Background
CMALT accreditation lasts three years, and following this timeframe, you are asked to renew it via an updated ePortfolio. I had become aware that ALT had since developed a Senior CMALT accreditation stream (SCMALT), and remembering one of my previous assessors recommending I go for Senior, I decided to give that a go. While the update to attempt to renew your CMALT requires a certain amount of effort and time, there are extra sections required for SCMALT consideration (you can find the various requirements on ALT's application guidelines - I read this document several times!). Reflecting on my experience of both submissions, probably the most difficult thing about working towards something like this, was actually just getting started. I found that once I had identified my areas of focus for each section and designed a way to describe/evidence/reflect them in the ePortfolio, things became much easier. How I updated my previous CMALT ePortfolio for the SCMALT application
Finally, I also revised my Future Priorities section, one that provides some light on the path ahead. It's a section worthy of inclusion as you get to consider future directions and areas you want to focus on. Of course, paths can change along the way but I know the three areas I listed in my 2018 submission were always close to my ongoing work in recent years.
Some Key Learnings
In the summer of 2018, I enrolled in a graphic design course at the 'Dublin Institute of Design'. Having always been interested in art, design, technology etc., and considering some of the work I had been doing while designing and developing my teaching materials, I felt it was a course I could learn a lot from. Great to be a student again too, seeing assessment briefs, using VLEs, engaging in peer learning and receiving feedback to enhance my work. My first day arrived....I commenced with my backpack full of the required materials, eager to get going. I met my new classmates, some of whom had degrees in fine art (very different from my molecular biology background!). I was immediately struck by just how much a scientist stood out in a room of talented creatives, designers and artists 😀 Having worked with a truly excellent graphic design team on a certain project in recent months, it brought back memories of my course and I reflected on considering ten things I learned from being a graphic design student back then.....
From my experience, it was incredible to work on ideas, iterations of ideas, new ideas, etc. and then you began to see an idea shine through. It's a real eureka moment. We learned in some cases, it can occur in minutes (like the 5-minute, napkin drawn, $1.5m design of the Citibank logo by the incredible Paula Scher) but this is extremely rare, and normally takes a considerable length of time. So even though tools such as 'Canva' can provide incredible tools for quick design tips for people to get by, a graphic designer and their incredible talent is creative, unique and should be treasured. From completing my graphic design course, I will never undervalue the contribution and skill of a graphic designer. |
Ronan BreeEducation Developer,Science Lecturer, Archives
March 2023
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Any opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer.
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