MediaSnackology
Revisiting the Masters route.
(WORLD) A while ago I posted about if anyone knew any Masters courses in social media.
After some snooping round and with others help the following peaked my interest:
- MA in Social Media from Birmingham City University—had some initial discussions and then a little fun when they sent me a Word document to fill out as way of an application (I don’t have Word plus I think they’re still waiting on validation as well).
- MA in Digital Anthropology from University College London—this looked a good one but got no response to my email and/or voice message.
- MA/PgDip Social Media from University of Salford—actually looks an interesting course although focussed on ‘social entrepreneurs’.
A learned friend then challenged to me to leapfrog this route straight into a Phd which I toyed with for a while.
I’ve decided against all of the above, the reason: academia is good stuff, I’m simply more passionate about spending my time doing it rather than talking about it (for now).
Who knows, in the future maybe you could get a MediaSnackology degree from us…
June 16th, 2009
I agree.
If you’re already doing it, why would you want to study it?
Unless of course the ‘need’ is personal fulfilment, a greater depth of understanding the mechanics of ‘why’ something is the way it is, and of course having the time to really focus on becoming an expert in the subject matter.
Whilst ‘doing’ is so powerful, equally so is ‘knowing’. Personally I think they both have their benefits, and there’s plenty of millionaires out there with zero academia to their name.
Personally I don’t think the academia route appeals to me, however the documenting my knowledge formally, does. Hence my million blogs and constant harping on in conversations about knowledge sharing etc. In future though, I may change my mind.
Until then, like you, I think I’ll take the ‘doing’ path.
June 18th, 2009
yahhh I support your decision completely
phd would not be good timing right now
sincerely,
tricia
phd candidate
July 1st, 2009
Never forget, that life is all learning and the greatest learners in my opinion … do, reflect, do better and then talk about it … and some write about it … historically ‘writing about it’ was limited to the few … where as today we each can contribute in our own way, our own format and with our own tone … without institutional constraints …
So blog, talk and keep doing what you are doing DK – it’s all good!…
In fact, did you know some of the best minds of our time made huge contributions to knowledge and were distant from academe … Albert Einstein, a scholar who wrote hundreds of books/articles, his first writings in 1905 (today regarded as tremendous achievements) were shunned by the academic physics community of the time. In his early career, he wasn’t connected to the academic community but worked outside it at the Swiss Patent Office …
It was the work of astronomers and the media that gave his 1911 theories on general relativity international acclaim in 1919. Einstein developed these theories while working for the Swiss patent office (1903-1911)- not in academia! He was somewhat shunned by the physics community, esp. following the international media acclaim for his work in 1911.
So one’s contribution to knowledge and learning doesn’t have to be constrained to just a traditional formal learning environment … is once of the reasons why I love the social web – knowledge and learning can come from anywhere, from anyone and in any format – it just all depends on your mindset!
Keep smiling. Keep your mind open.
Kelly
July 1st, 2009
Appreciate your salient comment Kelly and encouragement, thanks.
July 6th, 2009
You could always do a masters in Carpentry!!
I think I will through the advice back you gave me when I was considering doing academia. You are already doing your do and in effect blazing a trail. Maybe it’s time for a MediaSnackers Academy …hmmmmm