Annotated Transcript
Michigan State University
Master of Arts in Educational Technology
This transcript shows the courses that I took, in order, throughout the Master of Arts in Educational Technology graduate program. It includes descriptions of each course from my perspective, including highlights, takeaways, and important experiences that impacted my education and professional career. Note: 'CEP' stands for Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education, which refers to the department for the course.
SUMMER 2015
CEP 810 - Teaching Understanding with Technology |
This was the first course I took in the Master of Arts in Education Technology program and it was an excellent introduction to the heart of what this degree would be about. In this course I was challenged to consider not just how I can optimally teach in the digital culture but also learn within it. I learned a skill of my choice using only online tools such as forums and online tutorials. Taking this experience and applying it to my teaching opened my eyes to the possibilities for my students as they learn with effective technology integration in the classroom. In addition, technology that supports effective teaching and learning was a focus.
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CEP 811 - Adapting Innovative Technology in Education |
Because technology is a quickly changing phenomenon, the MAET program is not about teaching you the latest bells and whistles in educational technology. If that were the case, the degree would be obsolete in a matter of months. Instead, the focus is on how technology is changing education and how general technology can support and enhance teaching, no matter what bell or whistle is hot at the time. With this in mind, what I thought I knew about technology was challenged in this course as I discovered a world of innovation in technology and how I can bring that to my teaching. This class focused on the Maker Movement and what it means to teach in this changing world of technology. I learned how to bring this innovation to my classroom to help students not just learn, but thrive in the midst of new challenges.
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CEP 812 - Applying Education Technology to Practice |
When looking at the future of education, where are we heading and how can we challenge ourselves to constantly consider best practices? Furthermore, how can meaningful technology integration help us to educate effectively? These are cornerstone questions of this course. It pushed me to consider the type of information that I consume, how I can provide a range of information as a teacher, how teaching in a classroom can be relevant in this changing world of online education, and more.
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SUMMER 2016
CEP 800 - Learning in School and Other Settings |
The concept of learning is a deeply intricate one. When we consider learning, we tend to think of traditional settings such as the walls of a classroom. But learning is much more than this. This course focused on the process of learning and the things that both enhance and hinder learning as well. This information was then taken and used to consider how learning happens in school and how learning can be better supported by teachers and other school stakeholders, including students themselves.
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CEP 822 - Approaches to Education Research |
One does not grow by staying complacent in one place forever. As teachers, we are challenged to educate ourselves on our profession and this class focused on the most effective ways to research education. As what we know about education changes and adapts with time, we must be able to stay up to date with current research. Through practical, adaptable lessons, this course showed me how and where to look for the best information about teaching and learning. Armed with this research, a teacher can change and adapt lessons to more effectively meet the needs of learners.
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SUMMER 2017
CEP 813 - Electronic Assessment |
Assessment is not just a summation of what a person learned over the course of a lesson, unit or class. This can certainly be an aspect of assessment, but true assessment is all encompassing and can (and should) take many forms. This course was not just about electronic assessment, but overall assessment in education. It challenged me to consider the best ways to measure learning and growth in my students and in myself as a teacher. The possibilities for assessing students, especially using effective technology, were considered from every angle.
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CEP 815 - Technology & Leadership |
This course focused on the characteristics of effective leadership and the ways in which one can prepare to step into such a role. Specifically, I was challenged to consider the ways technology is changing the face of education and what that means for all stakeholders within a school. Also, how a leader facilitates, manages, and promotes this new face of education was an important learning outcome. I was given the confidence to step into a role of leadership in technology and also the confidence to support other leaders as well.
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FALL 2017
CEP 818 - Creativity in Teaching & Learning |
Some people simply do not consider themselves to be creative, or they believe they are only creative in a limited sense. But what is creativity and why do we believe some have it and others do not? In this course, the very definition of what creativity is was the centerpiece of the experience. I learned about some key practices of creative thinkers and how I can take these practices and incorporate them into my life and my teaching. How I see the world, my possibilities, and possibilities of my students was broadened remarkably and I hope I can pass on this lesson to my students: everyone has the capability of being boundlessly creative, but it takes practice and work.
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SUMMER 2018
CEP 820 - Teaching Students Online |
Online education is a rapidly popular method of teaching students and is becoming more popular at all levels of education. Case in point, I completed this entire program online and am therefore living proof that profound learning can occur through the computer. This course focused on how teachers can best facilitate online learning. Also, how do teaching and learning change in an online environment and what are the most effective ways to both teach and learn in this non-traditional setting were addressed. Both fully online courses as well as blended or hybrid courses were considered and I learned not only how I can teach an online course, but how I can continue to challenge myself to think about learning in general in new ways.
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CEP 807 - Captstone Course |
This final course in my Master of Arts in Educational Technology brought all the above courses together to create a portfolio highlighting not just what I learned but who I am as a teacher and what I will do with this education. To do this, I created a website portfolio (which you are now viewing!) that speaks to my personality and brings together some key experiences in this program that others who view my site can learn from. Furthermore, building this website, which has included creating new content as well as curating content from my work in classes throughout the program, has been an important reflection on my learning overall.
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