Annotated Transcript
Fall 2010
EDU 591|Nature and Needs of the Gifted
Instructor: Virginia Pratt
EDU 591 was the first of two graduate level course I completed to earn an endorsement on my South Carolina teacher certificate for teaching gifted learners. This course focused on the nature and needs of gifted learners. I worked in a cooperative group to research a particular population of gifted learners to present to the course. Throughout the course, reading selections were provided to prompt peer discussions and insights on behaviors and traits that could be observed of gifted learners. The material covered is applicable to students I currently teach as it is comprised of a diverse population of learners.
Spring 2011
EDU 592|Curriculum & Instruction for Gifted & Talented Learners
Instructor: Virginia Pratt
The continuation of the work for the gifted learner was through EDU 592 with a focus on the curriculum and assessment. I worked collaboratively in groups to critique selected reading and determine what teaching strategies are most appropriate for the population of students I taught. Using the content I was currently teaching I developed a thematic unit with and a specific lesson plan using strategies introduced throughout the course. Varying my assessment types and providing options in the form of menus was another strategy I that found to be successful with this population of learners.
CEP 816|Technology Teaching & Learning Across the Curriculum
Summer 2014
Instructor: Dr. Rand Spiro
With so many technology tools at our fingertips finding the right tool the use in the classroom can be overwhelming. This course introduced a variety of digital tools and resources that are wonderful for education. I was given the chance to implement some into my classroom and reflect on successes and difficulties that occurred. With an emphasis on really understanding how tools can best meet the needs of students I was able to explore and plan how I could use Google Aps for Education in the next acadmic year. Ultimately in this course I was able to find technology that could be used to enhance the learning experiences of students was our focus.
Fall 2014
ED 800|Concepts in Educational Inquiry
Instructor: Dr. Steven Weiland
Using a variety of course readings, videos, and other media ED 800 was a course that developed my understanding of inquiry and the relationship to education. With a variety of learning opportunities that I could explore I was given the chance to demonstrate my knowledge of inquiry based on my interests and perspectives. This course encouraged me to be reflective within my own classroom and use alternative methods for data collection and research with my students. Vivian Paley's book, The Girl with the Brown Crayon, was a motivational piece I often reflect on in support of thinking and teaching outside of the box as a way to inspire and engage all learners.
Fall 2014
TE 831|Teaching School Subject Matter With Technology
Instructor: Dr. Doug Hartman
When integrating technology into the classroom being aware of what goal or purpose that technology has is important. TE831 was a course to support how we use technology effectively in the classroom to support diverse learners. With such a wide variety of digital tools available finding appropriate tools to meet a student’s learning needs while still focusing on the content was the focus of this course.
SPRING 2015
CEP 805| Learning Math with Technology
Instructor: Dr. Ralph Putnam
In this course I spent a lot of time evaluating tech tools and resources. I participated in discussions that developed criteria that we used as a class in order to evaluate tech tools consistently. While evaluating tools and resources I began to develop a library of useful tools for my classroom. These tools are primarily for 4th-6th grade students with a focus on concepts of fractions. They are now organized into a digital resource library to be shared with colleagues. Some of the resources include an evaluation. I will continue to revise and revisit the libary as I continue to find resources that are helpful to my students. Looking forward I would like to devleop similar resource libraries for each strand of the Common Core State Standards for education as a useful tool to share with teachers, colleage and parents.
Summer 2015
TE 842|Elementary Reading Assessment and Instruction
Instructor: Dr. Tanya Wright
Reading instruction and assessment is an element of education that is not embedded in my everyday instruction. Even though my content areas of instruction are math and science literacy is an important component of these contents areas as well. This course provided me further instruction in the diagnostic process and prescribing appropriate reading instruction for a variety of literary abilities. Through the use of case studies and sample work I was able to set goals for instructions and determine appropriate reading strategies. While participating in a book club during the end of the course I was able to implement teaching strategies that were outline in the book Comprehension and Collaboration: Inquiry Circles in Action.
CEP 815 gave me an opportunity to develop leadership skills in education and technology. Exploring and implementing leadership styles provided insight on how leaders can be either effective or ineffective. Using different programs and platforms I created snippets of information on leadership obtained through course readings and other media. As a culminating activity I was able to develop a vision for educational technology that coincides with practices I currently use.
FALL 2015
CEP 815|Technology and Leadership
Instructor: Dr. Aman Yadav
FALL 2015
TE 861|Inquiry, Nature of Science
Instructor: Dr. Amelia Gotwals
In this course we focused on understanding the new science standards such as the Next Generation Science Education Standards. Using course readings and observing a series of videos from a model classroom I was able to identify and put to practice various talk moves and teaching strategies that support students understanding of the nature of science. I conducted science interviews with students and analyzed the results in order to develop appropriate activities that developed their understanding of science as a process.
SPRING 2016
ED 870|Capstone Seminar
Instructor: Dr. Matthew Koehler
For the final course of my Masters of Arts in Education (MAED) I am working to develop professional digital portfolio. Synthesizing my educational experience through course work and related learning opportunities has given me the opportunity to create an evolving online presence that is developed for students, parents, colleagues and administrators. This usable website highlights key elements of my teaching philosophy and provides a glimpse into who am I am as a student, teacher and person.