Masters of Arts in Education
Course Work
ED 800: Concepts of Educational Inquiry
Instructor: Steven Weiland
Summer 2010
Instructor: Steven Weiland
Summer 2010
Ed 800 was designed as an introduction to the Masters of Arts in Education program at Michigan State University. The purpose of this course was to think about fundamental questions within education. The course introduced different types of inquiry throughout the history of education. We were asked to apply some ideas from well known educators into our own classrooms as we discussed how to answer some of these fundamental questions about what and how we should learn.
TE 855: Teaching School Mathematics
Instructor: Dr. Kristen Bieda
Fall 2010
Instructor: Dr. Kristen Bieda
Fall 2010
The goal of TE 855 was to focus on mathematics as more than just following a procedures of steps and rules. The focus is on mathematical reasoning and determining "if it makes sense" and "why" the processes work. Throughout the course we were asked to consider what mathematical reasoning might look like at different grade levels and how it might look to teach students to reason mathematically. This was done through researching some basic mathematical questions as well as working on applying standards and solving problems creatively.
TE 861C: Action Research in the K-12 Mathematics and Science Classroom
Instructor: Dawnmarie Ezzo
Summer 2010
Instructor: Dawnmarie Ezzo
Summer 2010
TE 861C provides students with the opportunity to learn more about developing and planning research in your school or classroom environment. This course teaches that teachers play an important role in the conversation about how to set up curriculum and what might be the best teaching practices. Due to the fact that this was a summer course I was not able to implement the actual research, but the course gave me an opportunity to reflect on my teaching in a way I had not before.
TE 864: Accommodating Differences in Literacy Learners
Instructor: Laurel Disney
Fall 2011
Instructor: Laurel Disney
Fall 2011
I took this course to fulfill the Michigan Teacher Certificate requirement of a 3-credit literacy course that focused on understanding and practicing reading and writing assessment and instruction that specifically is designed for the differing needs of the individual learner. We discussed areas of cultural and linguistic differences, individual motivation differences, neuropsychological differences, instructional arrangements to accommodate learning differences, and core components of effective literacy instruction. This course taught the important principles of instruction and remediation within the realms of reading and writing while allowing the practice of adapting instruction to benefit individual learners.
CEP 805: Learning Mathematics with Technology
Instructor: Dr. Ralph Putnam
Spring 2012
Instructor: Dr. Ralph Putnam
Spring 2012
The focus of CEP 805 was to look at how to support the teaching of mathematics through the use of technology. Throughout the course we worked on re-purposing different technologies for use in the mathematics classroom, developing a list of technology resources to benefit student learning, and different perspectives on the issues of incorporating technology into the classroom. Throughout the course we looked at how the Principles and Standards of School Mathematics as well as the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics structure teaching across grade levels and how they relate to current technologies. I was able to develop a online resource library made up of a variety of different resources (both instructional and games) for the study and practice of algebra concepts.
TE 831: Teaching School Subject Matter with Technology
Instructor: Akesha Horton
Summer 2012
Instructor: Akesha Horton
Summer 2012
The focus of TE 831 was to develop strategies and methods for teaching school subject matter with technology. I applied this to the teaching of mathematics. We discussed the TPACK theory (Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge Theory), digital literacy, digital citizenship, national educational technology standards for teachers, and the social construction of technology theory. The goal is to allow us the opportunity to develop a way of thinking about how to integrate technology within the classroom setting to provide authentic learning experiences for students.
CEP 818: Creativity in Teaching and Learning
Instructor: Punya Mishra, Kristen Kereluik, Laura Terry
Fall 2012
Instructor: Punya Mishra, Kristen Kereluik, Laura Terry
Fall 2012
Throughout this course we explored a range of questions related to creativity. The focus was on trans-disciplinary creativity which involves connections between art and science as it is applied to pure knowledge. The goal was to find common threads between strategies and habits of thought in any discipline. Throughout this course we were asked to keep a journal on Developing the Creative "I" in which we tried out new ideas within our own life and teaching to try and build creativity.
CEP 815: Technology and Leadership
Instructor: Luke Rapa, Joshua Rosenburg
Spring 2013
Instructor: Luke Rapa, Joshua Rosenburg
Spring 2013
This course was designed to develop our thinking and experiences as technology leaders within our educational setting. Education, technology, and leadership were integrated and connected together throughout this course. We spent time looking at technology from a variety of different perspectives; discussing both the positives and negatives of using technology within the classroom. Throughout this course I was able to develop a learning technology initiative/plan that could be used for implementation within my school.
KIN 856: Physical Bases of Coaching
Instructor: Scott Riewald
Summer 2013
Instructor: Scott Riewald
Summer 2013
This course was designed to introduce the important factors that influence an athlete's performance as it relates to sport. These were the topics we focused on: critical performance factors, muscle/bone movement, over-training, tapering, technique fundamentals, nutrition, supplements, warm-up, strength and conditioning. Throughout this course I was able to develop tools to implement in my coaching making both my athletes and parents more aware of factors that can influence performance. We were also able to consider what our time as coaches should be more focused on in relation to what changes can be made to help fix other problems as well.
ED 870: Capstone Portfolio Course
Instructor: Dr. Matthew Koehler
Fall 2013
Instructor: Dr. Matthew Koehler
Fall 2013
ED 870 is the Capstone Portfolio course for my Masters of Arts in Education at Michigan State University. This is the last course I am taking in which I have created this website to showcase my work throughout this program and in my professional career. The goal is to reflect on the work we have completed, think about where we would like to go as educators, and continue on the path of being life-long learners.