Online Learner Profiles: Joan M.
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Guide to Online Education > Online Education In-Depth > Meet Real Online Students > Joan M., Master of Education in Instructional Design
Meet Joan M.
Name: Joan Medlen
Age: 46
Marital Status: Married
Children: 2 boys; 21 and 18
Strength: Caring for a son who was born with Down syndrome, autism, and celiac disease.
School: UMass Online
Target: M.Ed. in Instructional Design, June 2009
What really lit the fire under her about making changes in her life was a health crisis close to home—her husband had a stroke.
Luckily, he has made a full recovery, but the scare got Joan wondering how she would support herself and her son if her husband could no longer work.
She considered a traditional brick-and-mortar school but knew it would be impossible to make that work.
"The issues surrounding supporting my son who has disabilities make it difficult for me to commit to a regular 40 hour work week," Joan explains.
"It is equally difficult to commit to regular class times. Sometimes this is due to his lack of sleep, and sometimes it's because of issues at school that need my attention."
Joan learned of the online master's degree in instructional design offered by the University of Massachusetts through a fellow dietitian who had completed the program and raved about it.
But why a degree in education when her background was in dietetics?
"When I thought about it," Joan explained, "what I do most is teach adults. Instructional design is focused on teaching adults—primarily in the workplace. This gives me the process, tools, and skills to plan and evaluate learning so that it is effective."
Joan admits to being a bit intimidated by the idea of taking standardized tests and applying to graduate school, but says the interim director at the University of Massachusetts was helpful and encouraging.
She was accepted and took the program's introductory course last spring.
The fact that the program is online is the reason why it works for Joan, but ironically one of the things that drew her to the program were the two face-to-face classes she would be required to take.
Joan fulfilled this requirement through two accelerated classes on Nantucket Island over this past summer. By sharing the intensive learning, the beautiful scenery, and the occasional bottle of wine, Joan and her fellow learners developed a special camaraderie.
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