Autobiography

Educational background

I received my undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Georgia.  I am currently finishing my Master's degree from the University of Georgia in the area of Instructional Design and Development.  In addition, I am also receiving certification as a Media Specialist in the same department.

Work Experience

I have taught for five years in an elementary setting.  The first three years I taught third grade at Gwin Oaks Elementary School in Gwinnett County in Georgia.  The next two years I taught fourth grade at Bethlehem Elementary School in Barrow County.  While teaching at Bethlehem, I also served as the grade chair as part of the leadership team.  As grade chair, I had new teachers on my grade-level that I helped to adjust to the demands of being a teacher.  In addition, I've also lead several formal staff developments on topics such as: UnitedStreaming and technology integration.

Each year that I've taught I've had a cluster of Resource students who have an IEP (Individualized Education Plan).  These students have had a range of diagnoses from learning disabilities, to attention deficit with and without hyperactivity, to behavior disorders such as the defiance disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder.  This last year is the first year that we have used the inclusion model with these students.  I have seen many success for these students who seem to enjoy and benefit from staying in their regular education classroom.

My Goals and objectives

As a classroom teacher, I knew that I enjoyed teaching. However, I knew that my long-term professional goals were not to stay in the classroom.  I had always enjoyed learning and wanted to explore some strengths that had not been utilized to their potential.  I applied to the Instructional Design and Development program, was admitted, and began my program with the ultimate goal of learning how to use technology tools to make instructional materials that could impact learners in a positive way.

During my program, I have had four primary objectives:

  1. Learn the fundamentals of instructional technology to refine and broaden my skills as a teacher
  2. Learn how to build and manage websites in order to better integrate technology in my classroom
  3. Learn how to develop educational learning solutions using a variety of technology tools
  4. Learn the fundamental skillsets required to be a teacher leader

Unique Characteristics

As a graduate student in the Department of Instructional Technology, I chose a unique path.  Besides learning the skillsets necessary to be an Instructional Designer, I also learned the skillsets required to be a Media Specialist.  As sister programs, they have many qualities that are similar.  However, there are many skills that are unique to each of the programs. Since I had short-term and long-term professional goals that align with both of these paths, I merged the two paths to create my unique path for my graduate program.  Most of the semesters, I took an IDD class and a SLM class in order to fulfill the requirements for my program of study.

How I met my goals and objectives

I took classes in both the IDD and the SLM program that helped me to meet my goals and objectives.

There are several classes that helped me to understand the fundamentals of instructional technology.  In EDIT 6170, I learned about the aspects of instructional design that make it effective and applied what I learned in order to develop a class for teachers.  In EDIT 6100, I learned about the field of instructional technology and created a logo that was my visual representation of the field of IT.  In EDIT 6900, I conducted research and synthesized the research whose conclusions proved that quality online tutorials help students to be successful in the writing process.  In EDIT 6210, I used all that I had learned about the field of instructional technology in order to fulfill the role of project manager and to develop a tutorial that would help students in EDIT 6320 to better understand the I-Search process.

There are several classes whose projects helped me to accomplish my goals of learning to design and develop.  In EDIT 6190, I learned how to use Dreamweaver in order to make a website.  This website was the first one where I used design principles in order to make an aesthetically pleasing website.  In EDIT 6200, I used the ADDIE steps in order to create a learning tutorial that would help students to go through the writing process.  In EDIT 6190 for the second time, I learned how to use CSS to manipulate the content on a webpage.  In EDIT 6210, I acted as project manager and was an active part in designing a tutorial that would help students in EDIT 6320 to understand the I-Search process better.

There are several classes that I took that gave me the four skillsets required in order to be a media specialist.  I learned how a media specialist functions as a program administrator by writing the Program Development and Evaluation Plan in EDIT 6300 and by writing a Selection Policy and creating an order in EDIT 6340.  I learned how a media specialist functions as an information specialist by learning about the new research process called the I-Search in EDIT 6360.  I learned how a media specialist acts as an instructional partner by collaborating with a group of 3rd grade teachers and creating a curricuculum map in EDIT 6320.  Lastly, I learned how a media specialist acts as an instructional leader by spending time during my internship in two different school settings to fulfill the requirements of EDIT 7460.

professional objectives and how I met them

When I started the program, I had several professional objectives.  I wanted to learn how to design and develop educational materials using a variety of technology tools so that I could work as a consultant or in an e-learning company.  I also wanted to learn the skillsets necessary in order to be able to be a Media Specialist in a school setting.

By taking classes in both the IDD and SLM track, I feel well-prepared in order to be an Instructional Designer or a Media Specialist.  Most likely, the Media Specialist job will be my short-term objective that is fulfilled.  However, I firmly believe that opportunities can present themselves at any time.  Whatever opportunity may arise in either of these fields, I feel that my knowledge base would help me to be successful.  I know that with my many skillsets, I will be able to fulfill the purpose that I am meant for.

IDD Vision and philosophy

The Gestalt principle says, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts," and the same can be said about the field of Instructional Technology.  There are many parts that make up the field of IT.  Each part can function on its own.  However, when combined with all of the other parts and when unified with one common goal, the unique field of Instructional Technology is the result.

A critical area to watch in this field is the quality of the instruction that is being designed.  Instruction in itself does not equal quality.  The field of Instructional Technology needs to stay focused on this idea. When the focus is on technology, the product will be flawed.  On the other hand, when the focus is on quality instruction and incorporates the technology, then quality learning products can be made.

SLM Vision & Philosophy

The mission of the media center is to support the school's curriculum, assist members of the learning community in becoming effective users of information, and to foster the love of reading.

My vision of the media center is a place where diverse groups of learners can always be found.  Despite the differences of these learners, they are united by two key goals: the pursuit of information and the quest for good books.  The media specialist's role is to assist these patrons in accomplishing their goals while also collaborating with the teachers in order to meet the needs of the learners.

My philosophy of education is that the key to students' success is for them to develop a passion for reading and for learning. When students lack this passion, they are not motivated to learn and are not successful in school.  I feel that the ultimate goal of any school should be to instill this passion for reading and learning in their students ir order to set them up for success.

Since the media center is the center for various media used for learning, it should be ultimately aiming to instill the students with a passion for reading and learning.  This philosophy should be apparent to anyone who enters its doors.  There should be an inviting atmostphere that encourages all patrons, from students and their parents to teachers, to come and visit frequently.