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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
scholar in the field, it is not sufficient to merely conduct and report on your research.
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
Dr. Overbaugh, scholarship in our field includes being an instructional scholar who
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
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
and research. Both Drs. Watson and Adcock emphasized the value of continuously
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.
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
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
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.
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
by our speakers, the success of the person and the continuity of the field are influenced
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
for academic conferences and journals. Leadership and service to the field contributes
discussed in class, not all levels of membership and service are the same; the level of
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