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IDT 810: Guest Speaker Synthesis

Jennifer Maddrell 1

Research opportunity and obligation: We began the semester by proclaiming our

license to do research. As we heard from our presenters, research opportunities can take

many forms depending upon the person\u2019s interests, as well as his or her chosen career
path either inside or outside of higher education. However, embedded within each guest
speaker\u2019s presentation was an underlying message that a PhD grants not only an

opportunity to research, but also an obligation to synthesize and share the knowledge that

is gained with others. As suggested by the speakers, fulfillment of this obligation comes

through sustained contribution to the field and is where scholarshipli ves.

Scholarship: Dr. Morrison suggested that in order to be labeled by your peers as a

scholar in the field, it is not sufficient to merely conduct and report on your research.

Rather, a scholar is fully immersed in deep reflection and synthesis in areas of
significance to research and practice and offers a range of sustained contributions to the
field, including mentorship and service. Dr. Adcock suggested that attainment of this
level of scholarship often requires commitment to an area of specialization. In the case of
Dr. Overbaugh, scholarship in our field includes being an instructional scholar who
evaluates the quality of specific instructional interventions versus a traditional researcher
who conducts experimental research. Also, as seen in Dr. Watson\u2019s career, the path to
scholarship may not lead directly from graduate school to a faculty position, but may
include research and practice in a range of positions.

Read and publish: All of the speakers discussed their past and upcoming

publications and stressed the importance of both reading relevant literature and
participating in academic conferences and journals. Dr. Overbaugh noted the need to read
both prior and current publications in order to ground your work within relevant theory

Submitted: April 11, 2009

IDT 810: Guest Speaker Synthesis

Jennifer Maddrell 2

and research. Both Drs. Watson and Adcock emphasized the value of continuously

synthesizing articles and of finding an organizational method which aids in future

reference. Dr. Morrison suggested an important reason for writing and presenting is to

stake a claim within a research area and to record for others your findings.

Dr. Morrison also discussed the significance of publishing in recognized and
respected academic journals. However, I struggle to reconcile the previously noted
obligation to share gained knowledge with the hiding of intellectual capital behind the
walled gardens of academic journals. I believe that scholars in our field must strike a
better balance between publishing their works in quality academic journals and fulfilling
their obligation to openly share knowledge with interested parties.

Scholarship at a distance: Near and dear to my heart are the opportunities for

developing scholars who are studying at a distance. As I asked Drs. Watson and Adcock, I
question what may be lost when want-to-be scholars are schooled at a distance. What
opportunities are lost and can the experience be effectively replicated (dare I say

enhanced) through mediated communication? It is possible that the distance can be

bridged through the next topic \u2026mentorship.

Mentorship: Drs. Adcock and Watson urged each of us to find a mentor. All

presenter noted people they met or worked with in their careers who offered support and
opportunities which helped to define and shape their area of study. In addition, Dr.
Morrison highlighted the reciprocal obligation of mentorship. While it is important to

find a mentor as a developing scholar, it is equally important for those established in their

careers to fulfill an obligation to the field to reach out andsupport mentees. As suggested

Submitted: April 11, 2009