ARTIFACT DESCRIPTION

These lesson plans were made in my Educational Technology Master’s program that is based around the ISTE standards (2a). These lesson plans helped me improve passive activities and lessons from our old curriculum and change them into “maker” activities that are specifically designed to meet the needs of all learners. I worked jointly with our technology and curriculum departments to create lessons with a shared vision that would be shared school wide (2c).

IMPLEMENTATION

These lesson plans are now embedded into the Altus schools’ social studies curriculum. They have been adopted school wide and have led to an increase in the use of our cutting edge technologies such as Zspace and 3d printing in the classroom. Additionally I utilized them as an archetype for a professional development I conducted on “Maker Spaces” and UDL. These lessons have also served as a model for other departments and subject areas.

IMPACT

These lesson plans utilize cutting edge technology such as 3d printing and allow students to take ownership of their learning. They model how to use technology and UDL principles in our core curriculums. These lessons have been adopted school wide and are now implemented across 50+ classrooms. The ISTE based skills I learned in my Master’s program are now serving a model for my colleagues and are directly impacting student learning. Teachers have reflected that students are much more engaged when using these lessons and I am proud that my personal educational journey has helped my colleagues and students.

ARTIFACT DESCRIPTION

This “MOOC & Web-based Learning” presentation is a reflection on my experience in a Massive Open Online Course. This artifact examines the experience of being an active participant in a worldwide course from Yale University. Access to courses like the one detailed in my artifact would typically be out of reach for 99.99% of the world population. Yet with the advent of MOOCs, they have become on the cutting edge of what is possible in a new, equitable world of online learning. I was able to connect with an entire community of lifelong learners and I was able to experience the curriculum and instruction from a world renown professor at Yale University. Best of all, I was able to do it all from the comfort of my home and at my own pace.

IMPLEMENTATION

MOOCs are open platforms where anyone from across the globe can learn from the best and brightest without the high bar to entry (such as admission to Yale University) that keeps learning inequitable. Most MOOCs are also able to be completed at your own time and pace, making them great for life longer learners looking to supplement their professional development or improve their skills independently. However, despite the learning autonomy they provide, they also allow you to connect with a massive network of other learners and alumni that keep these courses relevant and innovative. My experience participating in a MOOC from Yale university was amazing and it has helped me both professionally and personally. Additionally. I was able to implement this professional development while working and going to school full time.