Welcome to my annotated transcipt page! I am currently pursuing a Masters of Art in Education in Literacy and Special Education from Michigan State University. I expect to graduate in Spring 2015. Below are the previous courses I have taken followed by a short description of knowledge I have gained from each course. Please check out my Showcase page to see examples of my graduate work.
/Katie Thills's Master's of Literacy and Special Education Transcript
Spring 2012
TE 836: Awards and Classics of Children's Literature
Dr. Laura Apol
In TE 836, I became aquainted and gained a thorough understanding of the various awards given in children's literature and how a book becomes a "classic." We looked at various books that won different awards, studied authors who have won major awards, and read and discussed children's books that are considered classics. For this course I analysed a particular classic, Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott, and considered the ways classics of children's literature have been adapted for film as well as comparing historical classics with contemporary award-winning literature. Overall, I had the opportunity to develop a working criteria for evaluating the best literature for children.
Summer 2012
TE 846: Accommodating Differences in Literacy Learners
Jen Knight
In this course I was presented the principles of instruction and remediation in reading and writing. Further, I learned classroom assessment techniques and various adaptations (accommodations/modifications) for reading and writing instruction. As a student I was able to critically evaluate writing materials, curricula, and practices used in literacy instruction. Additionally, I had the opportunity to select, modify, and design literacy materials for a designated student of mine and teach specific techniques to meet the needs of this learner. The writing techniques learned in this course were especially helpful when working with students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Overall, I became more knowledgeable in identifying and discussing advanced practices for teaching literacy.
Fall 2012
CEP 883: Psychology of Classroom Discipline
Dr. Alicia Fedewa
CEP 883 was split into six different modules, each focusing on a specific areas of classroom discipline. First, we looked at models of evidence-based strategies to increase children's intrinsic motivation. We analyzed the classroom climate including teacher, peer, and home-school relationships. I also learned how to create a proactive classroom management system incorporating extrinsic motivation and positive behavior support. At the end of the course I created a final project PowerPoint presentation which encompassed the various classroom management strategies learned thoughout the course and was a reflection of my own analysis of classroom management.
ED 800: Educational Inquiry
Dr. Steven Weiland
This course was designed to be an introductory course for the Masters in Education program. It provided an opportunity to focus on some of the most effective ways to study learning, teaching, administration, and leadership. Throughout the course I completed 6 papers related to the following domains: (1) Philisophical thought, (2) Classroom-based/teacher inquiry, (3) Biography and history focused on learning out of school, (4) Theories of intellgience and the organization of curriculum, (5) Ethnographic and personal reflection on experience in other cultures, and (6) New Communication and information technologies. The last assignment was a paper reflecting on the various forms of educational inquiry.
Summer 2013
Fall 2013
TE 848: Writing Assessment and Instruction
Lisa Hawkins
Within TE 848, I was first able to develop my own identity as a writer. This in turn helped me develop the ability to design and implement strategies for writing across the curriculum, as well as assessing writing in all content areas. Most of all I was able to develop a repertoire of writing-to-learn strategies that can help differentiate writing instruction for diverse learners at various stages of development. Throughout the course I completed three learning community discussions that focused on critiquing educational research. Additionally, I completed a "Genre Exploration Project," therefore creating my own piece of writing which was peer-reviewed by colleagues and allowed me to develop a voice as a scholarly writer. The course concluded with a "Teaching Project," where I created an effective PowerPoint on how to help struggling writers in my school, and presented it to my teaching staff.
CEP 841: Classroom and Behavior Management in the Inclusive Classroom
Dr. Troy Mariage, Mei Shen, Nai-Cheng Kuo, and Alisha Brown
CEP 841 broadened my knowledge of interventions and strategies for classroom management and behavioral interventions and supports in an inclusive environment. Through online discussion-based forums and application activities I was able to advance my learning on the critical features of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA). I was able to apply my knowledge to real-life issues and common behavior hiccups in the classroom. With this knowledge I was able to acquire instructional accommodations to diversify learning therefore meeting the behavior and social needs of various students. To conclude the course I created a presentation for my staff focusing on implementing School-Wide Positive Behavior Supports and Interventions at our school.
CEP 843: Autism Spectrum Disorders: Characteristics and Educational Implications
Laura Flis
The overarching theme of CEP 843 was to provide participants with a broader understanding of the impact of ASD on learning, family, and community across the lifespan. In this course I was able to perform a case study on one of my students with autism and create a transition plan for this student into a general education classroom the following year. Additionally, I read and reviewed three peer-reviewed research articles about a particular aspect of language development and/or interventions for children with an ASD. From these projects I developed a presentation related to "Technology Interventions" for students with an ASD and have used the research from this presentation in my classroom instructional practices with my students with autism. Lastly, during this course I read one of the best books I can recommend on autism, teaching, parenting, etc. titled: Let me Hear Your Voice, A family's triumph over autism.
Summer 2014
CEP 840: Policies, Practices, and Perspectives in Special Education
Dr. Carol Sue Englert
This was an introductory course in special education catering to the state/federal professional responsibilities of teachers and the impact on special education practices on students with special needs. In this course I designed and contributed to a weekly blog on topics related to special education policies and practices. I also created three projects, including an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) on a given student, a webpage showcasing multiple assistive technologies for students with special needs, and a classroom website of resources for specific topics and disabilities. For the classroom website, I designed several pages based on knowledge I had gained from previous Master's coursework including topics related to struggling writers, English Language Learners, PBIS, and an annotated transcipt/resume. It was a meaningful project that I was able to incorporate with my current school website.
Fall 2014
ED 870: Capstone Seminar
Dr. Matthew Koehler, Spencer Greenhalgh, Brittany Dillman, and Sarah Keenan
I am currently in the process of taking this seminar course which occurs after 80% of your Master's coursework is completed. At this time I am completing weekly modules in a step by step process of designing my own website teaching portfolio. Each week I provide feedback to other classmates on their portfolio pages as well as receive suggestions on how to improve my own. I am truly enjoying designing my portfolio and feel this is a piece of work that I can use for years to come!
Spring 2015
CEP 817: Learning Technology Through Design
Dr. Punya Mishra
In this course I expect to learn the designs of various educational tools and programs. I will receive human computer interaction and learn how to design technology for learners. Multiple forms of design will be analyzed including the art and aesthetics of design and iterative design. Further, I will collaborate with others when learning how to design incorporating technology.