Personal Statement for University of Alberta

**[Introduction]** A typical day in a public school in my country involves spending seven to eight hours with students in the classroom. Due to large class sizes of pupils, their diverse learning styles, absorbency capture and their environment, the time spent educating them is sometimes insufficie...

**[Introduction]** A typical day in a public school in my country involves spending seven to eight hours with students in the classroom. Due to large class sizes of pupils, their diverse learning styles, absorbency capture and their environment, the time spent educating them is sometimes insufficient. As a result, determining how much learners have learned is done through test results, which can be misinterpreted in a variety of ways. It is therefore essential that instructors have a thorough understanding of the concepts of Assessment, Evaluation, and Measurement as part of their knowledge. Whiles, I desired to enhance how instructors educate and students learn, not too long ago COVID-19 hit and most educational institutions jumped into using Computerized-based assessment, I opted to contribute to efficient adjustments and improvements to our educational systems by designing and implementing far more effective assessment procedures and its implementation. **[Educational background]** As a result of these insights, I decided to further my education by obtaining a Master\'s degree in Education with an emphasis on Measurement and Evaluation (coursework) at the University of Cape Coast, which has proven invaluable to me. This curriculum gave me a thorough grasp of the ideas and concepts of Program evaluation, Educational assessment, Psychology, Advance statistics, and Educational measurement, this has prepared me to undertake a program of advanced study, as well as novel approaches to putting these theories into practice to promote scientific measurement in the field of education. I have had the opportunity to also undertake Research Methods (Quantitative and Qualitative) at various levels of my academic journey. Even though I have not published any articles yet I look forward to it. I have conducted two research works, one during my diploma studies and the other at the undergraduate level on the topic 'The effect of illegal mining on the academic performance of students'. I also had the opportunity to review several research works during my graduate studies. **[Professional background]** Over a decade of teaching in Ghana has honed my instructional and mentorship skills. As a tutor, I have successfully taught Mathematics, Social Studies, and Information and Communication Technology, fostering critical thinking and analytical skills among students. I have also impacted my colleague teachers as the curriculum leader through our Professional Learning Communities (PLC), facilitating topics in educational assessment and measurement. My role as a research assistant for the Child Rights Organization allowed me to contribute to impactful research, further cementing my interest in data-driven decision-making within education. Additionally, my supervisory role at the National Identification Authority sharpened my leadership and organizational skills, enabling me to manage teams and ensure data accuracy in high-pressure settings. **[Research Interests]** My academic and professional journey has cultivated a strong interest in educational measurement, statistical analysis, and program evaluation. At the University of Alberta, I intend to explore the profiles of the faculty members and their research work and that of Mark J. Gierl Ph.D. caught my attention since it suits my interest. The use of Automatic Item Generation in educational assessment is one particular research area, I am very interested in researching. I intend to research \"Teacher Perceptions and Acceptance of Automatic Item Generation -Based Assessments in Classrooms.\" The goal of the study is to determine how teachers, particularly view and accept assessments that use automatic item generation and what factors affect their willingness to use this new technology in the Ghanaian Education context since it is an emerging area. Automatic item generation has a lot of potential to increase the effectiveness and quality of assessments, especially in areas with limited resources like Ghana. However, teachers\' acceptance is crucial for the success of such technological innovations in education. It would be of interest to also develop a Likert Scale-Based Automatic Item Generation Perception instrument to measure teachers' perception of Automatic Item Generation-based assessment.  Moreover \"Gender and Cultural Bias in Automatic Item Generation: Analysing Sources and Remedies\" is another research area; I would want to examine in Ghana. Biases in educational assessment have been shown in prior research to compromise assessment validity, impact student performance, and perpetuate stereotypes because the field of automated item generation is still in its infancy in Ghanaian education. I want to know what steps might be taken to lessen these prejudices and how Automatic Item Generation systems might reinforce them. **[Why the University of Alberta?]** The Measurement, Evaluation and Data Science program at the University of Alberta is known for its cutting-edge approach to educational measurement and data science with a diverse academic community, and commitment to fostering innovation. This program aligns seamlessly with my career aspirations, offering courses and resources that resonate with my academic goals. The opportunity to collaborate with distinguished faculty and peers from diverse backgrounds will enrich my perspective and enhance my research capabilities. Though I gained the necessary experience from my studies at the University of Cape Coast, the program was not thesis-based. This will not allow me to reach my objective of becoming a lecturer and a psychometrics expert by enrolling in your esteemed university\'s PhD program as advised by Mark J. Gierl Ph.D. Additionally, I\'ve grown a keen interest in data science, which only your esteemed University and program will help me attain simultaneously. I will be thrilled to be given the chance to pursue a thesis-based master\'s degree this time to support my doctoral studies application at your university and receive knowledge from renowned professors whose work in this area has influenced people all over the world. I am particularly drawn to the program's emphasis on the practical application of measurement techniques, which would enable me to refine my skills and apply them to conduct rigorous and impactful research. **[Career Goals]** As I look forward to being admitted, upon completion of my graduate studies, I aim to become a data scientist, program development and evaluation specialist, and psychometrician in both academic institutions and worldwide organisations. My ultimate goal is to advocate for regulations and policies that increase educational impact, accessibility, and inclusivity, especially in developing nations like Ghana. **[Conclusion]** Finally, I would like to say that I am excited to contribute my energy, expertise, and commitment to the University of Alberta. I am confident that the knowledge and abilities I gain will not only change my professional path but also allow me to make a significant contribution to the global education community. In pursuit of academic greatness, I am excited about the chance to work with the university\'s distinguished faculty members and colleagues.