My Coursework
Master of Arts in Education: Literacy Concentration
Welcome to my Coursework Page! Here you will find an overview of my journey through MSU's online MAED program. Below you will find a brief description of each class I completed to fulfill the total 30 credit hours needed to earn this degree. Along with each description, I have included either an assignment that stood out to me or one that offered the best description of my reflection of the course's learnings.
ED800: CONCEPTS OF EDUCATIONAL INQUIRY
Mary Catherine Bateson*
Instructor - Steven Weiland
Semester - Fall 2008
If I started my MAED experience in a pedagogical box, this class pushed me to think outside of it. By listening to the voices of both history and experience – E.D. Hirsch, Jr., Howard Gardner and Vivian Paley to name a few – I was forced to ask questions about the multiple ways that students learn and concluded that continual inquiry is the key to facilitate genuine learning among my students and to keep my passion as an educator ignited. The following work sample takes a deeper look at Mary Catherine Bateson's book, Peripheral Visions, and addresses how life's challenges and unfamiliarities can work to deepen our understanding of the world around us and afford us a genuine learning experience if we take the time for inquiry.
Work Sample - "Uncomfortable" Learning
Semester - Fall 2008
If I started my MAED experience in a pedagogical box, this class pushed me to think outside of it. By listening to the voices of both history and experience – E.D. Hirsch, Jr., Howard Gardner and Vivian Paley to name a few – I was forced to ask questions about the multiple ways that students learn and concluded that continual inquiry is the key to facilitate genuine learning among my students and to keep my passion as an educator ignited. The following work sample takes a deeper look at Mary Catherine Bateson's book, Peripheral Visions, and addresses how life's challenges and unfamiliarities can work to deepen our understanding of the world around us and afford us a genuine learning experience if we take the time for inquiry.
Work Sample - "Uncomfortable" Learning
te836: Awards and classics of children's literature
Caldecott Medal*
Instructor - Laura Apol
Semester - Spring 2009
An early experiment in this class concluded that as readers we generally are drawn to books that fit our interests and personalities. After spending a significant amount of time in this class looking at children's literature and discussing what makes a book "good" or award worthy, and how they win the title "classic", I discovered that the more exposure I had to these award winners and classics, the more I appreciated books that were outside of my personal interests and comfort zones - for it is through the rich diversity of these books that I learned the most about the world in which I live. In my final paper, I touch on the critical debate about whether presenting awards and labeling books as "classics" are helpful or hurtful in enticing young readers to become lovers of literature.
Work Sample - Labels of Literature
Semester - Spring 2009
An early experiment in this class concluded that as readers we generally are drawn to books that fit our interests and personalities. After spending a significant amount of time in this class looking at children's literature and discussing what makes a book "good" or award worthy, and how they win the title "classic", I discovered that the more exposure I had to these award winners and classics, the more I appreciated books that were outside of my personal interests and comfort zones - for it is through the rich diversity of these books that I learned the most about the world in which I live. In my final paper, I touch on the critical debate about whether presenting awards and labeling books as "classics" are helpful or hurtful in enticing young readers to become lovers of literature.
Work Sample - Labels of Literature
te891: Children's Literature and film
The Wizard of Oz*
Instructor - Laura Apol
Semester - Summer 2009
In this class we addressed a films "fidelity" to the literature in its original form. We looked at how the process of translating books into film is greatly influenced by personal interpretation as well as cultural and societal ideologies and how differences between the original version and film(s) are more prevalent when a significant amount of time has lapsed between the two - as seen in the film translation of The Wizard of Oz. In my final paper I look at how a literary film can be a useful incentive to get students interested in literature, but not without equipping them with critical thinking skills which will make them aware of the media's influence - through such things as CGI (computer generated imagery) and other media effects - on their interpretations of that literature.
Work Sample - Fidelity or Flaws?
Semester - Summer 2009
In this class we addressed a films "fidelity" to the literature in its original form. We looked at how the process of translating books into film is greatly influenced by personal interpretation as well as cultural and societal ideologies and how differences between the original version and film(s) are more prevalent when a significant amount of time has lapsed between the two - as seen in the film translation of The Wizard of Oz. In my final paper I look at how a literary film can be a useful incentive to get students interested in literature, but not without equipping them with critical thinking skills which will make them aware of the media's influence - through such things as CGI (computer generated imagery) and other media effects - on their interpretations of that literature.
Work Sample - Fidelity or Flaws?
te831: teaching subject matter with technology
Voicethread Reflection
Instructor - Eric Byker
Semester - Spring 2010
This class can be summed up in one term - TPACK. In just a few short months I learned how vital and easy it is to add Technology to my Pedagogy and Content Knowledge. I was exposed to an array of available technologies that I had never considered for educational purposes and saw how quickly lesson plans can be enhanced when the right technology is properly used. By experimenting with different technologies I learned that I was able to cover more content in less time and that the right technology has the potential to strengthen any lesson plan and connect students in a way that makes learning engaging and fun. This voicethread served as a final reflection of what we learned in this class.
Work Sample - Voicethread Reflection
Semester - Spring 2010
This class can be summed up in one term - TPACK. In just a few short months I learned how vital and easy it is to add Technology to my Pedagogy and Content Knowledge. I was exposed to an array of available technologies that I had never considered for educational purposes and saw how quickly lesson plans can be enhanced when the right technology is properly used. By experimenting with different technologies I learned that I was able to cover more content in less time and that the right technology has the potential to strengthen any lesson plan and connect students in a way that makes learning engaging and fun. This voicethread served as a final reflection of what we learned in this class.
Work Sample - Voicethread Reflection
CEP818: Creativity in teaching and learning
Course Blog
Instructor - Punya Mishra
Semester - Fall 2010
Do you remember when you were four and you used to play and be creative? This class was a reminder of how important creativity is to the learning process. Many times, it is during creative play that the learner makes emotional connections, and new discoveries. This class reminds us that education is not just about teaching students to think; it is also about teaching them to feel. We must find ways to engage all of their senses - as Liz Lerman did by infusing physics with dance - in order to afford them a truly meaningful, genuine learning experience. Below is a look at my blog from this course where I was able to "play" with creative ways to teach figurative language.
Work Sample - Course Blog
Semester - Fall 2010
Do you remember when you were four and you used to play and be creative? This class was a reminder of how important creativity is to the learning process. Many times, it is during creative play that the learner makes emotional connections, and new discoveries. This class reminds us that education is not just about teaching students to think; it is also about teaching them to feel. We must find ways to engage all of their senses - as Liz Lerman did by infusing physics with dance - in order to afford them a truly meaningful, genuine learning experience. Below is a look at my blog from this course where I was able to "play" with creative ways to teach figurative language.
Work Sample - Course Blog
te848: methods of writing instruction
Writing Instruction*
Instructor - Janine Certo
Semester - Spring 2011
Getting students excited about writing is a concern for Language Arts teachers everywhere. Two exemplary texts, Narrative Writing: Learning a New Model for Teaching and Writing on Demand, were used as required reading that addressed this issue and provided excellent models for classroom use and work to keep teachers on the cutting edge of writing instruction. One of the key proponents of TE848 was to ignite a passion in teachers as writers that will be reflective in their students; this passion was ignited by challenging us to do some writing of our own. The following is a research paper that looks at the benefits of using digital storytelling in the academic setting. Writing this paper really helped me to see how important it is for teachers to have effective writing instruction so that the focus for students will be more about quality rather than quantity.
Work Sample - Stepping It Up with Digital Storytelling
Semester - Spring 2011
Getting students excited about writing is a concern for Language Arts teachers everywhere. Two exemplary texts, Narrative Writing: Learning a New Model for Teaching and Writing on Demand, were used as required reading that addressed this issue and provided excellent models for classroom use and work to keep teachers on the cutting edge of writing instruction. One of the key proponents of TE848 was to ignite a passion in teachers as writers that will be reflective in their students; this passion was ignited by challenging us to do some writing of our own. The following is a research paper that looks at the benefits of using digital storytelling in the academic setting. Writing this paper really helped me to see how important it is for teachers to have effective writing instruction so that the focus for students will be more about quality rather than quantity.
Work Sample - Stepping It Up with Digital Storytelling
cep820: teaching k-12 students online
CMS Developer Notebook*
Instructor - Michelle Schira Hagerman
Semester - Fall 2011
If I had to choose a class that was the farthest from my comfort zone, I would choose CEP820. However, if I had to choose a class that inspired me the most, stretched me the most and taught me the most about educational technology, I would also choose this class. Using a CMS to create an online class put me on the front lines facing my technology giant, which by the end of this class turned out to be a friend rather than a foe. Below is a link to my journaling as I worked on developing this course.
Work Sample - CMS Developer Notebook
Semester - Fall 2011
If I had to choose a class that was the farthest from my comfort zone, I would choose CEP820. However, if I had to choose a class that inspired me the most, stretched me the most and taught me the most about educational technology, I would also choose this class. Using a CMS to create an online class put me on the front lines facing my technology giant, which by the end of this class turned out to be a friend rather than a foe. Below is a link to my journaling as I worked on developing this course.
Work Sample - CMS Developer Notebook
cep813: Electronic portfolios for teaching and learning
Teaching Portfolio
Instructor - Patrick Dickson
Semester - Spring 2012
My first experience with creating an online presence was in the making of this teaching portfolio. I learned a great deal about preserving and showcasing my own work and about providing opportunities for my students to do the same. This is a fantastic way for students to share their work with an authentic audience and for them to feel that their voice and their work is valued beyond the all-to-common "Good Job!" at the top of their paper. I also believe that displaying students' work in an e-portfolio is a great way to provide them incentive to produce quality work.
Work Sample - Teaching Portfolio
Semester - Spring 2012
My first experience with creating an online presence was in the making of this teaching portfolio. I learned a great deal about preserving and showcasing my own work and about providing opportunities for my students to do the same. This is a fantastic way for students to share their work with an authentic audience and for them to feel that their voice and their work is valued beyond the all-to-common "Good Job!" at the top of their paper. I also believe that displaying students' work in an e-portfolio is a great way to provide them incentive to produce quality work.
Work Sample - Teaching Portfolio
te849: methods and materials for teaching children's and adolescent literature
Joseph Bruchac*
Instructor - Bevin Roue
Semester - Fall 2012
Once again, I was exposed to a rich variety of literature for young readers. This class taught me to be aware of stereotypes that lurk within the literature we teach to our students and to be thoughtful and critical when it comes to using these books for education. I also rediscovered the multiple benefits of literature as we use it in our classrooms to help students gain perspective, use their imagination, solve problems, develop reading skills, learn new information, understand history, promote cultural literacy, experience the beauty and power of language, and see that language can be playful and fun! I discovered new genres - such as verse novels and graphic novels - and how they can be useful in education. In my work sample, I tie together each module from this course creating this literature position paper.
Work Sample - Literature Position Paper
Semester - Fall 2012
Once again, I was exposed to a rich variety of literature for young readers. This class taught me to be aware of stereotypes that lurk within the literature we teach to our students and to be thoughtful and critical when it comes to using these books for education. I also rediscovered the multiple benefits of literature as we use it in our classrooms to help students gain perspective, use their imagination, solve problems, develop reading skills, learn new information, understand history, promote cultural literacy, experience the beauty and power of language, and see that language can be playful and fun! I discovered new genres - such as verse novels and graphic novels - and how they can be useful in education. In my work sample, I tie together each module from this course creating this literature position paper.
Work Sample - Literature Position Paper
ED870: Capstone
MAED Portfolio
Instructors - Matthew Koehler
Semester - Spring 2013
For me, the purpose of this class is trifold. First, it has provided the platform for me to display my collection of work completed during my MAED experience and has reinforced my thoughts on how displaying one's work is incentive to produce quality work. Second, it has pushed me to reflect on this experience and see how it has shaped me as an educator and as a learner. Third, it has given me more confidence in using technology.
Work Sample - MAED Portfolio
Semester - Spring 2013
For me, the purpose of this class is trifold. First, it has provided the platform for me to display my collection of work completed during my MAED experience and has reinforced my thoughts on how displaying one's work is incentive to produce quality work. Second, it has pushed me to reflect on this experience and see how it has shaped me as an educator and as a learner. Third, it has given me more confidence in using technology.
Work Sample - MAED Portfolio
*Photo courtesy of Google Images