This page highlights the courses that I completed in the Michigan State University's (MSU) Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) program. The following courses are in chronological order, and organized by semester. For each course, I also provided: course title, course instructor(s), and a brief description of my experience.
TE = Teacher Education /// CEP = Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education
Fall 2016 Course Name: TE802 - Reflection and Inquiry in Teaching Practice I Instructor: Amy Croel-Perrien
Description: During my internship year through Michigan State University, this course supported my understanding of teaching literacy. In this course we specifically focused on creating and designing reading and writing units that aligned with our district's curriculum. We heavily focused on formative and summative assessing, and utilizing data to drive our instruction. This course guided my thinking in pedagogical practices within literacy learning, as well as establishing my own ideas to fit the needs of my students. After this course, I had a greater understanding of the workshop model, conferencing with students, and overall management of a literacy block.
Spring 2017 Course Name: TE 803 - Professional Roles and Teaching Practice II Instructor: Linda Doornbos
Description: During my internship year through Michigan State University, this course elevated my understanding of social studies instruction. We crafted a series of lessons that tied together a social studies unit aligning with our district's curriculum. This course specifically had us focus designing a learning experience based on reliable research and resources. I improved my craft in social studies instruction by incorporating meaning and culturally relevant content to engage my students. After this course, I was able to feel more confident in creating powerful social studies instruction that integrated project-based learning strategies.
Spring 2017 Course Name: TE 804 - Reflection and Inquiry in Teaching Practice II Instructor: Christa Haverly
Description: During my internship year through Michigan State University, this course extended my knowledge of science instruction. We focused on 21st century science instruction standards and strategies. We were introduced to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) that promoted exploring connections across domains of science, to lead to in-depth understanding of concepts. In this course we designed consecutive lessons that aligned both our district curriculum and NGSS concepts. After this course, I was able to develop and identify resources that showcased meaningful science skills and goals.
Fall 2019 Course Name:CEP 810 - Teaching and Understanding with Technology Instructor: Deborah McHorney
Description: I learned about the research behind implementing and justifying technology integration. We started with getting a general understanding of how people learn, understand, and change their thinking through education. We were able to take our research and apply it to hands-on projects where we created multimodal pieces that were either in the form of videos, discussions, and experiences. We dug deep into technology integration (TPACK) that studies the implementation of pedagogy, content, and technology equally. After having our own experiences involved with technology integration we created content-specific blogs.
Fall 2019 Course Name: CEP 811 - Adapting Innovative Technologies to Education Instructor: Colin Gallagher
Description: This course was focused on the use and understanding of innovative technology. We also read educational texts and readings on media and the importance of consumption through our personal and professional life. We also discussed the use of media in the classroom. Understanding how we can educate students on reliable and safe ways to utilize and cite media. Lastly, we were able to try and practice an innovative technology that was new to us. We created a learning experience that used this technology as well as integrated a content area.
Summer 2020 Course Name:TE846 - Accommodating Difference in Literacy Learners Instructor: Christina Ponzio
Description: I learned and explored a variety of literacy skills and strategies. The uniqueness of this course is that we focused on culturally responsive literacy in regards to bilingual and multilingual students. I created lessons, assessments, and accommodations for students among different communities. I also conducted an in-person learning experience for a student I tutored to transfer and practice my knowledge. Lastly, one of the most influential parts of this course was reading. “Cultivating Genius: An equity framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy” by Dr. Gholdy Muhammad.
Spring 2021 Course Name: CEP 800 - Psychology of Learning in School and Other SettingsInstructor: Dr. Stephanie Jennings and Kyle Shack
Description: This course focused on the progression of learning theories over the last centuries. I researched a variety of theorists exploring behaviorism, cognitivism, socio-cultural learning, etc. I also evolved my own theory of learning by creating an essay outlining my own beliefs of learning. We also explored learning among communities we were interested in, and how to conduct our own research. My research in particular was accommodating learning and resources for students in the hard of hearing and deaf community.
Summer 2021 Course Name:CEP 807 - Capstone in Educational Technology Instructor:Dr. Matthew Koehler and Aric Gaunt
Description: The capstone course gave me the opportunity to design a portfolio that highlighted my professional work through the graduate program. I created resources and information on my site that reflected who I am as an educator and lifelong learner. I constructed reflections that demonstrated the evolution of my thinking and practices from the past, present, and future. I was also able to share my journey and influences in my personal life that also brought me into the education field. This course supported me in creating a platform for a variety of audience members and purposes. After this course, I will have an establish space for others to view my goals and accomplishments as a move forward in my career.
Summer 2021 Course Name: CEP 833 - Creativity in K12 Computing Education Instructor: William Marsland
Description: This course was an extremely engaging way to open the world of computer science (CS) technology within the world of education. Each week we explored a new computing platform (Trinket, Scratch, Make:Code, etc.) and integrated it with a lesson, activity, assignments aligned with curricular content areas. We also focused on discussions regarding equitable instruction and exposure to CS learning in schools. I grew a great interest in understanding true technology integration, and the importance of computational skills in all areas of learning. This was a hands-on experience where I was able to gain new knowledge and insight on technology tools for any classroom.
Summer 2021 Course Name:CEP 822 - Approaches to Educational Research Instructor: Dr. E. David Wong
Description: This course explores research to give a deep understanding of its importance in the field of education. We specifically focused on quantitative and qualitative methods of research and the value of both when studying a particular topic. We learned how to find reliable artifacts to support a research topic of our choosing. We then designed a research plan that we would carry forward based on our analysis of research found around our topic of interest. After this course, I have a better understanding of published work, and the influence it has on many aspects of the education world.