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Technology Coursework Candidate for: Master of Arts in Education I started the Educational Technology Program at California State University, Long Beach, in the Fall of 2006. Thus far I have completed five courses in the core curriculum of the program. Below you will find descriptions of the courses, links to completed assignments, and my personal reflections on the courses. ETEC 525 Social and Cultural Implications of Educational TechnologyCourse DescriptionCritical examination of social and cultural implications of educational technologies, considering issues of cultural bias, equity, and questions of who benefits from particular technologies. International applications of computer technologies to promote learning about different cultures. Case studies of issues concerning computers and society.Assignments * Single-Sex Technology Education Research Paper ReflectionI thoroughly enjoyed this course and feel that my knowledge about the current trends and problems in the field of technology has greatly broadened through the readings and activities required. The issues discussed in class are relevant and crucial to all of us, not only as educators but as citizens of a global, technological society. As a result of this class I am more determined than ever to integrate technology to the fullest extent possible in my classroom, to my students who are at a socioeconomic and therefore technological disadvantage. In addition, I will do my best to integrate technology across the curriculum and through projects that are not gender-biased so as to prepare all my students for a successful future in our global economy. ETEC 551 Education and the InternetCourse DescriptionCourse provides discussion, demonstrations, and hands-on experience related to educational applications of computer communication systems such as e-mail, file transfer protocol (ftp), computer bulletin boards, listservs, and the World Wide Web. Students complete a series of hands-on instructional assignments using technology-based tools to design and manage educational programs delivered via the Internet.Assignments *Literature Review ReflectionThis course was very challenging for me, as I had never used any kind of animation software previously. After many hours of hard work and a lot of frustration, I managed to pick up quite a few skills which I am looking forward to using in the near future. Once I figure out how to import Flash documents into Dreamweaver, I will upload some samples of my animations on this website! This course has also led me to develop a great respect for those programmers who have developed all the fantastic educational games for kids that can be found free of charge on the internet. Though I feel much more comfortable on the user end, it's pretty cool to have some sort of idea about how they made those fabulous animations work! I also found the presentations by my classmates very useful in adding to my technology resources for the classroom. As a result of this class, I am using videos from United Streaming on a regular basis in my classroom in order to enhance curriculum through the use of technology and to bring lessons to life for my students. ETEC 523 Computer Technology in Education, Level IICourse DescriptionAdvanced principles for integrating computer technology into learning environments to improve: planning, designing and implementing learning experiences; educational communication and collaboration; assessment and evaluation. This course satisfies the California Level 2 computer technology standard. Assignments*"People Who Have Made a Difference" Video ReflectionI feel this class was a really good one to help me fill in some gaps that I had been missing in my basic technology skills. I was able to learn how to create a simple video using still images as well as insert sound into Word and Powerpoint projects to improve their quality and enhance engagement for students. I thoroughly enjoyed creating "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" with my students and they loved hearing those own voices coming through the computer as I projected the slideshow on the screen. In addition, I was able to use the "People Who Have Made a Difference" video with my second graders and then help them create their own modified version with the same topic. ETEC 553 Instructional DesignCourse DescriptionAn introduction to principles of instructional design with emphasis on designing effective teaching strategies with educational technology. Students will apply design theories and models to plan, create, and refine learner-centered educational activities. Students will complete a series of instructional design assignments involving educational technology.Assignments*Critique of an Educational Website ReflectionThis class was a lot of work, but well worth it. As I worked together with classmate Marybel Marcelli, we were able to combine our skills and areas of expertise to create a prototype for an educational website that will help second graders meet State Language Arts standards as well as National technology standards. Through the formative evaluation process, we learned a great deal from a design expert, a literacy expert, and our target audience of second graders about how we could improve the design quality, educational value, and engagement factor of our website. As we continually worked to improve our prototype, it solidified for us the importance of formative evaluations in all aspects of education, and for me it confirmed the fact that whatever lesson I create will always have room for improvement and will always be a work in progress. ETEC 535 Accessible Electronic and Information TechnologiesCourse DescriptionCritical use, analysis and evaluation of computer applications of computer technologies for accessibility and usability for populations with diverse needs. Terminology, design principles, and applications of accessible technologies. Legal and ethical issues in developing or adopting accessible electronic and information technologies.Assignments*Auditory Processing Disorders Research Paper ReflectionThe learning curve for me in this course has been tremendous. It has certainly been eye-opening as to the number of disabilities that can affect one's access to technology as well as to the number of accessibility options that are available that I as previously unaware of. I learned how easy it is to make simple changes in my own documents, presentations and websites that will help make them accessible to people with a variety of special needs. Creating my own persona really helped to put myself in the shoes of a person with a specific disability and view accessibility issues from his perspective and that of his family. ETEC 623 Developing Technology-Based LearningCourse DescriptionAnalysis and hands-on experience related to the use of modern techniques for developing technology-based learning. The course provides discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences in the computer lab toward the development of technology based interactive learning programs. The course introduces advanced concepts of technology-based instructional design that are of value to educators including educational psychologists, curriculum developers, school administrators, special education teachers, and school counselors. Students will complete a series of hands-on instructional design assignments using state of the art technology-based learning programs. Each student will apply these methods by designing a technology-based instructional program.AssignmentsNarration, Sound Effects, and Background Music Paper ReflectionThe main focus of this class was on the design of e-learning web resources based on the principles of e-learning. We learned design practices to use (and those to avoid) in order to maximize the learning outcomes of users. A main focus of this class was to learn Macromedia Authorware software in order to create instructional activities/exercises to enhance student learning. I was able to use Authorware's Knowledge Object Wizard to create multiple choice and matching quizzes to assess student learning from my final project instructional website, "People Who Have Made a Difference". In addition, following the redundancy principle, I made use of a pedagogical agent to provide auditory instruction instead of written text so that students could focus on the images being presented, rather than having their visual channel overloaded by having to divide focus between images and text. The most exciting part was to be able to integrate this into my actual classroom curriculum, using the website to individually assess my students. CECS 410 Computers and NetworksCourse DescriptionGain practical, hands-on experience in installing hardware and software on the PC. Learn what a computer network is and how it is similar to the telephone network. Learn the parts that make up a computer and a network.ReflectionIn this course I learned the components of a PC, as well as how to take apart a PC and put it back together. I learned the basics of binary code and IP addresses. I think the most valuable information gained from this class was not only learning the jargon, but understanding what it all means (more or less). Now I can talk about computers, networks, hardware, and software with more confidence. EDP 595 Qualitative Research MethodsCourse DescriptionComprehensive introduction to theory, nature, and use of qualitative methods in educational settings. Emphasis on application level experiences such as identifying and developing research problems appropriate for qualitative investigation, study design, qualitative/ethnographic data collection techniques, data analysis, data interpretation, and presentation of findings.. AssignmentsPerceptions, Experiences and Challenges of Japanese Female Immigrants Living in Los Angeles ReflectionThis course provided me with an excellent opportunity to spend some time doing qualitative research on a topic other than technology that holds great interest to me: the experience of Japanese people living in the United States. My experiences living and teaching in Japan for four years have had a profound impact on me and have changed my outlook on life and my place in the world. Using techniques learned in this class to conduct interviews with female Japanese immigrants in Los Angeles, I was able to discover their varying motivations for moving here and the positive and negative experiences they've had since arriving. ETEC 530 Educational Technology LeadershipCourse DescriptionProvides leadership theory, knowledge, and skills necessary to use, evaluate, plan, and implement technologies effectively within a school system. Examines administrative issues associated with computers, including security and ethics.AssignmentsPersonal Vision and Mission ReflectionAs my last class in the Educational Technology Program, this class came at the perfect time, the summer before embarking on my new adventure as a technology leader in my school. I gained numerous insights into the essential qualities of good leaders from the assigned readings, Leading with Soul and Leadership and the New Science, as well as from interviews with technology leaders in the field, and from class lectures, discussions, and group presentations. I found writing my own personal vision and mission statement a valuable experience and one that will help keep me focused on my personal and professional goals. I hope to be a passionate and insiring leader who can see the whole picture and who is able to bestow on those I lead the gifts of love, power, authorship, and significance. Most of all, I sincerely hope to use the skills I've learned from this class and from this program to make a difference in the lives of the students and teachers with whom I work on a daily basis. ETEC 695 Seminar in Educational Technology Course DescriptionThis course was a review of all the major components of the Educational Technology program in preparation for the comprehensive examination. It included discussion of all the major themes and issues faced by educational technologists today as well as a review of recent literature in the field.AssignmentsLiterature Review: Web 2.0 Technologies ReflectionThis course was an excellent opportunity to consolidate all of my learning in the field of educational technology during my three years in this program. Having reviewed all the major concepts and discussed recent issues and trends in the field, I feel much better prepared to take on a leadership role and move my school forward in the 21st century!
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