Instructional Technology (IT) Professional Learning Community
Instructional Technology (IT) Professional Learning Community is a dynamic and active learning community essentially for full time and part time Ph.D. and Ed.D. applicants and candidates in the College of Education’s Instructional Technology Program. Students who are earning an Education Specialist Certificate (EdS) or a Master’s degree who are interested in research and who may be pursuing doctoral studies at a future date are encouraged to attend. Students enrolled in degree programs in other academic areas of the College of Education are similarly welcomed. The Professional Learning Community is a structured cohort where participants discuss relevant topics in pursuing doctoral study, conducting doctoral research, delivering presentations at local, national, and international meetings, and writing journal articles, book chapters, and proposals for professional publications.
Typical sessions include preparation for written and oral comprehensive examinations, organized study groups and preparation practices, Human Investigation Committee protocol, committee structure for comprehensive exams and dissertation, nature of the major and the cognate comprehensive examinations, filing paperwork and other college and university logistics, etc. In addition, participants take advantage of the myriad opportunities provided by the Wayne State University Office of Teaching and Learning and engage in fruitful discussion and professional networking with successful graduates and practitioners in the field. Many of the Learning Community activities are supported by the IT program and its distinguished teaching faculty who merge theory and practice with their curriculum and instruction.
With its dedicated Blackboard, participants are kept informed of shadowing opportunities, conference participation, manuscript writing, and general professional development. We continue to build on our service commitment to the Wayne State University students in residence living by engaging them in a workshop on resume writing and interviewing techniques.
Our theme is Connecting through Sharing and Caring with a four-fold foci: We connect academically. We connect professionally. We connect with university services. We connect with undergraduates by providing community service.
Meetings are held monthly from the beginning of classes in September through the ending of classes in April of the following year. Participants meet for dinner at the University Towers Residence Dining from 6:00 PM to 6:50 pm and then retreat to the Residence Living Room for the formal program from 7:00 pm through 8:30 pm.
Dr. James L. Moseley, Associate Professor (Moseley@wayne.edu), Dr. Michael Barbour, Assistant Professor (mkb@wayne.edu), and Mr. Jason Siko, Peer Mentor (sikojp@gmail.com), facilitate the activities of IT Professional Learning Community.