Taking an Alternative Route

A project we have been working on this semester is to develop a digital learning resource. Presented with a complex topic, of which few (if any) of the class have prior knowledge, we need to research the subject and develop our solution. The goal here is, in my opinion, very worthwhile. Being able to implement a solution on a problem we are not experts in is an excellent reflection of what our future careers may involve should we choose to go down this route. Gaining experience interacting with subject matter experts (SMEs), learning how to research a topic and figuring out how to obtain more information from said experts are clearly essential skills for anyone involved in E-Learning or Technical Writing to possess and strengthen.

Unfortunately, this week I felt it was necessary to make the decision to take the alternate path which was offered to us by our lecturer. That route was the option of selecting an area of personal interest for development if we found the prescribed topic overly challenging. After battling with the assigned subject matter for over a week and being still very much at square one in terms of my understanding, I needed to admit that I simply didn't "get" it. Not only was I unable to comprehend the topic, but I was also failing even to gain enough basic knowledge to be able to ask the SME follow-up questions to increase my understanding.

So in the end, I have opted to develop a resource on a subject with which I'm far more comfortable. Or at least a topic I'm far more confident about being able to research to a satisfactory level. Taking one of the goals of the assignment into account, I deliberately chose a topic which lay a little outside my comfort zone. This compromise should still enable me to learn those valuable skills outlined earlier (although, regrettably, I will no longer have access to an SME to consult), while simultaneously being pragmatic about my capabilities and personal goals regarding the overall MA programme.

This post may read like an admission of outright failure or as an admonishment of the assignment itself. Nothing could be further from my intentions.

I'm a firm believer that as long as one learns from a set-back, it has been a useful experience. I have definitely learned significant lessons from this experience. I've learned that it's important to challenge myself and step outside of my preferred subjects when it comes to choosing projects. In industry, one will not always have the choice to focus on their preferred topics. I've also learned that it's vital not to take on more than I can handle and explore alternative routes when they exist. I believe I can still obtain valuable experience from this assignment by choosing a more manageable area for my focus. At the same time, opting to take this path will prevent this project from becoming overwhelming, which would inevitably be to the detriment of other work.

So while it never feels good to admit your limitations, I think this experience has been thoroughly rewarding. I can now proceed with the assignment with more confidence and will hopefully have a dramatically improved final product as a result.