Exploring Design & Assessment Collaboratively
Throughout the Master of Arts in Education Technology (MAET) program, I explored a variety of concepts related to designing learning spaces, assessment in diverse contexts, and collaborated with classmates on tasks, expanding my understanding of creativity. The following projects provide examples of my perspectives and application of theory.
Redesigning Learning Environments
Exploring the Maker Movement
Language Learning with a hands on Approach
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Understanding the influence of learning spaces was a core theme throughout the program. The maker movement and Project Based Learning (PBL) were a focus along with tasks aimed at re-imagining classrooms. I gained valuable understandings related to designing and redesigning physical and online spaces , and was able to consider new approaches to hands-on learning.
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With the Makey Makey kit, I created a prototype of a device that facilitated language learning and assessment in an ESL course. I used household objects, along with fruit, to teach new vocabulary and enable students to test their understandings through touching physical objects that generated responses directly and provided immediate feedback.
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Designing Language Lessons for Online Environments
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In an effort to redesign a language lesson, and place familiar teaching content online, I decided to take advantage of a variety of web-based tools. I integrated video material, a FlipGrid meeting space, and a web-based dictionary, along with interactive documents and linked files to facilitate feedback .
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Redesigning the Classroom
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Understanding the influence of physical space was a subject I explored in depth.I used Sketch Up to redesign my classroom, aiming
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for more open space, communal areas for collaboration, and to maximize natural light. I gained new skills related to using 3D rendering software & the activity provided perspectives on learning environments
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Rethinking Assessment
Assessment with New Tools
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Various types of formative and summative assessments were considered in the MAET program along with plenty of tools. I created a website with three language lessons incorporating assessments using EdPuzzle, Google Docs. The activity provided opportunities to integrate software, while applying theory to lessons. The site was useful for improving student fluency and allowed me to experience a range of new possibilities.
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Integrating Familiar Material with New Platforms
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While exploring various types of tools and learning to re-purpose them for needs in the classroom, I decided to incorporate SoundClound and Padlet into an assessment designed to assist with understanding a news broadcast. This allowed students to evaluate their work as well as that of classmates. The tools provided opportunities for feedback between instructor and group members and allowed me to blend my understandings into the project.
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Creativity & Collaboration
Abstracting, Considering Dimensions,
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In the past, I had limited understandings of what it meant to be creative. Through various readings and multimedia projects, I examined the idea of what it means to be creative and reevaluated the influence of creativity through activities such as abstraction and re-imagining. . Each of the images here link to a different elements in the process and connect the concepts together
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A More Beautiful Question
Collaboration & Balance
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The value of questioning was explored in depth through several essays. I analyzed the contents of various books on the topic of inquiry and connected the material to my lesson plans. I expanded understandings related to my info-diet, and developed a presentation with other classmates that addressed the wicked problem of balancing our connection to technology with our unconnected lives.
How our lives are affected by technology the appropriate use of it was explored collaboratively through my personal needs, and those of students.
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