The PgCert experience has changed my life. I see myself now as an Educator (over a Researcher) and have actively changed my career direction due to the lessons I have learned over this course. I have shifted from being a member of the Research Pathway to the Teaching Pathway and have newfound clarity in how I want to positively impact others.
The challenge is however that there is a LOT that I want to achieve and do (ASAP). With that in mind, I originally focused my ARP on content creation – having witnessed my own students’ shortened time spans and ability to learn from bite-sized content snippets. As documented in my own (1st) Ethical Action Plan, I aimed to: explore how higher education content (specifically in my field of fashion marketing) can be transformed into concise, engaging formats suitable for social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube. It will evaluate the effectiveness of “snackable” content in maintaining academic integrity while increasing accessibility and engagement for students.
I believed this research was valuable for several reasons:
- Increased Accessibility: Social media platforms offer an accessible way to deliver educational content. By transforming traditional academic materials into “snackable” formats like short videos or infographics, more students—including those who might struggle with conventional methods—can access and engage with content more easily. This inclusivity is crucial for students with varied learning preferences, time constraints, or disabilities.
- Engagement in Learning: Today’s students are digital natives, accustomed to consuming information quickly and efficiently through SM platforms. By aligning educational content with these familiar formats, institutions can boost engagement, making learning more attractive and digestible. Increased engagement can lead to improved retention and comprehension, as students are more likely to interact with content that feels relevant and engaging to their everyday lives.
- Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Real-World Skills: The project highlights how higher education can adapt to modern communication methods, preparing students for the digital-first world they’ll face in their careers. Learning how to navigate and use social media platforms for knowledge dissemination equips students with practical skills they’ll need in many industries, from marketing to education.
- Promoting Lifelong Learning: Short-form content can reach individuals beyond traditional students, offering continuous education opportunities to graduates or working professionals. This fosters a culture of lifelong learning, where individuals can continue to access educational content in a convenient format as they progress through different stages of their lives.
Only problem? A) This was WAY to ambitious for the amount of time we have on the unit and B) it isn’t clear what I am actually addressing.
Attached are the very helpful notes from Karen on how to possibly improve this research. They complimented my Tutorial 1 peer feedback well where colleagues stated I need to be more realistic with what I can achieve during essentially 4 weeks. My social purpose element also needs to be much clearer.
I am worried as this is the busiest time of year, I am leading a unit with 180+ students and am filling in for staff illness and the time I have to address this project is limited.
I need to go back to the drawing Board.