I am proud of the work I was able to produce while pursuing my Master of Arts in Education Degree at Michigan State university. I have gained knowledge and practices that have made me the teacher I am today. Here are some examples of the work I completed along the way. My artifacts are divided into two groups. The first group is work that has either given me new insight into the way I think about teaching and learning or is a practice that I have been able to utilize in my classroom. The second group is a series of technological tools and resources that has enhanced my classroom and beyond.
Classroom Practices and Learning
This slide show presentation displays an intervention I conducted in my classroom to increase student participation in group work activities. Through a series of STEM activities, I tested the influence that group roles had in not only the amount of participation students were having but also student's perception on participation. This artifact demonstrates my ability to analyze group behavior and enhance group effectiveness.
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My research on Vivian Paley's thought on inquiry and the power of paying attention to every conversation being had in the classroom has given me more insight into the power of discussion. In The Girl with the Brown Crayon, Paley describes the influence that one child had on the decision making and motivations that shaped a school year. This artifact has transformed my views on discussions and has provided me with insight on how to allow all voices to be heard in my classroom.
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This essay highlights the importance of preparing students for the demands of the 21st century using Howard Gardner's Truth, Beauty, and Goodness Reframed. The research done here has reshaped my thinking about what is worth knowing and what is worth sharing and also how to teach these skills to my students. This artifact has proven to be a driving force in how I think about planning lessons. The questions raised here are a starting point in thinking about what students need to be succesful.
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