I feel like the concepts of theory and philosophy we have covered so far have been beneficial in providing a foundation for the type of thinking we should be doing once we complete the program. It is often far too easy to get caught up in the specific details of our assignments, and we tend to lose focus on the bigger picture. We are going to be the ones to define what it means to learn and develop our own theories of learning that will inform practices of the future. I definitely understand why this is a course that is planned as part of the first-year coursework instead of the final year, as I can definitely see how this renewed focus could have been beneficial in providing greater insight into the work I have completed.

The work in this course has definitely helped immerse me in a more Ph.D. thinking mindset as I approach my assignments and research for my portfolio requirements. While I feel exploring the learning theories further has been a nice refresher, I do not believe the theories that inform my personal learning theory have changed too much. This has helped my arguments by making sure I find relevant research to support my points while keeping an eye out for contradicting viewpoints to address as well. As for the written arguments, I did find myself struggling a little to write in a concise enough manner with supporting points to not exceed the length requirements. I am looking forward to the peer feedback portion of this course, as I feel that is an element that has been missing from some of my previous courses.

In examining my writing further, I do not feel my expectations about scholarly writing have shifted, but that may be more due to where I am at in my coursework and receiving feedback along the way. As I mentioned earlier, I think the peer review will provide greater insight into areas where I can improve, and I hope that I am able to provide appropriate feedback to improve my peer’s writing as well.  I am also excited to dive more into the argument structures, as I do feel that I have room for improvement in this area. I am also excited to see the topics and arguments made by my peers in these areas and gain further insights into their thoughts and views.  Overall, I am looking forward to the rest of the semester, especially in reflecting on my journey so far and preparing for my transition into dissertation.