Below you will find an Annotated Transcript of my courses leading up to my Master's of Education degree at Michigan State University beginning in the Fall of 2011...
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CEP 802- Developing Positive Attitudes in Learners
Fall 2011
Instructor: E. Oka
Course Description:
CEP 802 is a course which hones one's skills in approaching and managing students' behavior, attitudes and overall perspectives towards education. The major focus of the subject matter in this course is centered around motivation to learn; applying techniques and methods proven through research to be effective with all types of students.
I found CEP 802 beneficial in a wide variety of ways. At the time I took the course I had taken a job as a Parapro in a Cognitively Impaired (CI) room at our high school. The methods and approaches (centered around adapting and enriching the environment for the learner) were invaluable that year, and continue to prove their worth.
Links to Sample(s) of Coursework:
Final Paper for CEP 802
___________________________________________________________________________
CEP 820- Teaching K-12 Students Online
Fall 2011
Instructor: L. Wolf
Course Description:
CEP 820 is a course designed to show teachers how to take advantage of the incredible resource which is the internet.
The course explored ways to innovate with technology available to teachers in their quest to teach and enhance the educational experience for each student. This was my first experience with building a website which was tailored to teaching and helping students in a truly differentiated way. Students are introduced (if you have no prior experience) to the various features of the many available web resources such as Weebly, Blackboard and other websites designed for the educator. The creation of online curricula is a major focus of this course, and at the end of the class, one will be adept at creating and using online tools to teach many aspects of a class.
Links to Sample(s) of Coursework:
Example of an online course task/lesson for my CI students
____________________________________________________________________________________
CEP 832- Educating Students with Challenging Behaviors
Spring 2012
Instructor: E. Oka
Course Description:
As the course tittle explains, this class focuses on students which have proven to be challenging to teach. There are many techniques and approaches covered in the course which I, again, found very beneficial to my job last year as a Parapro in a CI room. The major focus of behavior is ushered away from the individual student, and more attention is paid to the causes and "remedies" for the negative behavior. The course is a must have for any teacher dealing with difficult and challenging behavior on a consistent basis.
Links to Sample(s) of Coursework:
Case Study of a student in a Cognitively Impaired room.
___________________________________________________________________________
ED 800- Concepts of Educational Inquiry
Spring 2012
Instructor: S. Weiland
Course Description:
ED 800 was a journey through the life of education; from John Dewey through more modern theorist such as Mary Catherine Bateson. As the student progresses through the course, they will look at education through the lens of theory, then address how those theories are/can be applied to the classroom of today. The origins of the attitudes and approaches of many modern pedagogical methods are examined, explained and critiqued as well. This course provides a background and catharsis for education, and in my own journey, helped me realize the "why" of what schools do today, and how we can be limited by our past, and at the same time, be limitless in our future approaches to teaching.
Links to Sample(s) of Coursework:
Paper highlighting Dewey's impact and influence on schooling through today.
___________________________________________________________________________
CEP 840- Policy, Practices and Perspectives in Special Education
Summer 2012
Instructor: C. Englert
Course Description:
CEP 840 is a course which will make the Special Education teacher examine how well they know the legalities and procedures which accompany their position, and for the General Education teacher (myself for instance) the class will make one look at how well they might be trying to adapt teaching to accommodate all levels of learners. From writing IEP's and diagnosing a daily routine to see if one is providing best-practiced-based teaching, to looking at the set-up of your classroom, this course will challenge you to see teaching from a view which includes many levels and abilities of learners and their individual needs.
Links to Sample(s) of Coursework:
A sample from my work in CEP 840; a paper concerning the topic of educational refocus.
___________________________________________________________________________
TE 846- Accommodating Differences in Literacy Learners
Summer 2012
Instructor: A. Dodge
Course Description:
TE 846 fills the requirement by the State of Michigan for teachers to have taken a class focused on the teaching of reading. This being said, the course will cover many methods for the teaching of reading. From using Differentiated Instruction techniques, to challenging the instructor to look at their view on literacy in general, and what constitutes a literate person, TE 846 will sharpen your skills in the arena of literacy instruction.
Links to Sample(s) of Coursework:
An extensive case study of "Jon," a student in a C.I. high school room.
___________________________________________________________________________
CEP 804a- Literacy Instruction to Students with Mild Disabilities
Fall 2012
Instructor: C. Englert
Course Description:
CEP 804a is a course focused on teaching literacy skills to students whom might be mildly disables, and therefore, need different methods, approaches and accommodations in order for them to be successful. The most impressive/useful aspect of this class for me personally was the discovery of the P.I.C.T.U.R.E. method of reading instruction. Predict, Imagine, Clarify, Try, Understand, Review and Evaluate are the what the letters of the acronym stand for, and this proved to be a very powerful method of teaching comprehension to both special education and general education students. My instructor, Carol Englert, was also one of the most amazing teachers I have ever had as well; challenging. understanding and knowledgeable all describe Dr. Englert to a "T."
Links to Sample(s) of Coursework:
___________________________________________________________________________
CEP 818- Creativity in Teaching and Learning
Fall 2012
Instructor: P. Mishra
Course Description:
CEP 818 is a course with the purpose of encouraging and explaining the use of creativity in your teaching methods. The promotion of incorporating creative elements in all aspects and subjects in school in central to this class. From the illustration of Einstein using his own creative thinking to push his theories forward, to the breakdown of the different elements of being creative, this class will give a student the opportunity to see how being thoughtfully creative can enhance and benefit all involved. Of note, this class will force one to see the mundane and ordinary from a completely different perspective and "open one's eyes" to a new view on many things in teaching and the world in general.
Links to Sample(s) of Coursework:
___________________________________________________________________________
CEP 801a- Consultation in Special Education
Spring 2013
Instructor: C. Englert
Course Description:
CEP 801a brings to the forefront the relationship between colleagues in the co-teaching environment. From a personal perspective, this course was extremely beneficial in terms of allowing me (and my co-teaching partner as well) to have dialogue about different aspects of our class which we had previously not taken the time to explore. Through focusing one's attention on fundamental elements of the co-teaching experience, areas of opportunity and celebration are exposed. The instructor for this course, Dr. Englert, is also one of the best I have ever had as well.
Links to Sample(s) of Coursework:
___________________________________________________________________________
CEP 813- Electronic Portfolios
Spring 2013
Instructor: W. Dickson
Course Description:
CEP 813 explores the use of electronic portfolios in a classroom. Whether it be from a legal standpoint, or viewing the use of portfolios from a student's perspective, this course will show a teacher how a class can be enhanced with a e-portfolio. During this course one will build a website and tailor it for use in an actual classroom- the student's own class preferably. The class is an essential for anyone wishing to incorporate technology into their lessons in a meaningful way.
Links to Sample(s) of Coursework:
___________________________________________________________________________
ED 870- Capstone Seminar
Summer 2013
Instructor: M. Koehler
Course Description:
Of course, this is the most important course within the Master's program! While there might be a tinge of playfulness in that opening statement, it also holds to be true beyond words. In this course, one will reflect on and review the courses taken and process just how all of the learning which has taken place has affected the classroom, perspectives, approaches, and methods which are used on a daily basis in one's own classroom. While I am only partially complete in ED 870, I see the value in the reflective nature of the course and appreciate the methods which have been used thus far.
Links to Sample(s) of Coursework:
___________________________________________________________________________
CEP 802- Developing Positive Attitudes in Learners
Fall 2011
Instructor: E. Oka
Course Description:
CEP 802 is a course which hones one's skills in approaching and managing students' behavior, attitudes and overall perspectives towards education. The major focus of the subject matter in this course is centered around motivation to learn; applying techniques and methods proven through research to be effective with all types of students.
I found CEP 802 beneficial in a wide variety of ways. At the time I took the course I had taken a job as a Parapro in a Cognitively Impaired (CI) room at our high school. The methods and approaches (centered around adapting and enriching the environment for the learner) were invaluable that year, and continue to prove their worth.
Links to Sample(s) of Coursework:
Final Paper for CEP 802
___________________________________________________________________________
CEP 820- Teaching K-12 Students Online
Fall 2011
Instructor: L. Wolf
Course Description:
CEP 820 is a course designed to show teachers how to take advantage of the incredible resource which is the internet.
The course explored ways to innovate with technology available to teachers in their quest to teach and enhance the educational experience for each student. This was my first experience with building a website which was tailored to teaching and helping students in a truly differentiated way. Students are introduced (if you have no prior experience) to the various features of the many available web resources such as Weebly, Blackboard and other websites designed for the educator. The creation of online curricula is a major focus of this course, and at the end of the class, one will be adept at creating and using online tools to teach many aspects of a class.
Links to Sample(s) of Coursework:
Example of an online course task/lesson for my CI students
____________________________________________________________________________________
CEP 832- Educating Students with Challenging Behaviors
Spring 2012
Instructor: E. Oka
Course Description:
As the course tittle explains, this class focuses on students which have proven to be challenging to teach. There are many techniques and approaches covered in the course which I, again, found very beneficial to my job last year as a Parapro in a CI room. The major focus of behavior is ushered away from the individual student, and more attention is paid to the causes and "remedies" for the negative behavior. The course is a must have for any teacher dealing with difficult and challenging behavior on a consistent basis.
Links to Sample(s) of Coursework:
Case Study of a student in a Cognitively Impaired room.
___________________________________________________________________________
ED 800- Concepts of Educational Inquiry
Spring 2012
Instructor: S. Weiland
Course Description:
ED 800 was a journey through the life of education; from John Dewey through more modern theorist such as Mary Catherine Bateson. As the student progresses through the course, they will look at education through the lens of theory, then address how those theories are/can be applied to the classroom of today. The origins of the attitudes and approaches of many modern pedagogical methods are examined, explained and critiqued as well. This course provides a background and catharsis for education, and in my own journey, helped me realize the "why" of what schools do today, and how we can be limited by our past, and at the same time, be limitless in our future approaches to teaching.
Links to Sample(s) of Coursework:
Paper highlighting Dewey's impact and influence on schooling through today.
___________________________________________________________________________
CEP 840- Policy, Practices and Perspectives in Special Education
Summer 2012
Instructor: C. Englert
Course Description:
CEP 840 is a course which will make the Special Education teacher examine how well they know the legalities and procedures which accompany their position, and for the General Education teacher (myself for instance) the class will make one look at how well they might be trying to adapt teaching to accommodate all levels of learners. From writing IEP's and diagnosing a daily routine to see if one is providing best-practiced-based teaching, to looking at the set-up of your classroom, this course will challenge you to see teaching from a view which includes many levels and abilities of learners and their individual needs.
Links to Sample(s) of Coursework:
A sample from my work in CEP 840; a paper concerning the topic of educational refocus.
___________________________________________________________________________
TE 846- Accommodating Differences in Literacy Learners
Summer 2012
Instructor: A. Dodge
Course Description:
TE 846 fills the requirement by the State of Michigan for teachers to have taken a class focused on the teaching of reading. This being said, the course will cover many methods for the teaching of reading. From using Differentiated Instruction techniques, to challenging the instructor to look at their view on literacy in general, and what constitutes a literate person, TE 846 will sharpen your skills in the arena of literacy instruction.
Links to Sample(s) of Coursework:
An extensive case study of "Jon," a student in a C.I. high school room.
___________________________________________________________________________
CEP 804a- Literacy Instruction to Students with Mild Disabilities
Fall 2012
Instructor: C. Englert
Course Description:
CEP 804a is a course focused on teaching literacy skills to students whom might be mildly disables, and therefore, need different methods, approaches and accommodations in order for them to be successful. The most impressive/useful aspect of this class for me personally was the discovery of the P.I.C.T.U.R.E. method of reading instruction. Predict, Imagine, Clarify, Try, Understand, Review and Evaluate are the what the letters of the acronym stand for, and this proved to be a very powerful method of teaching comprehension to both special education and general education students. My instructor, Carol Englert, was also one of the most amazing teachers I have ever had as well; challenging. understanding and knowledgeable all describe Dr. Englert to a "T."
Links to Sample(s) of Coursework:
___________________________________________________________________________
CEP 818- Creativity in Teaching and Learning
Fall 2012
Instructor: P. Mishra
Course Description:
CEP 818 is a course with the purpose of encouraging and explaining the use of creativity in your teaching methods. The promotion of incorporating creative elements in all aspects and subjects in school in central to this class. From the illustration of Einstein using his own creative thinking to push his theories forward, to the breakdown of the different elements of being creative, this class will give a student the opportunity to see how being thoughtfully creative can enhance and benefit all involved. Of note, this class will force one to see the mundane and ordinary from a completely different perspective and "open one's eyes" to a new view on many things in teaching and the world in general.
Links to Sample(s) of Coursework:
___________________________________________________________________________
CEP 801a- Consultation in Special Education
Spring 2013
Instructor: C. Englert
Course Description:
CEP 801a brings to the forefront the relationship between colleagues in the co-teaching environment. From a personal perspective, this course was extremely beneficial in terms of allowing me (and my co-teaching partner as well) to have dialogue about different aspects of our class which we had previously not taken the time to explore. Through focusing one's attention on fundamental elements of the co-teaching experience, areas of opportunity and celebration are exposed. The instructor for this course, Dr. Englert, is also one of the best I have ever had as well.
Links to Sample(s) of Coursework:
___________________________________________________________________________
CEP 813- Electronic Portfolios
Spring 2013
Instructor: W. Dickson
Course Description:
CEP 813 explores the use of electronic portfolios in a classroom. Whether it be from a legal standpoint, or viewing the use of portfolios from a student's perspective, this course will show a teacher how a class can be enhanced with a e-portfolio. During this course one will build a website and tailor it for use in an actual classroom- the student's own class preferably. The class is an essential for anyone wishing to incorporate technology into their lessons in a meaningful way.
Links to Sample(s) of Coursework:
___________________________________________________________________________
ED 870- Capstone Seminar
Summer 2013
Instructor: M. Koehler
Course Description:
Of course, this is the most important course within the Master's program! While there might be a tinge of playfulness in that opening statement, it also holds to be true beyond words. In this course, one will reflect on and review the courses taken and process just how all of the learning which has taken place has affected the classroom, perspectives, approaches, and methods which are used on a daily basis in one's own classroom. While I am only partially complete in ED 870, I see the value in the reflective nature of the course and appreciate the methods which have been used thus far.
Links to Sample(s) of Coursework: