A521.7.4.RB_Knowledge Sharing Story

I like to think of myself as a helpful person and I am always trying to find ways to share my knowledge. People often call me the “go-to person” because I can either solve the problem or I can direct you to the person who can. With that being said it can be difficult to pinpoint a really good knowledge sharing story because I tend to think that I just my daily life but I shall do my best to describe one to the best of my ability.

In the fall of 2011 I contemplated starting my Master’s degree. At that time I had looked at a few different programs and was very intrigued by the MSLD program offered at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Worldwide. This program was new and not many students (current or prospective) or staff members were aware of it. I had spoken to a coworker of mine who too was debating going back for her Master’s degree and we decided to start the program together. I knew a lot about the foundation of this program as I was a part of the committee that helped approve and lay the ground work for it although I didn’t know anything about the curriculum (nor what would be expected of the students)

When we started the program I had anticipated a good bit of writing was going to be in store but I didn’t know what the requirements would be for formatting. Luckily my Undergraduate degree was in Communications which was a very writing intensive program and I was familiar in both MLA and APA formatting. In order to ensure success for my friend who had been out of the classroom setting longer than I had been I decided it would be a good thing for her if I created APA templates. These templates would allow for her to add the content but guarantee the formatting would be correct. My knowledge of formatting helped not only my friend stay successful and competitive in the program but it also helped me to do what I love to do and that is to help other and see them succeed. Now I never helped her with the content of her work asides from proofing and editing (other things I like to do) but I was able to help her feel more comfortable getting back in the college setting. She is now more confident in her writing and formatting abilities which helps to build confidence for future classes.

Side Note: I have been working in education for almost 5 years and I understand that students are more afraid of their writing classes than some math classes and it’s not because they cannot write it’s that they cannot apply proper formatting. If I can help a student overcome their fear by providing basic formatting templates I feel I am enabling that student for success. Although I feel emphasis should be placed on execution (formatting & grammar) I think the best way to evaluate a student’s knowledge base is through their content. Retention of content should always hold precedence over formatting as education should be about the levels of absorption of the knowledge being learned.