Applying Promotional Techniques
Instructions: Formulate a draft assignment plan featuring the main headings and sub-headings of the assignment.
Ensure you have good paragraphs of introduction and conclusion with a bibliography reflecting research sources.
Produce a contents list at the commencement of the assignment.
Solution.
Applying Promotional Techniques
Part 1
The degree path that I plan to pursue is a Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education. The reason I am attracted to this area of specialization is that I find this field to be one of the most engaging types of instructional learning or teaching, more so because it entails working with young children. I believe that a lot can be accomplished in this field since numerous research has been conducted on the manner in which children perceive the world and the different ways in which they learn. Most people underestimate the opportunities and possibilities within early childhood Education, which is a situation I yearn to change.
One of the first strategies that I will use to build networks with fellow colleagues is use of professional networking sites. I find this quite an effective method of building and strengthening professional networks with colleagues in the field of education due to the technological capabilities of the current world. The ubiquity of the internet has given rise to a new force –technological, social, economic, political – one that connects not only people within the same geographic area but globally. In this regard, professional networking sites will give me the opportunity to connect with professionals in my field from all over the world. Use of professional networking sites not only increases the chances of building an extensive professional network, but it also gives me a chance to be exposed to professionals with different worldviews, backgrounds and other determining characteristics that increase the diversity of the professional network. Networks that I may consider include sites such as Spoke, LinkedIn, Zoodango, and Ryze.
Another method that I will use to build my professional network is the use of organizations and committees. Clubs, committees, and organizations provide a great opportunity for me to meet other professionals in this field. This will entail attending talks and meetings where I can have the chance of interacting with individual members and finding out more about their opinions, work and other relevant issues. As opposed to the earlier strategy, this one has the extra advantage of allowing for face-to-face, in-person meetings. Face-to-face meetings have some benefits on top of remote meetings. One of these has to do with the fact that they allow speakers to capture attention in a way not possible within a virtual environment. Further, it has been shown that emotions are contagious. Hence, people within a group will mutually influence each other’s attitudes. Face-to-face meetings also make it easier to focus. This is an important fact especially within this modern age of multi-tasking, which is most probably bound to happen during virtual meetings, where people might tempt to check on emails or do something else.
Part 2
One issue with which I am particularly passionate about is the application of Common Core State Standards within Kindergarten classrooms. An example of this practice occurs within the State of Ohio, within the South region, whereby these standards are being implemented in the kindergarten classrooms. The issue comes about since the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC) recognized that the preceding mentioned application of Common Core State Standards to kindergarten classrooms provides both cause for opportunity and concern. The reason for concern comes about since Common Core state standards may not necessarily align with developmentally appropriate practice. The best way to overcome these issues is to subject these standards to formal, data-driven validation studies based on the implementation of the criteria. Hence, I aim to conduct research that will determine why common core state standards are inappropriate for kindergarten.
One professional goal related to the issue mentioned above is to carry out research within this field. Most career people engage within their career paths with only the goals concerning promotion, networking, building new skills, or feeling more confident or happier during the workdays. However, I find that the best way that I can contribute to most of the issue close to my heart within this field is through research. In this regard, I aim to not only carry out research within the field but also to ensure that the research findings come as close to implementation as possible. The problem with most research done is that the conclusions are never implemented hence having a situation whereby people are cognizant of the issues at hand and the possible remedies for these matters but fail to carry out those recommendations; nothing changes.
One personal career path goal that I have is to work in the best possible way with my colleagues. In this case, I aim to be as efficient in communication as possible so as to minimize any communication issues that may crop up in the course of the work. Furthermore, I also aim to care more about my colleagues, particularly those that I will be working in proximity with. This entails simple things such as showing kindness, appreciation and gratitude for their work as well as remembering other significant anniversaries such as birthdays and wedding anniversaries.
