Artefact # 1 - Critical Review of an article.

Critical review reflection

I first had to find a suitable paper to review. This required search skills and the ability to recognize a problem (1.1, 1.4). The problem was to review an article of merit for the field of distance education that also was already widely recognized. To find a credible piece of work I searched the data bases of the Athabasca University Library to look for an article of my interest in adult and distance learning. Under the topic ‘Journal titles’ I found the “Journal of workplace learning” at ProQuest. In this way there I found an article about “Workplace learning in collaboration with Irish third-level colleges” by Linehan and Sheridan. The topic was especially important to me as my focus lies on adult education on one hand but on the other hand there are hurdles to take like family and shift work. Shift workers need to do classes at their own pace and place, whenever time and family allows for it. Furthermore, those students dropping out of school early might look for opportunities to fix that.

Next I had to evaluate whether the paper was in the right context concerning the field and relevance to the given task (1.5) regarding the review of an article in education. The article “Workplace learning courses in Irish third-level colleges” was a perfect match. The paper states that seven higher education institutions are involved in education for the workplace. When employees take classes from which their company would benefit from, and they are created by a college or university and not by the employer, it would be comparable with distance education as well as with face to face education. Again, shift work as often a part of a job, is addressed.

My careful consideration led me to choose an article in the context of education and also of correspondence course learning. Then I had to look at other papers in order to confirm or refute the findings of my selected article (1.6). Moreover I have been interested in distance education especially regarding adult education. Often people drop out of school too early and later regret they did. Also work and family are hindrances to complete what once was started. There has to be a chance to do learning on one’s own to catch up with the presence (1.7). Actually, besides distance education there is no other chance to learn then by using it independent from the institution and work.

The article itself recognized wider implications of specific knowledge as classes should be created by making allowance for prior knowledge (1.10). To review this article I also needed prior knowledge which only partly comes in by a bachelor degree in business administration yet distance education at this point of writing the first assignment is just a beginning.

Finally, I wrote the review (4.1). The APA style (American Psychological Association) was new to me as in the undergraduate studies MLA (Modern Language Association) was the mainly used style. The review was asking as given by the course for:

• Effective writing and organization
• Importance of the topic or issue
• Supportive evidence
• Relevance to the field of distance education.

The course MDDE601 is well designed and therefore was a big help to create this review. Yet the first assignment considering the task was also a step stone on the way to the aimed degree in the way of preparing for following papers.

Something about the original article

An abstract at the left briefly shows what the authors intended to write about, a paper that deals with adult education with a view on “skill shortages continuing to threaten Ireland’s economic prospects”. A need of “workplace learning programmes” has to be answered.

Seven higher education institutions were picked because they are already members of a Strategic Innovation Fund project sponsored by the Irish government in 2006. There were 433 courses checked.

Linehan and Sheridan conclude, supported by the results of the research that third-level institutions have to become more active regarding workplace learning courses and also have to include employers and employees. Finally also distance learning and its tools are seen as a very usable instrument in the amalgamation of education and workplace. While the article surprisingly mentions it here at first, for myself it is crystal clear that, if third-level institutions offer preponderant in-class courses, those have to satisfy the need of the working people, often involved in shift work and therefore not able to attend classes.

When the content of work changes, courses have to change as well; and institutions need to keep the courses up-to-date, to avoid becoming outdated.

This article recognizes the missing of a particular qualification offer which also could be complemented by the use of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as not every learner starts at the same starting point. The authors conclude their article with the comment that a paradigm shift has to occur to become just to the ever-changing workplace in the twenty-first century.

What have I learned about critical reading

In the undergraduate program reading was limited to knowing the content. Once I made a comment on the argument of an article. Prompt I got a note from the instructor that he did not want to know my opinion but rather my knowledge. Also I was reprimanded that any comment is reserved for graduates already holding a degree.

Keeping my opinion by me suddenly got challenged when I entered the master of education program because now I was asked for my opinion in addition to knowledge of a matter. Altercating one with an argument or allegation newly gets a very new meaning. Everything I hear or read has to be taken apart critically to make a profound statement. Statements are essential to contribute to a theme or field of science.

Ever since every book, article, or theme to be dealt with appears in another light. But being prepared this way paves the way for the whole graduate program. The readings in the program were almost endless, and understand and even dispute them needed a well-grounded preparation. This first assignment, even the whole first course, laid the foundation for a successful study program.

There is one disadvantage left: altercation with theories and books can lead one in the wrong direction. It is not that an opinion could be wrong; it is rather that a theory does not work in practice. At least the practice needs to be known very well to adapt a theory to it by some necessary changes.

Reference

Linehan, M., & Sheridan, I. (2009). "Workplace learning courses in Irish third‐level colleges",

      Journal of Workplace Learning, Vol. 21 Iss: 6, pp.496 - 504. DOI

     http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/13665620910976766