Last autumn as I began my graduate studies in Information Management at the University of Washington while working at Microsoft, I was struck by a short biography of Dr. Bror Saxberg hanging on the Wall of Rhodes Scholars. Dr. Saxberg made a significant impact in education by enabling children to maximize their success in life. He did this by focusing on how children learn, how technology could benefit them, and by creating an “economic engine” that allowed his work to be self-funding so that he could continue to innovate. His contributions inspired me to apply both my curiosity for learning and fifteen years of technology design experience to higher goals.
For several years, I have been curious about the role of cognition in human learning, namely: how we learn, unlearn and relearn. How can new technologies can be applied to improve learning? I believe knowing how to learn, unlearn and relearn, especially in collaborative teams, equips us with the ability to know how to apply knowledge and skills to address problems of the 21st century. My goal is to work with the best people possible in order to conduct research and develop technology solutions that help people achieve their full learning potential. The inspiration drawn from Dr. Saxberg’s achievements, along with my experience in academic research, learning sciences and technology design, and recommendations from a group of accomplished faculty at the University of Washington, have convinced me the ideal path to take is to pursue a PhD in PSE / LSTD at Stanford University. This is [a, the] critical next step towards achieving my aspiration.
With the above purpose, preparation and line of inquiry into learning, I wish to explore two specific areas in my research.
First is t...
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...ord’s PSE / LSTD programs provide the best possible environment for me to weave together the threads of my research interests, and help me reach my goal of helping people achieve their full learning potential. While I am drawn to the DIVER project and Professor Pea’s research in technology and education,, I am also very excited by the research undertakings of Professors Brigid Barron, Daniel Schwartz and Paulo Blikstein. I would be honored to be part of any of these teams. I am positive I would learn a great deal. I am also certain that my background and experiences across a the wide variety of experiences that I have been exposed to in both my work and educational pursuits will add to the program as well.
Thank you so much for interest in me as a candidate. I remain truly excited by Stanford, and I hope there is a chance to continue my work in your environment.
The effectiveness of your teaching and learning approaches used in your area of specialism in relation to meeting the individual needs of the learner.
“We believe that technology has the power to transform the classroom. It can pave new ways of thinking. New ways of sparking ideas. Yet the foundation never changes: A dedication to learning that’s always been part of our DNA. We’ve been proud to work alongside educators and students to reinvent what it means to
Distaster?” TechTrends: Linking Research and Practice to Improve Learning. 55.2 (March 2011): 39-45. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 16 October 2011.
I am confident and enthusiastic about my proposed interest areas and I believe I have the necessary skills and competence to become an asset to Stanford University. With my ability to self-learn, persevere and work hard, I am sure that I can face the university’s highly challenging environment. I am aware that to excel in the program, I would have to meet the high standards set by the university. I am confident that I can foster a symbiotic relationship with the university and its students. With this, I humbly ask for the golden opportunity to be admitted to Stanford University.
Kervin, L., Vialle, W., Herrington, J. & Okely, T. (2006). Research for educators. Cengage Learning Australia.
Speech-language pathology is my number one career choice. I have spent the last four years studying this field and have put an overwhelming amount of hard work and time into my education. I have gone above and beyond what I ever thought possible for myself, and I am ready to continue my education at the graduate level. Beginning my first month away at college, I contributed at least 30 hours of service throughout the community every semester, while maintaining a consistent appearance on the Illinois State Dean’s List. Following my freshmen year, I applied for and was accepted into the honors program after seeking more intense interaction and application of the material I was learning in the classroom. Throughout my junior year and currently in my senior year, I have taken on leadership roles such as ser...
For many, the term technology “invites a tools-first emphasis” (Olgren 2000, p. 7) when in fact the real issue is how to choose and use any technology in a way that will enhance learning (Ginsburg 1999; Wagner 2001). The question should not be whether to use technology simply because it is available but rather whether it can be used to create learning opportunities that were impossible or impractical without it; a related question is how new learning technologies can be used appropriately in conjunction with traditional teaching and learning tools (Ginsburg 1999; Phillips and Kelly 2000). New technologies have an im...
Novin, A., Arjomand, L. and Jourdan, L. Teaching & Learning, Fall 2003, Volume 18, Number 1, pp. 24-31. Available from : http://www.und.nodak.edu/dept/ehd/journal/Fall2003/novin.pdf [ Accessed 2nd December
Learning is a continuous process and the day that you stop learning is the day that you start decreasing your rewards and lower levels of satisfaction. My ardent desire to acquire knowledge has motivated me to pursue higher studies at graduate level, and to take up a career in research in industry. I have taken this decision after carefully considering my academic background, profound interest in research and strong aptitude for problem solving.
Jonassen, D., Howland, J., Marra, R. M., & Crismond, D. (2008). Meaningful Learning with Technology (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education.
I am aware of the hard work and perseverance necessary for research work and I know that it is not always as exciting as the published results seem to indicate. Nevertheless, I am sure that my aptitude and drive will see me through the challenge. It is with this in mind, that I look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with your university as a graduate student, I take this opportunity to thank the University faculty for their patient perusal of my application.
Creswell, J.W.(2008). Educational Research: Planning Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research. Pearson 3rd Ed
The issues discussed in this essay are relevant for all life-long students and educators who seek to embrace technology and an increase in communication between people of similar interests and desires to move forward with their personal goals. So many nations and people have been kept uninformed and uneducated for far too long and the edu-tech visionaries recognize the wasted opportunities presented via humankind's greatest invention. This population, students and educators envision the collaborative power and seek facilitation "through increased efficiency and effectiveness" (Courville, 2011, p. 3 ). They are a worthy audience for this topic because they embrace all the hope which arises from the proper and expedient use of the tools in existence today.
Ormrod, Jeanne Ellis. "7." Educational Psychology: Developing Learners. 8th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2014. N. pag. Print.
I would like to contribute to the research going on in your University to the best of my capacity and utilize the facilities in a responsible manner. I am confident that I can deliver and live up to my expectations with the best of conduct. Thanking for giving me an opportunity to apply to your prestigious university.