Showcase
I have been creating and exploring throughout my time in the Michigan State University Masters in Educational Technology program. This webpage serves as a showcase for content that I've created throughout my time in the program. The themes of Curriculum/Pedagogy and Exploration have been used as a way of organizing my learning. Curriculum/Pedagogy focuses on educational best practice and my personal beliefs on education. When joining the program it was important for me to hone my knowledge of Curriculum and Pedagogy on how it relates to educational technology. It was also important for me to grow my knowledge in computer science and STEAM related fields. My Exploration highlights a few of the new educational experiences that I had throughout the program. All of the content that I have highlighted below has corresponding links and videos that I created along the way.
Curriculum & Pedagogy
The Future of Learning
21st Century Learning
The future of education and learning is a topic that is important to all educators. In this video and corresponding blog post, I talk about my views on 21st Century Learning and what it means to me. In the video, I highlight the importance of critical thinking/problem solving, collaboration, and real world application. The video and blog post are both rooted in recent educational research and include my own experiences in the classroom.
Assessment Best Practice
Student Assessment Professional Development
Professional development is an essential part of life-long learning. Creating this professional development opportunity addresses assessment best practice. Throughout the power point, I highlight key areas of assessment and give educational technology examples for implementation. To the right is an embedded scrollable PDF of the presentation.
Understanding Bias
Schema of Prejudice
This is a professional resource addressing the psychology behind bias and how we can begin to recognize it in ourselves. Highlighting current research and additional resources gives the power of knowledge. It is only when we recognize our schema's that we can progress our awareness and understanding. QR codes within this embedded PDF link to additional resources.
Transfer of Learning
Project Based Learning: Neighborhood
Development Project
The Neighborhood Development Project is a project-based, cross curricular unit of study for a 3rd grade classroom. The unit integrates math and social studies standards, while students collaboratively create their own neighborhoods in a small group. The video provided focuses on the digital resource and its purpose throughout the unit. The Neighborhood Development Project was a unit that was a memorable experience for my students, even talking about it years later.
Exploration
Microcontroller and Python Programming
Circuit Playground Express and Circuit Python
My first experience working with Python programming language involved the use of the Circuit Playground Express from Adafruit. The video included summarizes the process for beginning to learn Python programming language. I have also included blog posts at both the mid-point and conclusion of the learning experience.
Impact of Creativity and
Problem Solving
The Value of Creativity
Never underestimating the power of creativity and the impact that it can have is an important lesson. Creating a 3D model of a desk organizer using a computer aided design software called TinkerCAD helped explore both my creativity and my ability to problem solve new software. I fundraised to acquire a 3D printer for my classroom and was able to get students excited about engineering concepts. My blog post details my experience and includes additional resources.
Teaching Electronics
Arduino Exploration
As a computer science teacher, I constantly strive to learn new skills and technology to share that experience with my students. Arduino microcontrollers were an opportunity to show students the complexity and inner functions of technology. Using C++ and Arduino templates I was able to create functionality usually seen in everyday electronics. Students were able to make connections between things they use on a daily basis and their inner workings. My blog post highlights the different activities that I could share with students.
Software Navigation
Google Sites Tutorial
Teaching the technical aspects of software is an important skill as we continue to move towards a more digital society. Being able to represent information and make it accessible is becoming more and more important. Google Sites is a drag-and-drop website creator, that allows users to create a website in minutes. Most of the project specific websites, classroom websites and resource websites that I have created and used have been using this format.