SHOWCASE
Introduction
Before starting the Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) program at Michigan State University, I had a vision of fostering success and building confidence in my students by encouraging creative and innovative ways of teaching and learning, catering the needs of all learners in my classroom through differentiation and improve to prove myself as a leader.
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While in this program, I have realized that educational technology has the potential to help me achieve this vision. Below is a showcase of the projects that reflects my journey of educational technology towards achieving my vision. As per my goals, this showcase is divided into three categories:
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Inspire to be a leader
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One size never fits for all- Differentiation
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Creativity is borderless.
Inspire to be a leader
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, than you are a leader."
John Quincy Adams
Re-imagine online learning
TPACK and Learning theories
I worked with my think tank group to re-imagine one of the “wicked problems”. We challenged ourselves to re-imagine the online learning and established three recommendations for making the best online learning experience for learners: adapt Universal Design of Learning (UDL) principles and 21st century learning skills, accountability in educational exchange and incorporate opportunities for social interactions within the structure of the online learning environment.
The thought process that led us to the conclusions for the wicked problem, a white paper that supports these positions, popplet, and a mashup video summarizing our solution can be viewed at blend space.
Being a 21st century educator, I have always tried to incorporate the new technology and strategies in my lesson that stimulate my student’s metacognitive skills. I created this lesson plan while keeping in mind of how my pedagogical and technological strategies are supported by cognitive, social, and behaviorist learning perspectives.
The goal of my lesson was to facilitate my students in learning and understandings about three states of matter more specifically why matter expand. I want them to be able to answer four Essential questions about the three states of Matter by using Discover Board Builder. As per Understanding by Design (UbD) theory, I started to sketch my lesson plan while keeping an end goal in mind. I designed my assessment before planning a whole lesson.
Click here to check out the “Lesson Elements” that support my lesson plan.
Click here to check out the step- by- step “Lesson plan”
Use of technology in professional practice
Each day is a new day for teachers to decide when and how to integrate technology into their practices. Numerous factors affect teachers’ aptitude to integrate these tools fluently into their practices ranges from their expertise to an instructional goal. I created a survey for my Professional Learning Network (PLN) to analyze their technological skills, technology integration and their preference for technology-related professional development. I believe that the information from these results can help to examine the ways to educate teachers about technological tools and re-assess the ways to encourage teachers to teach tomorrow’s skills today. These findings along with discussion can be found in my white paper.
The graphic representations of my data summarize my participants’ current technological integration in their practices and their visions for technology integration improvement in their schools.
One size never fits for all-Differentiation
Makey-Makey and life skill teaching
I have always tried to find the ways to help my special need students in a new, unique and creative way. In this lesson, I re-purposed Aluminum foil with MakeyMakey to teach life skills to non-verbal Autistic, developmental delayed student. I have explored learning theories, planning a lesson on Universal design of learning (UDL) principles and implementing meaningful assessments. I also found a way to utilize Maker kit to help special need student. This project forced me out of my comfort zone and inspired me to be creative and innovative.
Click the image to view the verbal walkthrough of my creativity. The corresponding lesson plan for how I would incorporate this into instruction can be found in pdf file.
Autism-ABA in Action
While working with students with special need, I always tried to find the creative ways to support my students. One of the objectives was to explore one technology to support my students with special need and provide justifications for my thinking based on the research.
The special need I chose to write about in a white paper is “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)”. “Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral developmental disorder, characterized by the inability to sustain attention and effort, impulsivity, and possible accompanying hyperactivity” (Prasad, V., 2013). Some of the most common problem caused by this symptom include impairment at school and academic achievement of the students with ADHD students.
The implementation of technology to support students with ADHD is one of the interventions suggested for the academic success. Tumble Books, is an online resource that can assist students with ADHD in on- task behavior and academic productivity by teaching young children in a colorful and engaging format they’ll like.
Here is a short screencast explaining how Tumble Books can help students diagnosed with ADHD.
I was excited to explore the wonderful online learning platform of Massive Open Online Courses or MOOC, align with the goal objective of instructional design. It was a challenge to create a plan for my own MOOC, based on the topic of my expertise and choice. I used the format created by P2PU (Peer 2Peer University). It was Extensive and different experience, but I believe it has resulted in a comprehensive and widespread learning experience for me to create an “Ultra Micro MOOC” on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for Autistic people. I think by adopting ABA strategies, we will be able to interact and communicate effectively with Autistic people and help them to bring success and confidence in their lives and become independent valuable citizens.
Creativity is borderless
Say yes to success by creativity, innovation, and critical thinking with technology
Mathlectual
My chem creation
