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Best Works
This page is a showcase of my best works. These are the works that integrate multiple proficiencies that demonstrate my ability to transfer current knowledge and instructional design into digital formats using Web 2.0 tools. In addition, these artifacts display the skills that will provide me the ability to reach multiple learning styles and establish a learning environment that engages students in 21st century learning experiences.
Massively Open
Self published book using CreateSpace
This book was created in ten weeks as a collaborative class project. My six peers and I, with guidance from our instructor, created this book from the beginning to end researching and writing about Massively Open Online Courses or MOOCs. Many of us, including myself, began the course not knowing what MOOCs were. Instead of us learning about MOOCs through other’s writings, we created a product as we conducted research about MOOCs along the way, intending it for others to learn from. We were each assigned a chapter that either covered a pro or con topic about MOOCs. In addition, we helped co-authored two other chapters in order to support our peers throughout the process. All writings were created in Google Docs allowing us to update our chapters at any time and review what others had written.
Like the synthesis of the research into the writing for the book, the editing process was a shared and collaborative process. We each had specific roles in the finishing of the book, from designing the cover to the actual publishing. The book was self-published using CreateSpace, offered by Amazon for print on demand publishing service. Through this process I gained not only a rich understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of MOOCs, I also learned how effective the collaborative process is for supporting learning and that online interactions can facilitate this collaborative learning.
Fair Use Video
This video was created for specific assignment as a part of a five week unit on the Sun-Earth-Moon System. It follows the Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Online Videos. As educators it is important that we model ethical and legal use of online material and tools. The process of creating this video challenged me to evaluate each resource and how I used it in order to maintain inside the rights given to me under the Fair Use Doctrine. This experience led to a rich understanding of copyright and fair use that can be applied when selecting online materials for the classroom.
In addition to developing a full understanding of copyright and fair use, I also had to opportunity to use a variety of Web 2.0 tools. Video clips were selected from Youtube, while images came from Flicker’s creative commons resources. In order to capture my computer screen and add audio I used Jing. Microsoft’s Movie Maker and Camtasia were used to edit and publish my video online.
Living Systems Learning Module
Created using Udutu
This online module was created using Udutu. It is a five lesson unit on living cells targeting 5th grade students. The five lessons were developed using the Doolittle instructional design model. While developing the unit, careful attention was given to how the unit would be used in a face-to-face elementary classroom in which students would use iPads to work through the lessons. One of the goals of the unit was to engage students in lessons that targeted multiple learning styles using videos, images, and online simulations. Another goal was to provide challenging assignments that required students to use critical thinking and problem solving skills, while providing differentiation to ensure student interest and success.
Designing a unit of study using the instructional design process for the first time showed me how detailed each lesson needs to be for effective student learning. The process of creating this artifact was one of the most challenging but the end product and what I gained from it is very rewarding. Through this process, I have a better understanding of how to organize information in order to create lessons that present information at the right time and in the right way to make them interesting and relevant for my students.
Click on the image to veiw the full learning module