship often requires commitment to an area of specialization. In the case of

Dr. Overbaugh, scholarship in our field includes being an instructional scholar who

evaluates the quality of specific instructional interventions versus a traditional researcher

who conducts experimental research. Also, as seen in Dr. Watson’s career, the path to

scholarship may not lead directly from graduate school to a faculty position, but may

include research and practice in a range of positions.

Read and publish: All of the speakers discussed their past and upcoming

publications and stressed the importance of both reading relevant literature and

participating in academic conferences and journals. Dr. Overbaugh noted the need to read

both prior and current publications in order to ground your work within relevant theory

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IDT 810: Guest Speaker Synthesis Jennifer Maddrell 2

and research. Both Drs. Watson and Adcock emphasized the value of continuously

synthesizing articles and of finding an organizational method which aids in future

reference. Dr. Morrison suggested an important reason for writing and presenting is to

stake a claim within a research area and to record for others your findings.

Dr. Morrison also discussed the significance of publishing in recognized and

respected academic journals. However, I struggle to reconcile the previously noted

obligation to share gained knowledge with the hiding of intellectual capital behind the

walled gardens of academic journals. I believe that scholars in our field must strike a

better balance between publishing their works in quality academic journals and fulfilling

their obligation to openly share knowledge with interested parties.

Scholarship at a distance: Near and dear to my heart are the opportunities for

developing scholars who are studying at a distance. As I asked Drs. Watson and Adcock, I

question what may be lost when want-to-be scholars are schooled at a distance. What

opportunities are lost and can the experience be effectively replicated (dare I say

enhanced) through mediated communication? It is possible that the distance can be

bridged through the next topic … mentorship.

Mentorship: Drs. Adcock and Watson urged each of us to find a mentor. All

presenter noted people they met or worked with in their careers who offered support and

opportunities which helped to define and shape their area of study. In addition, Dr.

Morrison highlighted the reciprocal obligation of mentorship. While it is important to

find a mentor as a developing scholar, it is equally important for those established in their

careers to fulfill an obligation to the field to reach out and support mentees. As suggested

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IDT 810: Guest Speaker Synthesis Jennifer Maddrell 3

by our speakers, the success of the person and the continuity of the field are influenced

by the support offered by others.

However, in reviewing my notes, I realized a lack of discussion with the faculty

members of their classroom teaching obligations. How are classroom teaching skills

learned in our field? While we are all trained as instructional designers, few of us are

trained as instructors. Also, in terms of balancing priorities and workload, how is their

time balanced between teaching and research? Is teaching viewed as a task that takes time

away from research and publishing obligations? All questions I should have asked.

Membership and service: Drs. Adcock and Morrison discussed the importance of

participation and leadership in professional organizations, including service as a reviewer

for academic conferences and journals. Leadership and service to the field contributes

toward the fulfillment of both scholarly opportunity and obligations. However, as we

discussed in class, not all levels of membership and service are the same; the level of

benefit from participation is related to the person’s level of involvement.

Follow a passion: Saving the best for last … I end with the importance of

following a passion. While not explicitly stated by all guest speakers, it was clear that

passion drives their agenda. My key take-a-way is the guidance to choose an area of

study that goes beyond general interest and to prepare for the opportunity and obligation

of its scholarly pursuit.

Submitted: April 11, 2009