BLOG: Response

peer 1

MondayAug 28 at 3:39pm

Manage Discussion Entry

Practical Skills to Master Academia

Embarking on further graduate studies, such as the doctorate in nursing practice, will come with its own set of challenges. However, it is vital that I anticipate these challenges to develop strategies around them for success.  The key to my success will come from employing skills that have been effective in the past and looking to adopt new strategies to succeed.

The concurrent responsibilities of my full-time job and a rigorous doctoral program make time a precious commodity. Academic research rigor, coursework, and DNP project completion will compete for time with personal and professional commitments. Therefore, I must utilize time management skills and time-blocking, which have worked for me as a project manager and in my previous graduate studies. Organizing one’s time through careful planning and timetabling is critical for optimal time utilization. I can earmark specific task durations and establish due dates by creating a detailed agenda. These time blocks allow tasks to be done more efficiently by reducing time spent on context or task switching, enhancing productivity (Soatova, 2023).

In identifying a strategy for improvement that I have not tried yet, I think of artificial intelligence (AI) powered digital writing assistant programs like Grammarly Premium. This technology was unavailable seven years ago when I last did graduate studies. This program assists in my writing skills and helps with writing anxiety. Writing at a doctoral level is undoubtedly stressful, especially since I have been out of graduate school for over seven years. This resource allows me to develop my writing skills further. Nazari (2021), in a randomized controlled trial, suggested that AI-powered writing tools could effectively promote learning through formative feedback and assessment in academic writing.

In conclusion, I must look to beneficial strategies that have worked for me to employ to make my doctoral student process a success. In addition, I look to adopt new techniques that can be beneficial, given my strengths and potential areas for improvement, like my writing. I am fully committed to implementing these strategies while understanding a doctoral program’s unique challenges to meet my academic, personal, and professional goals.

References

Nazari, N., Shabbir, M., & Setiawan, R. (2021). Application of artificial intelligence powered digital writing assistant in higher education: Randomized controlled trial. Heliyon, 7(5), e07014. 
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07014
Links to an external site.

Soatova, S. (2023). Time management in administration. Science and innovation, 2(6). 
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8102528
Links to an external site.

Peer 2

TuesdayAug 29 at 12:56pm

Manage Discussion Entry

Online Learning

            Throughout my time as an online student, I have had the chance to try out several techniques that have helped me immensely, especially in organization and efficiency. The use of the Pomodoro Technique is one such method that sticks out. This method recommends dividing your study or work time into 25-minute chunks separated by 5-minute breaks. After completing four such periods, a lengthier rest is taken, often lasting between fifteen and thirty minutes. This approach helps with attention and avoids burnout with its frequent pauses (Quadir et al., 2022).

            The Pomodoro Technique helped me get more done throughout my college years. Due to my propensity for distraction, setting aside dedicated study time helped me become more efficient with my time. In addition, by having specific objectives for each period, I fostered a feeling of success as I crossed items off my to-do list. However, collaborative online note-taking is an uncharted method that might supplement my talents and opportunities for improvement. Even though I am very good at working independently and meeting deadlines, sharing notes with classmates online would be a great way to further my education. By discussing my thoughts and findings with others, I could learn more about the topic and solidify my comprehension (Garcia et al., 2019). This approach coincides with my fondness for using technological tools and addresses a room for development: the intentional pursuit of other points of view.

            If I got my Ph.D. online, I could join online study groups with other students and produce notes on class lectures and assigned readings. This method promotes group study and forces me to modify how I study to fit in with other students (Kuo et al., 2017). Despite the impersonal nature of the internet, participating in debates and comparing interpretations will help me learn more and feel more connected to the group.

References

Garcia, E., Moizer, J., Wilkins, S., & Haddoud, M. Y. (2019). Student learning in higher education through blogging in the classroom. Computers & Education, 136, 61–74.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360131519300776
Links to an external site.

Kuo, Y. C., Belland, B. R., & Kuo, Y. T. (2017). Learning through blogging: Students’ perspectives in collaborative blog-enhanced learning communities. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 20(2), 37–50.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/90002162
Links to an external site.

Quadir, B., Yang, J. C., & Chen, N. S. (2022). The effects of interaction types on learning outcomes in a blog-based interactive learning environment. Interactive Learning Environments, 30(2), 293-306.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10494820.2019.1652835