Doctoral Workshop on Research in Digital Learning
The following is a description of the doctoral workshop jointly hosted by the National Institute for Digital Learning (NIDL) and the new Institute of Education at Dublin City University (DCU) that took place on Wednesday 2nd November 2016 in the St. Patrick’s College, Dublin City University.
Description
Today, I attended a Doctoral Workshop jointly hosted by the National Institute for Digital Learning (NIDL) and the new Institute of Education at Dublin City University (DCU). This workshop was primarily designed for prospective doctoral students who are thinking about embarking on either an EdD or PhD in the general area of Digital Learning. The purpose of the workshop was to:
• answer common questions prospective students have about doctoral study
• identify/discuss potential research topics in the general area of digital learning
• help prospective doctoral students learn how to prepare research proposals.
In the course of the workshop, approximately 30 participants (including me) had an opportunity to discuss how to select the right institution, the right supervisors, the right topic and the most appropriate doctoral study option for their own circumstances. The workshop was opened by Professor Mark Brown who gave an interesting talk on why he pursued a career in educational research. A number of his DCU colleagues from Education / Digital Learning were in attendance including Dr. Deirdre Butler, Dr. Enda Donlon, Dr. Eamonn Costello as well as Visiting Professor Gráinne Conole.
Feelings
Eventually, it came to my turn to describe the topics within digital learning that I may be interested in pursuing a PhD. I was quite nervous as I understood that I would be speaking to a number of respected scholars in the field of digital education. I explained to those gathered at the workshop that I was interested in both research and development in the areas of personalised learning and eAssessment.
Evaluation
Professor Gráinne Conole and Dr. Eamon Costello both suggested that I speak to Professor Vincent Wade (Trinity College, Dublin) as he is an expert in the area of personalised and adaptive learning.
Professor Mark Brown suggested that I have a look at Fish Tree, a US Company specialising in personalised learning software. He also suggested that I might pursue an interdisciplinary PhD (Computer Science and Education) and consider using the Castel research centre in DCU. He also said that I should read what Stephen Downes and George Siemens have to say about personalised learning.
Analysis
We were told that the new DCU Education Department based in a new purpose-built building in the St. Patrick’s College Campus was incorporated on 01/10/16 and consists of 130 Staff and Postgraduate Research Students and 12 Research Centres. This new education department will be headed up by Charlotte Holland with the title Associate Professor, Education, Dublin City University. Her email address is charlotte.holland@dcu.ie.
Conclusions
Professor Mark Brown was at pains to point out that the process of deciding what one’s research question should be is a lengthy one. He repeatedly stated that prospective PhD students should refine their research proposals by having lots of discussions with numerous research staff. It was interesting to hear that a PhD student can choose his/her External Examiner.