Completing the initial pieces of my project has proven to be extremely challenging. I am only at the beginning stage where I have to prepare the necessary things but time and unforeseen circumstances are serving as boulders on the road that are difficult to move past to. How could I overcome them?

               I obtained a partnership with a public school for my special requirement last February 28, 2024. The process was a bit slow but the day I came to the campus to have the consent form signed was the day I felt one of the boulders in my way clearing. It was relieving to finally have sought an institution where I could provide my services. I was also determined to conduct a research project rather than an instructional design which intimidated me. I was unfamiliar with the latter despite having taken a course regarding it in my 2nd year at UPOU. With research, I feel more at ease to work and move. My experiences in conducting research for the last 3 years of high school have equipped me with experience in how to structure one. 

             I was especially interested in exploring the effectiveness of Educational Multimedia Materials (EMMs) for my research project. The area of learning materials has piqued my interest after taking Instructional Media Resources and Design of Educational Multimedia Materials courses in the last term of my 3rd year and 1st term of my 4th year. I was so decisive about it and visualized myself using it as a research topic. However, setbacks happened and I had to rethink my plans. I am currently looking for a new partner institution as I write this journal entry and this time, I have changed my mind on pursuing the research project. 

            Speaking with our Faculty-In-Charge made me realize how little time I have left if I choose to continue the research path. I was initially planning on gathering grade 7-10 students as my research participants for my focus group discussion. However, their school year and our 2nd term are soon coming to an end. The schedule is tight and with how many units I am currently taking, it is impossible to continue the project despite my fervent interest in it. Despite the derailment of my plans, I am now much more determined to conduct an instructional design project. 

             I realized how in line it is with my interest in learning materials because instructional design plays an important role in the instructional system. Through it, lessons are given more substance, and the personalization of learning is enhanced (Redding, 2018). These are the factors that attracted me to the design and development of learning materials. If I were to conduct an instructional design, I could use it as a way to apply my interest to practice and exercise my previous learnings of the said subject like applying the ASSURE Model. 

          The planning stage of my project is still unfinished. There is still so much to do and the clock is ticking, urging me to move. These obstacles on my way are hard to overcome which made me realize how much I should be prepared and adaptable in the face of every challenge that comes my way. This is the type of thinking that I will surely remember in the coming months. 

Reference:

Redding, S. (2018). Instructional Design. ERIC. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED607628.pdf