 |
Eric Braun
Circuit Design Engineer
Analog Devices Corporation, Boston, MA
Interaction, Quality, Convenience: Braun's Eye View of
Distance Learning
When Eric Braun began taking graduate courses through the Stanford Center for Professional Development (SCPD) in 1995, he already had a Masters in Electrical Engineering from MIT and was an experienced circuit design engineer. "My undergraduate degree was also in electrical engineering,," he says. "You tend to become too narrow in your focus in my profession. I wanted to keep learning from a variety of fields. Through SCPD's Stanford Instructional Television Network (SITN) I've had the chance to fill in certain knowledge gaps with structured coursework. Taking courses in fabrication, advanced processing and modeling-fields related to mine-opens my thinking, even when the theories aren't directly applied to the job."
Braun has taken more than ten courses through SCPD. When asked whether he feels that being a distance learner has compromised his educational experience, he is emphatic. "Not at all. The curriculum, the coursework, the lectures are the same for all of us. And the courses I've taken in electrical engineering and computer sciences have been primarily lecture types of classes, so that not being able to interact live with the classroom hasn't been an issue. Of course the convenience of viewing lectures according to my schedule has been great."
Membership Advantages: Student Interaction, Stanford Continuity
Interaction with fellow students, however, is essential to Braun. "I always prefer taking courses with at least one other coworker. And if that's not possible I try to hook up with at least one other student in a similar position. I think the interaction makes the difference in learning, in keeping motivated. Even when I view a lecture, I prefer to do it with someone else, to talk about problems presented in the class, collaborate on projects. I'm sure there are plenty of people who enjoy learning on their own, but I really learn much more with other people."
The learning benefits extend to a member company, when employees take courses together, says Braun. "Taking courses keeps our brains sharp in fields where change is constant. As working students, we already have a practical data point of reference, so we can see and discuss the practical application of theories at our jobs. Naturally this helps us in our work, in what we bring to the table for problem-solving."
"When I started working for Analog about a year ago, I just assumed it was a member company because most companies in the area were. I began promoting SCPD right away: the certificate programs, the variety of classes, and the convenience. And there's the continuity of being able to have access to Stanford courses at any time. It's a win/win situation for employees and the company. There's just no substitute for what Stanford's offering."
|
|
|
|
