Graduate Project Showcase

Introduction

The Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) program at Michigan State University pushed me to view myself as a leader and advocate for the use of technology in schools. I believe that I experienced a professional transformation after going through this program. I now see myself as a designer and innovator. This page showcases the works that I created during my time in the MAET program.

One of my largest take-aways from the program was the design of online courses. I needed a flexible format to fit my schedule. The MAET program met my needs by providing a combination of asynchronous and synchronous activities. The majority of the courses used the following format:

Learn - Explore - Create

The format of these courses played a critical role in my professional learning. It helped me to construct my own ideas about education and the role that technology can play in solving current issues. As I reflect on my time in the MAET program, I feel that I can make a direct connection with that format. Therefore, I felt that the best way for me to organize my showcase page was to categorize my works into these three categories. Below you will see an explanation for each category and artifacts that showcase my journey through the MAET program. Each artifact was designed for a specific course. However, these artifacts showcase and how I utilized what I learned to make an impact in my professional practice. The buttons below will take you directly to the corresponding category on this page.

Learn

Explore

Create

Learn

Anchor 1

This section showcases works that demonstrate my ability to synthesize information and demonstrate my understanding of my topic. Please hover over the buttons below to view a preview of the works and click the buttons to see the final products.

TPACK Video Demonstration

I created this video to explain the Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) Framework in approximately two minutes. This video showcases my ability to synthesize my learning and explain my knowledge in my own words. I essentially define the framework in my own words as finding the best tool to teach content in the best possible way for students. TPACK is one of the foundational frameworks that are needed to successfully find ways to integrate technology in the classroom. This framework was essential for the learning that took place through this program. Please click the button to view this work.

Personal Learning Theory

This work synthesizes my thoughts about learning as it relates to school and outside settings. In this work, I discuss the importance of constructivism, learning environments, and the role prior knowledge plays when learning new ideas. Most importantly, I share a vision that everyone has unlimited potential to learn. New research and technology is opening the door to knowledge that previously could not be conceived. Please click on the button above to view my Personal Theory.

Network Learning Project

In this work, I demonstrate an understanding of the basic hardware located inside a computer while also demonstrating my ability to replace a hard drive within the computer. My Network Learning Project showcases my ability to learn independently because I needed to teach myself about the hardware for a computer by relying online on free resources that can be accessed by anyone online. Since my network learning project involved learning to fix a computer, I needed to transfer my general knowledge I learned online to a specific model computer. Please click the button to view this work.

Explore

Anchor 2

This section showcases works that were created based on my freedom to explore topics of my own choosing. These projects include current trends and wicked problems that can be seen in education today. Each work has impacted my view on its implication in education.

Competency-Based Learning

My work, Defining Competency-Based Learning & Exploring Strategies to Promote Its Use, is a research paper that analyzes the inconsistency that exists today when referencing competency-based learning. It also offers ways that competency-based learning can be standardized and promoted to show its potential benefits. This work challenged me to not openly accept current trends without gaining a full understanding of the topic and making my own judgments. Through this paper I gained a better understanding of the implications of moving towards a competency-based learning. I will use this knowledge to help make informed decisions in my district. Please click on the above button to view this work.

EdTech Leadership Vision

This work analyzes my vision for technology use to promote learning in schools. I explain why I believe that even though students should always be the basis for decisions that are made in schools, technology in my opinion is the driving force of change because it is making an impact on how we do everything. I share in my vision that I believe the two ways that technology can impact learning effectively is through personalized learning strategies and authentic assessments. Please click the above button to view my vision for technology to promote student learning.

Keeping Education Relevant

This work was created in a collaborative effort with Duncan deBruin and Andy Greger. We collaborated to understand the wicked issue that surrounds education today - Keeping Education Relevant. This work included several components, including research, survey design, infographic design that summarized the research, and a video that shared our perspective of this wicked issue. This work showcases our ability to collaborate and process a very complex issue. Please hover over the project title to view a preview of our work and click on the preview to view the work in its entirety.

Create

Anchor 3

This section showcases works I created that I directly applied to my professional practice. The MAET program offered me the potential to complete meaningful tasks that were applicable to what I do as an Instructional Technology Specialist. Each work showcases the work I did in the program and how it was (or will be) implemented in my professional practice.

Redesigning IT in My District

Room Redesign with Sketchup

Online Course Development

This set of works by far was the largest takeaway from the MAET program. I created an action plan to improve the Instructional Technology effectiveness in my district. Two components of my action plan are being developed and/or used in my district currently:

Renovated Website/Blog to find help articles and information for instructional strategies.
A website that can be used to monitor growth and goal setting with teachers.

The ultimate goal of my action plan is to become as effective as possible so that we are able to support educators in the best possible way. Please click the above button to view my action plan and view the components that are currently being used in my district.

I designed a room layout that would be used for a newly created course at Cedar Crest High School. This design needed to include desk and work space for three members of the technology department and room for students to work and collaborate as a part of a student help desk. The room currently is being used by approximately 3-5 students during each period of the school day in an effort to collaborate to build projects and provide service to students in the high school. I learned how to use Sketchup to design and make changes to my room layout. This work showcases my ability to use detailed measurements to design a flexible learning space. Please click the above button to view my initial design and see how this design was used to create a room layout that is currently being used in my practice.

In this work, I created an online course that will be used to help teachers plan their efforts in using Schoology as a tool to build a blended learning environment. This course offers a tour of the website and the ability to see the student side of Schoology while also learning about key components of online courses and how to build a course that can meet their individual needs. Through this course, teachers will create an action plan, organize a course shell to use as a starting point, and create a lesson that will be featured within the developed course. The course can be accessed through Schoology. I encourage you to create a free account and join my course with the code WHSZ9-2HTFZ.