In my heart, and in everything I do, I am a teacher. I’ve tutored, trained and taught young adults, senior citizens, and all sorts in between. I have a knack for guiding learning and discovery. Those who know me know that they can always ask me for help and, no matter how “silly” they may think their question, I’ll never laugh.

• I’m an optimist with an aptitude for technology
• Learning how to be an effective teacher (in my post-graduate teacher training) made me want to improve undergraduate education
• I believe that educational technologies can be leveraged in postsecondary environments to
– augment the pedagogical value of classroom learning
– build teaching & learning communities
– increase efficiency of instructional staff
– support increased student participation & choice

I want to participate in the adaptation and implementation of learning technologies in whatever way I can in my current administrative role and beyond. To do this, I need to build as much familiarity with these technologies as possible during my time in ETEC 565a and the MET Program. Thus far, I have worked with a variety of tools including concept mapping software (VUE and CMaps), Learning Management Software (Moodle), blogging software (WordPress), synchronous and asynchronous communication applications (Skype, Google Docs, voicethread, Stixy, and Wimba), wikis, and online presentation software (Prezi). I’m excited to learn more about Moodle in this course, and hoping that I have the opportunity to add a few more new tools to my kit before the term is over. I would specifically like to gain better insight into social media applications and the role they might best fill in enhancing the undergraduate teaching and learning experience. Based on my experiences with new technologies thus far, I think that the best way for me to gain this knowledge is to use social media applications, so I’m really looking forward to the Story component of this e-portfolio.

Below I’ve included a list of resources related to teaching & learning, postsecondary education, and educational technologies. I’ve selected those that have stood out for me so far. I hope that having them listed here will help me to stay on my path and remember what has moved me; but I also hope that you find something new here, and that perhaps it will move you. And in the spirit of collaborative learning, I do hope that you leave a comment with your feedback, or with a link to a resource that I might want to add to my list!

Thanks for stopping by,
Kathy

Resources

Anderson, T. (2008). Towards a Theory of Online Learning.  In: T. Anderson & F. Elloumi (Eds.), Theory and Practice of Online Learning. Edmonton AB: Athabasca University. Accessed online 12 Sept 2012 http://www.aupress.ca/books/120146/ebook/02_Anderson_2008-Theory_and_Practice_of_Online_Learning.pdf

Chickering, A.W. & Ehrmann, S.C. (1996). Implementing the Seven Principles: Technology as Lever. American Association for Higher Education Bulletin, 49(2), 3-6. Accessed online 09 Sept 2012
 http://www.aahea.org/articles/sevenprinciples.htm

Chickering, A.W. & Gamson, Z.F. (1987). Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education. American Association for Higher Education Bulletin, 39(7), 3-7. Accessed online 09 Sept 2012 
http://www.aahea.org/articles/sevenprinciples1987.htm

Dall’Alba, G. & Barnacle, R. (2005). Embodied knowing in online environments. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 37(5), 719-744.

Mazur, E. 2011. Memorization or understanding: Are we teaching the right thing? . Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn1DLFnbGOo