~The highest compliment that you can pay me is to say that I worked hard every day, that I never dog it.~
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
This page highlights my Master's coursework that I have completed with Michigan State University. Below you will find a brief snapshot of each class that includes the course name and a small description.
CEP 810~Spring 2010
Teaching For Understanding With Computers
Instructor:Carolyn McCarthy
This was my first required class that I took with Master's of Arts in Educational Technology Program at Michigan State. The main focus was the integration of tools and web-based resources in a school setting to improve both teaching and learning. This course consisted of effective use of technology in education and learning issues related to technology use. This course took place prior to the availability of Chromebooks and Google. We worked primarily with Microsoft and the Internet.
CEP 811~Spring 2010
Adapting Innovative Technology to Education
Instructor:Melissa White
During this course I built upon the work that was introduced in CEP 810. I began to dig deeper into the TPAK theory (Technology, Pedagogy, and Content Knowledge) and the history of the different styles of learning. I started to look at what makes technology an educational technology and ways to design lessons that are creative and rooted in purposeful design practices. In this course I learned how to apply specific instructional methods to educational problems. The main focus was on developing stand alone instructional resources with PowerPoint and internet to promote learning.
CEP 812~spring 2011
Applying Educational Technology to Problems of Practice
Instructor:Carolyn Mccarthy
This course focused on how to use technology to address a range of teaching and education related problems. I worked both individually and with groups to identify specific instructional problems within a school setting and use technology as a tool to address the problem. During this course I worked on creating a lesson plan that informed teachers about legal issues surrounding copyright and fair use guidelines for technology use in the classroom.
cep 820~fall 2014
teaching students online
Instructors: Dr. Anne Heintz, Elizabeth boltz, Dave Goodrich
This course focused on the creation of an online course to better meet the needs of students. The course I chose to create was considered a hybrid course which means my students would be using the on-line course and also meeting within the classroom. The design of my online unit focused on helping kindergarten parents work with their child to better develop their writing skills. Six writing lessons were created based on the Lucy Caulkins and Katy Wood Ray writing units. This course helped me realize that technology should not be something to add to my already full plate. Technology should and can be used to improve what I am already doing in my classroom.
cep 800~spring 2015
learning in school and other settings
Instructors: Dr. Danah Henriksen, Sarah Keenan, Diana Campbell
This course focused on the perspectives and theories on learning. We also looked at the many misconceptions that students have and how their misconceptions can influence their learning. By examining the relationship between the ideas about learning and the situation of a students world outside of school, it will help to find greater meaning and significance in both. In this course I learned that by changing how something is taught can also change how we learn. I started thinking about how students can and do learn from their peers.
Cep 815~summer 2015
Technology and leadership
Instructors: Benjamin Gleason, Sarah Keenan
This course focused on the principles and skills needed to be an effective leader in technology. I looked at technology from multiple perspectives, the benefits, drawbacks and the cost behind adopting new technologies. In this course I examined the ethical and social implications of technology integration. I looked at the many different styles of leadership and developed a better idea of what type of leadership skills I own and what leadership styles I see within my district.
This course helped me to recognize the complexity of adopting technology to a school district. Educators have looked at the benefits of emerging technologies and how it can improve instruction but limitations of infrastructure and finances can keep some from benefiting from the newer technologies.
This course helped me to recognize the complexity of adopting technology to a school district. Educators have looked at the benefits of emerging technologies and how it can improve instruction but limitations of infrastructure and finances can keep some from benefiting from the newer technologies.
Cep 822~Summer 2015
Approaches to Educational Research
Instructors:Daniel Freer, Emma Ha Nguyen
This course focused on educational research and how to look at and interpret educational data. My research focused on the use of digital storytelling with kindergarten students. I have never been comfortable interpreting data, but discovered how to develop strategies to better analyze and critique "quality" research articles.
During this course I learned that data collection is a very important step in conducting educational research and can have a significant impact the results. Most of the data collection performed depended upon the methods developed for the study. This data that is collected can be used for a wide range of purposes and are often used to describe the status of students, schools, districts and states.
During this course I learned that data collection is a very important step in conducting educational research and can have a significant impact the results. Most of the data collection performed depended upon the methods developed for the study. This data that is collected can be used for a wide range of purposes and are often used to describe the status of students, schools, districts and states.
cep 816~Fall 2015
Teaching and Learning Across the Curriculum
Instructor: Dr. Paul Morsink
In this course we looked at how technology can improve teaching and learning across all areas of the curriculum. It was during this course that I pushed myself to experiment more with different types of technology I had never used and how to improve upon the technology that I was already familiar with. I enjoyed learning ways to adapt technology to new teaching practices. It showed me how to incorporate the skills that my students experience on a daily basis into a classroom in a fun and engaging way.
DDCep 807~Spring 2016
Capstone portfolio course
instructors: DR. Matthew koehler, sarah keenan, spencer greenhalgh
In this course I am working on breaking down all that I have learned in the masters program. The requirement for the Capstone course is to make a web-based portfolio to showcase all the I have learned throughout the program. I enjoyed reflecting on my education and coursework while creating this website for my final product for this course.