Short version: #NMN encapsulated what I had in mind when signing up for the MACT program.
As a writer/editor who has always been a geek (my family owned one of Edmonton's very first Macintosh computers in 1984), a degree combining communications and technology seemed a natural fit. But, although I'm doing just fine in the program, I'm finding the theoretical and academic aspects a bit daunting. I have already had several papers criticized for not displaying enough "academic rigour"—in fact, one comment read, "This section sounds as if it could have been published in a magazine," and it was NOT meant as a compliment.
Fair enough. I'm trying, really I am. And there's no escaping it: the MACT road won't get any less rigorous in year two.
In contrast, my two electives this winter have given me plenty of opportunities to roll up my sleeves and play around with technology. I've had fun, I've learned plenty, and I have actually achieved some good in the real world—last semester with a pilot SMS project for Edmonton's Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative, and now this semester with my successful petition to save McDougall Church.
That petition has certainly dominated my last few weeks in NMN, and obviously represents my most memorable takeaway (online petitions matter—who knew?). But the semester has been filled with other enriching encounters with new media—from our podcasts, to our Animotos, to our selfie analyses, to this very blog.
Ah, yes, the blog. It's been so much fun writing (and reading!) this blog as the course progressed, to grapple with the course materials and assignments in such a lively and entertaining forum, and to follow the parallel adventures of my classmates. I wouldn't dream of forcing my friends and family to read a research paper I might write for a typical university class, but I was excited to share links to my major blog posts for this class—and to then see retweets and highly gratifying view counts.
I've had fun, I've generated lots of good work, I've gained TONS of new knowledge and practical experience, and I've even helped effect change. Like I said, this is the MACT I signed up for.
Scott, thanks for commenting and sharing your final thoughts. I think we can all "read" your enthusiasm here for all things technology and communication oriented. Yes, academic rigour will be just as important in your second year of the programme and you've now had one year to practise that skill! Also, how great that your petition was successful. You've certainly mastered the technicalities of writing for social media.
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