CEP 810 Teaching for Understanding with Technology Instructors: Ron Houtman and Emily Stone
In the first course of my Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) program, I explored different theories of learning, developed my Professional Learning Network (PLN), learned about the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework, and explored creative digital tools that support both teaching an learning. During this course, I was challenged to learn something new using only YouTube and Help Forums for support. I decide to learn the basics of hand-lettering using paper, pencil and pen. During this memorable project, I was an active learner. I experienced frustration, learned to embrace mistakes, and reflected on the learning process and modified my thinking.
CEP 811 Adapting Innovative Technologies in Education Instructors: Melissa White and Janine Campbell
Adapting Innovative Technologies in Education was a course in learning by doing with a focus on the process vs. the product. During this course, I learned about the connection between constructivism and the Maker Movement. I explored remixing and repurposing objects and digital technologies in new, innovative ways. Learning experiences and spaces were designed to focus on creativity, collaborative problem-solving and authentic purpose. Through play and discovery, I became a maker as I repurposed Circuit Stickers to support the learning goals of my classroom context and applied the TPACK framework to develop a maker lesson plan. During this course, I also created an infographic to illustrate the elements necessary for successful maker education. My school was founded by John Dewey and his progressive education pedagogies are a part of my daily teaching life. I especially enjoyed putting his ideas into practice in these course projects.
CEP 812 Applying Educational Technology to Practice Instructors: Andrew Steinman and William Marsland
In this course I explored the nature of well-structured, ill-structured/complex and wicked problems. Through James Paul Gee's book The Anti-Education Era: Creating Smarter Students through Digital Learning, I learned about the limitations that prevent us from solving problems smartly as well as the amazing human capacity for collaboration and effective problem-solving if we connect our minds together in the right way and use the power of technology to help. Other projects allowed me to consider context and a community of practice that influences decisions about technology integration at my school. I also worked collaboratively with a "think tank" of fellow classmates to address the wicked problem in education of innovation as a learning ethic. We concluded that through innovative teaching practices, students learn to communicate, collaborate, problem-solve, and develop resilience in facing challenges and failure. Now, more than ever, innovation must become part of the learning ethic so our students will be better prepared for the future.
SUMMER 2016
CEP 800 Learning in School and Other Settings Instructors: Diana Campbell and Carmen Richardson
During this course, I read about different theories of learning, explored factors that influence or hinder learning, identified connections between learning transfer in and outside of the classroom, and explored how technology changes the way we access information, interact with others and learn. After reading excerpts from Charles Duhigg's The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, I examined how learning is also about acquiring and transforming habits and created a learning plan to break a bad habit. To synthesize my learning about learning, the final course project involved the creation of an authentic product that was grounded in my revised personal theory of learning. I wrote a grant proposal for KIBO programming robots for Nursery and Kindergarten students to support social, collaborative and active learning.
CEP 822 Approaches to Educational Research Instructors: Yining Zhang and Ming Lei
Approaches to Educational Research focused on to how to find quality educational research, identify possible ethical issues and evaluate research based on the appropriateness and adequacy of the study's design. sampling methods, materials and methods, and reliability of the measures used. Using Excel, I learned how to analyze data and gained a basic understanding of statistics. The final project, a research review, helped me identify an authentic question of interest and find quality research to inform my teaching practice. The topic I explored was the impact of electronic books on early or emergent reading skills in young children.
FALL 2016
CEP 815 Technology and Leadership Instructors: Dr. Aman Yadav and Missy Cosby
This course informed my understanding of what it means to be an effective technology leader and how to best synthesize complex or "thorny" issues related to teaching , learning and technology to make sound policy decisions. I explored different leadership styles, ways to communicate with stake holders and how to build relationships, During this course, I crafted a vision statement articulating the role of educational technology in the classroom and a professional development model to support teachers which I'd like to see realized in my school.
SPRING 2017
CEP 817 Learning Technology By Design Instructors: Carmen Richardson, Cui Cheng, and Diana Campbell
In Learning Technology By Design, I was an active participant in the Design Thinking process as I addressed a meaningful problem of practice. Each mode of the Design Thinking process (empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test) required me (the designer) to clarify my intentions, narrow the focus, reframe the problem based on user feedback, generate new ideas, modify, and iterate after prototyping and testing. This hands-on work gave me an appreciation of the process and its challenges. It also helped me to recognize the benefits of the Design Thinking process on student inquiry, problem-solving, and learning.
CEP 820 Teaching Students Online Instructors: Dr. Anne Heintz and Carmen Richardson
In this course I explored different Leaning Management Systems and considered the affordances and limitations of online learning. I created an online course to address an authentic audience and topic using Weebly, a website builder. My course focused on iPad creation apps and was designed for teachers who are learning to integrate technology in effective and meaningful ways. Using the ISTE Standards for Teachers and course readings to guide my work, I made important pedagogical and design decisions to engage my students and make materials and communication/feedback accessible and meaningful.
SUMMER 2017
CEP 807 Proseminar in Educational Technology Instructors: Dr. Matthew J. Koehler, Aric Gaunt, Sarah F. Keenan, and Brittany Dillman
This capstone course was the culminating experience of my MAET program. It provided an opportunity for me to document my learning and growth through the creation of a comprehensive digital portfolio. I showcased my best work, reflected on past and future goals, and highlighted my professional experience and teaching practice. Constructive peer feedback allowed me to modify and improve the design and content of the portfolio as I worked to created a professional online presence.
FALL 2017
CEP 818 Creativity in Teaching and Learning Instructors: Carmen Richardson and Candace Marcotte
This course explored many facets of creativity including exploring a definition of creativity, the creative process, the relationship between learning and creativity, and how creativity is developed using cognitive tools, I learned that creative thinking is a practice and it can be cultivated in my own teaching, with my students, and in my work with colleagues. The ability to be innovative and generate new, creative ideas is also strengthened when learners are adept in more than one discipline and can then make connections across disciplines. This course reinforced the importance of learning new things and learning them deeply in order to spark creative thinking.