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Statement of Purpose |
The interdisciplinary High Performance Wireless Research and Education Network (HPWREN)1, which is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), encompasses the provision and network analysis of high-speed wireless broadband connectivity to field researchers (e.g., ecologists and astrophysicists) and rural San Diego tribal lands (e.g., Pala and La Jolla Native American reservations). In conjunction with my work as a senior writer and educator with the HPWREN project at the San Diego Supercomputer Center, I would like to pursue a doctorate degree in Educational Technology at SDSU/USD. My doctorate education will be fully supported through a research assistantship with the HPWREN project and will explicitly allow me to collaborate with the NSF's Advanced Networking Infrastructure and Research (ANIR) Division, which strives to better understand both technical and educational implications of broadband network infrastructures. |
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Theoretical and Applied Research Interests |
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The Ed.D. program at SDSU/USD will allow me to build upon the knowledge that I have acquired through the master's program at San Diego State University's School of Communication. During the past year of study at SDSU, I have found myself particularly intrigued by the works of Popper2, Kuhn3, Lakatos4, and Laudan5 as well as the applied works of researchers such as Bandura6, Rogers7, Rice8, and Valente9. In addition to my interest in attaining additional knowledge in the realms of theory (i.e., diffusion of innovations, change theory, social learning theory, and social impact assessment), I am also interested in continuing my applied research with the HPWREN project. Specifically, I would like to focus my doctorate research on HPWREN's impacts upon participating research and education communities - working with the Pala Native American Learning Center and the SDSU Field Stations Program. I am primarily interested in conducting a longitudinal study related to the diffusion of broadband connectivity among these two groups and better assisting them with the implementation of educational technology. Specifically, the HPWREN includes both Pala Learning Center and SDSU's Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve. I envision a project that not only connects these locations via technology (that is the easy part!), but also provides the learning center students with an opportunity to learn from the ecological reserve data. For instance, we are currently collecting real-time images and weather data at the reserve; these are stored on a web server that can be easily accessed, however, the interface is not exactly user-friendly for children. I propose a project that develops a 1) curriculum to incorporate remote environmental monitoring into the classroom, 2) hands-on laboratory activities that include fieldtrips to the reserve (spring, summer, fall, winter), and 3) digital library development that creates a more user friendly environment for children accessing and understanding the data. This type of project might also serve as a prototype for collegiate-level projects, as educational opportunities involving real-time data are currently new to most learning environments.
Example research questions for my proposed doctorate work include the following: Lessons learned from this research project will be threefold: educational, technological, and environmental impacts. Educators can use the program as a prototype for future programs involving real-time data in the classroom setting, computer scientists will be able to better understand educational applications of broadband telecommunications, and environmental scientists will learn ways of implementing ecological information into seminars and college curricula of their own.
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| Coursework |
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Though I am very enthusiastic about the dissertation aspect of my doctorate work, I am also eager to participate in the graduate seminars in the SDSU-USD Joint Doctoral Program. Although I am a novice at quantitative research design, I am currently enrolled in Professor Dozier's Quantitative Research Methods class in the SDSU School of Communication - I love statistics! Though the course is challenging, I truly hope to pursue additional coursework that will allow me to build more quantitative research skills. I am also interested in learning more about qualitative research design, as I do believe in a multi-methodological approach - when possible.
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| Teaching |
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Although I have been teaching telecommunications and Internet courses at community colleges and Native American reservations since 1998, I have not yet taught at a four-year university. However, I am interested in doing so; specifically, I am interested in classroom experiments that utilize distance education to bridge the gap often present between rural communities and four-year institutions. Currently, I am familiar with multicast tools (vic and rat) as well as unicast tools (netmeeting); however, I am very interested in learning more about additional distance education technologies and hope to gain more experience in this arena to complement my traditional classroom teaching experience.
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Future Research Intentions |
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Upon completion of my doctorate work, I will continue to conduct research, write, and teach classes regarding telecommunications and environmental issues. Ideally, I plan to work as a principal investigator and pursue funding from an array of agencies such as the National Science Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Education.
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Enclosures and Personal Note |
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I sincerely believe that my professional, academic, and personal experiences have provided me with the necessary background to be successful in your doctorate program. My work experience, which encompasses several years in both teaching and research environments, is described within my resume. Meanwhile, my personal endeavors in educational outreach activities, tidepool monitoring, and freelance writing projects continue to enhance my potential to succeed with a doctorate program that allows me to conduct a dissertation project related to both educational technology and real-time environmental monitoring. Acceptance into the SDSU/USD doctorate program in Education would not only be a privilege for me, but a genuine honor for my entire family. As a first generation college student at Western Kentucky University, I only dreamed of being able to attend graduate school; however, I am quite pleased that I will finish my master's degree at SDSU this year. To continue these studies and earn an Ed.D. would be a dream come true, and I sincerely hope that you will consider me as a graduate student in your program!
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References |
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1 Braun, H-W., Vernon, F. L., & Bruch, K. M. (2000-2002). High Performance Wireless Research and Education Network. Retrieved from http://hpwren.ucsd.edu/ 2Popper, K. R. (1959). The logic of scientific discovery. New York: Basic Books. 3Kuhn, T. S. (1970). Postscript-1969. The structure of scientific revolutions (2nd ed.) Chicago: University of Chicago. 4Lakatos, I. (1970). Falsification and the methodology of scientific research programmes. In I. Lakatos and I. Musgrave (Eds.) Criticism and the growth of knowledge. Cambridge University Press. 5Laudan, L. (1977). From theories to research traditions. In L. Laudan (Ed.) Progress and its problems: Towards a theory of scientific growth (pp. 70-120). Los Angeles: University of California Press. 6Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. 7Rogers, E. M. (1995). Diffusion of innovations (4th ed.). New York: Free Press. 8Rice, R. E. (1994). Network analysis and computer-mediated communication systems. In S. Wasserman & J. Galaskiewicz (Eds.) Advances in social network analysis (pp. 167-203). Newbury Park, CA: Sage. 9Valente, T. W. (1993). Diffusion of innovations and policy decision-making. Journal of Communication, 43, 30-45.
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