Below are the courses and descriptions of what I completed for my Masters of Arts in Educational Technology program at Michigan State University. Make sure to check out my showcase and resources for examples of some of the work I mention.
Fall 2011
CEP 801A: Collaboration and Consultation in Special Education
Instructor: Dr. Harold Johnson This course had a specific focus of studying the role of an itinerant teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing. I was able to explore best practices in supporting students, collaboration, and studying frequently encountered problems in the field. I got the opportunity to collaborate with professionals currently in positions as itinerant teachers for the deaf across the country, through video chatting and email. Professional and ethical responsibilities were also explored, especially in the context of advocacy for students. In learning about our responsibility to advocate for students, we also study topics around teaching students to advocate for themselves in their school or community settings. |
CEP 803C: Oral Instruction in Deaf Education II
Instructor: Dr. Harold Johnson The integrated use and development of spoken English through literacy and content area instruction can be a difficult task for teachers. However, this class sought to prepare me to be able to do just that. I learned how to address a language need through curriculum of literacy instruction. Not only did I learn how to do language samples, but also how to analyze it and then identify an area of need. Based off this language sample, I then create a targeted literacy lesson plan to address that need. |
Summer 2014
CEP 800: Psychology of Learning in School and Other Settings
Instructors: William Cain and Joshua Rosenberg Overall, this course focused on what and how students learn and know. Knowing this, will then allow for developing effective technology based instruction. I learned that learning is active, socially constructed from knowledge in multiple settings and contexts. This means as teachers we need to consider what is learned, how it is learned, and what learners bring to the setting. We also examined and integrated how technology relates to the learning process, and how it may affect what students learn and how teachers teach. CEP 810: Teaching for Understanding with Technology
Instructor: Emily Stone This was one of my first MAET specific courses and it focused on the application and integration of technology in educational settings. This integration of technology was viewed through the lenses of improving teaching and learning, not just for the sake of using technology. I meet the requirements of this course through learning, exploring, creating, and sharing my work. Most importantly, this course introduced me to the foundational and essential topics of theories of learning and understanding, mindsets for teaching with technology, professional learning networks, the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework, and how to think creatively about uses of technologies for learning. |
CEP 811: Adapting Innovative Technologies to Education
Instructors: Melissa White and Mary Weaver My task in this course was to repurpose the world around me to create novel and effective learning experiences. Using technology, I created lessons which were interactive, multi sensory, and innovative, while also addressing instructional principles and methods. Continued learning of the TPACK framework, theories of learning, and professional networks was a key component of success in this class. I was also introduced to the maker culture, and dove into the world of "making", by exploring new ways of designing learning experiences that were founded on purposeful design and of course creativity. CEP 812: Applying Educational Technology to Issues of Practice
Instructor: Bill Marsland In order to deeper understand the culture of technology integration, this course helped me to explore ways to use technologies to support special learning needs.I collaborated with a think tank of peers to explore educational issues surrounding online learning. This wicked, high-priority, educational problem and others caused me to reflect on and evaluate a range of technology based solutions for the k-12 setting. Lastly, I got the opportunity to evaluate my current "information diet" and discover where, when, and how I receive my information, and identify potential areas of improvement/need. |
Fall 2014 |
Spring 2015 |
CEP 822: Approaches to Educational Research
Instructors: Dr. Leigh Graves Wolf and Benjamin Gleason This course served to teach me and support me through the process of learning about research, how it might guide my teaching practices, and improve professional growth. I became a consumer of existing research, basic strategy, and practice. Then I identified, proposed, and developed my own research project exploring the use of iPads to promote content vocabulary development. This course sharpened my skills of reflection and inquiry while also teaching me about the relationship between research and educational practices. |
CEP 815: Technology and Leadership
Instructors: Dr. Aman Yadav and Benjamin Gleason The overall purpose of this course was to develop as a technology leader. We examined education, the history and evolution of technology, the principles of leadership, and how these elements come together. This required me to look at technology from the view point of different audiences and assess the benefits and challenges from each perspective. Professional development strategies, planning, evaluation, and relationship building were a key focus for myself as I often implement teacher inservice. I also learned about areas of growth available to me from completing a self assessment in the areas of leadership, technology, teaching, and learning. |
Summer 2015
CEP 820: Teaching Students Online
Instructors: Dr. Anne Heintz and Trixi Beeker Teaching students online is an avenue that I would like to explore in the future and so this course (which is still in progress at the time of writing) has taught me strategies of constructing and implementing online curriculum. It has helped me design and online learning environment for my students, to address specific individual needs. Not only did this course teach me about quality instruction, and effective tools, but also about design elements, ease of use, student collaboration and effective communication. It meet my specific needs and lead me to think more deeply about how students of all ages can learn online. |
CEP 807: Capstone in Educational Technology
Instructors: Dr. Matthew Koehler, Sarah Keenan, Spencer Greenhalgh, and Chris Seals This course marks the completion of my masters journey and serves as an assessment of my work. I created this portfolio in order to be a final exhibition of my work and to satisfy MSU's comprehensive exam requirement. This portfolio has helped me develop my work into a meaningful collection that I can now share with friends, family, and employers. |