KAILA HOWER
ANNOTATED TRANSCRIPT
This page serves as a record of the courses I took during my Master of Arts in Education (MAED) program at Michigan State University. The course title, course instructor or instructors, and a description of my experience is provided. This document is organized by semester. Listed below is also a key to explain the course codes.
ED= Education
EAD= Educational Administration
CEP= Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education
Fall 2017:
Dr. Steven Weiland
This was one of my first courses of the Master of Arts in Education (MAED) program. The course focused on educational inquiry through the analysis of various concepts. The structure of the course included six units. Students were expected to read and watch lecture material then complete a writing assignment synthesizing the information, at the end of the unit. The course was set up for students to work through the modules at their own pace. I was given the opportunity through the assignments to explore and learn how to synthesize foundational educational concepts with multimedia content.
EAD 878: Educational in the Digital Age
Dr. Steven Weiland
This course was the second of my first semester in the MAED program. The structure was very similar to the previous course. The content was divided into six units. Students started with the reading and viewing material then completed a writing assignment at the end of the unit. Students focused on connecting new media concepts with old media concepts. Students explored the importance of balancing technology use in the classroom to benefit the students. Technology should not be the guiding focus of the classroom. The focus should be on the students and their needs. I was able to recognize through this course that students need technological skills but technology should not drive the classroom curriculum.
Spring 2018:
CEP 800: Learning in School & Other Settings
Dr. Hannah Klautke
Learning happens across many contexts of our lives. This course focuses on what and how people learn throughout different settings. While analyzing what is being taught and how it is being taught in those settings. Students work through modules which focus on the following topics: expertise development, transfer, habits for learning, social aspects of learning, tools for learning. The text for the course was, How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School as well as research articles. Students completed discussions and writing assignments and submitted them through the Desire 2 Learn learning management system. The final project was a synthesis of the module information to answer a writing prompt.
Summer 2018:
CEP 820: Teaching Students Online
Dr. Anne Heintz & Dr. Cui Cheng
It is extremely rare to find any level of education that does not have an online component included. Even kindergarteners are utilizing online learning! This course focused on introducing educators to the proper, research support way, to create an online course. Students completed readings and lecture materials along with writing assignments. Case study assignments were used to introduce students to common problems teachers face while teaching an online course. Students spent time creating their own course through a Learning Management System of their choice. Through peer review and much revision, students submitted their online course as their final project.
CEP 815: Technology and Leadership
Dr. Diana Brandon & Dr. Amit Sharma
During this course students identified the context they were working within and how they were a leader in that context. Students completed readings and lectures introducing them to leadership styles and technology. Assignments were organized so students could practice being a leader while utilizing technology to do so. The professors provided articles and lecture materials to inform the students answers on assignments. The course used a Google Doc notebook to submit assignments and for students to discuss their assignments with their professors. The final project was a vision statement write up which included synthesizing the information from the course and applying it to an issue you have in your leadership context.
Spring 2020:
Dr. John Dirkx
Learning as an adult has different considerations than learning as a child or young adult. During this course students analyzed what unique barriers adults face while learning. We explored the topic through readings and written assignments. This specific assignment was an extremely tough one as it was the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Adult motivation and participation depends greatly on their resources and the support they have in their life. Students also worked together in groups to analyze case studies. They took time to individually write up a case analysis thoroughly discussing the content, relating it to research, and reflecting on the experience.
Spring 2022:
EAD 870: Foundations of Postsecondary Education
Dr. Dongbin Kim
Focusing on our history is an important part of creating a future we can be proud of. This course examined and analyzed the birth of higher education in the United States in comparison to higher education in other countries. We started at the beginning in colonial times and ended in the present era. Each week students had unit readings to complete, along with a write up. The unit write up was posted in a discussion format. Students were to complete responses to each other about their write up and the readings. A midterm and final paper with a final presentation were also included in the class.
Summer 2022:
CEP 813: Electronic Assessment for Teaching and Learning
Dr. Stephanie Jennings
Assessment can be an overwhelming part of teaching. This course examined assessment, in the past and the present. It then continued through all the ways educators could utilize assessment in a research supported way. There was an emphasis on utilizing assessment digitally. Through this course I was introduced to unique ways to assess students through a concept called Ungrading and also through gaming. Students moved through modules completing reading reflections and critical reviews in a Google doc notebook. Students then started completing pieces of a final project they would turn in at the end of the semester.
Fall 2022:
CEP 818: Creativity in Teaching & Learning
Colin Gallagher
I never considered myself a creative person. After taking this course, I realized I have many qualities that are actually creative and we can teach others to think creatively too. Each week, students focused on reading chapters of the book, Sparks of Genius: The Thirteen Thinking Tools of the World’s Most Creative People. Once the reading was complete students completed a write up in the Sparks Notebook and made an original creation. Through this process we learned how to create opportunities for creativity for students and what a huge impact creative processes had on some of the most brilliant minds. Being creative is more than being artistic with pencils and paints, it includes the recognition of patterns, the ability to empathize with people, and leading with intuition.
Spring 2023:
Dr. Matthew Koehler
This was my last course in the Master of Arts in Education program. We focused on reflecting on our journey through our program. Students were to complete a module every week or sometimes every two weeks, with the focus of creating an online portfolio. Reflection, feedback, and revision were at the forefront of this course. The creations students submitted were always a work in progress until the end of the semester. Exhibition Zoom meetings were held with a group of our peers and the instructor to gather a last round of feedback before the final portfolio.