Professional participation

Below are the details of professional activities I have participated in during my past three years in my Ph.D. studies.

Research subjects

Projects I have been serving as a research subject:

• Memory Efficacy on Different Mobile Devices by Hao He, SP 2018
• Human Memory, doctoral dissertation research by Terry L. Britt, FA 2018
• LexMizzou project, FA 2017
• Evaluating Cognitive Load and Perceived Workload with Online Software Training Videos and Practice Files, doctoral dissertation research by Douglas Paul Keuker, FA 2016

What I learned:

• the protocol of conducting a data collection session;
• how to establish the relationship with research subjects before actually collecting data;
• softwares for audio and video data recording like Zoom conferencing tool, Quicktime Player, built-in audio and screen recorders on phones and tablets.

Professional conferences

Conferences:

• Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) 2019 in San Francisco, USA
• Association of Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) 2018 in Kansas City, USA
• MU College of Education Research Day 2018, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA
• University-Industry Interaction Conference (UIIC) 2018 in London, England
• Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) 2018 in Mexico City, Mexico
• MU College of Education Research Day 2017, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA

What I learned:

• attending conferences is a great opportunity to be exposed to new ideas and trends in the research area of my interests, which can help me uncover more research ideas;
• attending conferences benefits the sustainment of existing relationships and helps make new connections with other fellow researchers;
• some conferences do offer travel awards for attendees, which helps defray the cost of attendance.

Trainings

CITI Training 2016-2020

What I learned:

• ethical procedures needed to follow when conducting a study;

Professional networks

Professional networks:

• Learninganalytics
• UREAG, Comparative and International Education Society (CIES)
• Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) for development special interest group, CIES

What I learned:

• being part of a professional network provides me with opportunities to get to know people who have similar research interests like me and who are passionate and committed to promoting the development of that area;
• being part of a network also means having better access to resources and information including funding and employment opportunities in the area of my research interests.

Professional participation on campus

Events:

• Mindful Writing Retreat, Jan 2019
• BI 101, FA 2018
• Proposal Development Overview, Bondi Wood, FA 2018

What I learned:

• how to write a successful proposal;
• funding opportunities for doctoral and doctors in their early career;
• benefits of writing every day;
• how to apply mindfulness to writing.

My overal reflections

During the past three years, I have participanted in various professional activities like serving as a research subject, attending conferences, and taking part in training events. All these activities have helped strengthen my knowledge and techniques to do research. For example, I learned the importance of establishing a relationship with research participants when collecting data and the procedures needed to follow during a data collection session through my serving as a research subject. Attending conferences provides invaluable opportunities to learn from and interact with other researchers. New research ideas can be inspired from listening to the presentations of other fellow scholars. I also have benefited personally and professionally through the participation in professional networks which enable me to make new connections and provide me access to more resources in the field of my interests. The professional workshops and events hosted on campus are also a helpful source of information helping prepared for not only one's Ph.D. studies but also his/her future academic career.

What I still need to improve

There are still other professional activities I have not participated in during the past three years. Some of them are: hosting visitors to campus, initiating and leading a seminar with faculty participation, observing colleagues in an innovative or exemplary program to name a few. Now that my coursework is completed, I plan to take part in more professional activities in the coming year to enrich my experience in doing research and networking.