Instructional Technology News

Transcription

1 Instructional Technology News Towson University Volume 10. Issue 7 Fall 2014 ISTC Welcome By Dr. Liyan Song, Master s Program Director Greetings from the ISTC graduate program directors! We hope everyone is having a great semester. There are many exciting events taking place within our community: awards, new jobs, promotions, etc. Our programs continue to be successful in providing our students with authentic and meaningful learning experiences. Our students and faculty have received awards and recognitions for their excellent work and scholarship. Please make sure to check out the Announcements pages for more on this exciting news. In this issue of the newsletter, we have also included some important updates regarding the graduate programs. Here are a few highlights about those changes: New deadlines for finishing dissertation work New Graduate Assistants Permission now required for some courses Continuous enrollment policy Capstone and HRD course permission information Please don t forget to check out the announcements for faculty and student awards and promotions! Other exciting information found in this edition include tips for a successful semester from professors, successful comprehensive exams and dissertation proposals, and course schedules for Spring 2015 and Summer As always, please keep us informed of your exciting news and accomplishments and know that we are always open to your questions and comments about the programs. Bill Sadera, Doctoral Program Director David Robinson, Master s Program Director School Library Media Liyan Song, Master s Program Director Open Lab Hours for COE Students: Have you been looking for a lab where you can complete research or assignments, but having trouble finding the perfect spot on campus? Look no further, come to the Ed Tech Lab in Hawkins Hall! Come get access to computers, printers and a place to study. Where: Hawkins Hall, Room 210 When: Monday-Thursday 8am- 9pm, Friday 8am-4pm For more information contact the Ed Teach lab at FALL ISSUE CONTENTS Book Publications/University Dates... SLM News.. Master s Graduates.. Deadlines for Thesis/Dissertation Work Upcoming Conferences Announcements/FYI. Professor Advice Comprehensive Exam Defenses. pg. 2 pg. 3 pg. 4 pg. 4 pg. 5 pg. 6-7 pg.8 pg.8 Doctoral Proposals... pg.8 Scholarship... Spring & Summer Course Offerings.. The Writing Center... Faculty and Staff Information.. pg. 9 pg Pg. 11 pg. 12 1

2 Dr. Qing Li published a new book! Dr. Qing Li s new book is called Learning Through Digital Game Design and Building in a Participatory Culture : An Enactivist Approach. It was published by Peter Lang. This book discusses topics concerning digital game-based learning focusing on learning-by-game-building and Web 2.0. Grounded in the new theoretical perspective of enactivism, this book shows how such an approach can help students gain deep understanding of subjects such as mathematics and history, as well as undergraduate or graduate students learning of pedagogy and also adult driver s learning of road safety rules. Written for undergraduate students in teacher education, experienced teachers, and graduate students, this book is an ideal text for courses related to technology integration and digital game-based learning. It is also beneficial for researchers, educators, parents, school administrators, game designers, and anyone who is interested in new ways of learning and digital games. IMPORTANT UNIVERSITY DATES October 22 November 26- November 30 December 1 December 10 December 11 December 17 December 18 January 5-23 Change of Schedule period ends for 2nd 7 week courses Thanksgiving Holiday (NO CLASSES) Classes resume Last day of classes Final examinations begin Last day of examinations and end of term Commencement ceremony Minimester Dr. Barbara Blummer & Dr. Jeff Kenton published a new book! Dr. Barbara Blummer and Dr. Jeffrey Kenton new book is called Improving Student Information Search. It was published by Chandos Publishing. This book traces the impact of a tutorial on education graduate students' problemsolving in online research databases. The tutorial centers on idea tactics developed by Bates that represent metacognitive strategies designed to improve information search outcomes. The first half of the book explores the role of metacognition in problem-solving, especially for education graduate students. It also discusses the use of metacognitive scaffolds for improving students' problem-solving. The second half of the book presents the mixed method study, including the development of the tutorial, its impact on seven graduate students' search behavior and outcomes, and suggestions for adapting the tutorial for other users. January 26 February 3 March March 23 May 12 May 13 May 19 May 21 Spring classes begin Change of Schedule period begins Change of Schedule period ends Spring Break Classes resume Last day of classes Final examinations begin Last day of examinations and end of semester Commencement ceremony Instructional Technology Community on Blackboard Please make sure to visit the ISTC Community on Blackboard ( for up-to-date news about Instructional Technology, employment opportunities, important events scholarship opportunities, conferences, and electronic copies of program forms. If you don t find Instructional Technology Community on blackboard, contact your program director. 2

3 SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA NEWS School Library Media Digital Portfolio The purpose of this digital assessment is to have candidates reflect on the artifacts in the Digital Portfolio in order to evaluate whether they have, through their coursework, met the standards of our professional organization and to glean information about how candidates plan to apply what they have learned in the School Library Media Program. The portfolio is formally introduced to candidates in ISTC 653, the Organization of Knowledge. Web design skills necessary in completing the portfolio are introduced in ISTC 541, Foundations of Instructional Technology. To provide guidance to students in completing the portfolio, an online component of the Practicum Experience, ISTC 789, is dedicated to largely completing the school library media digital portfolio. Components of this online experience include: 1. Online discussion of each AASL standard and the relationship of each standard to the school library media program and experiences as school library media specialists, teachers or other school based positions. 2. Following the discussion of each standard, candidates write (or refine a statement already begun) a reflection statement based on that standard. The instructor will then provide feedback on the reflection. 3. This process will occur over the course of a designated practicum. The most important planning consideration for portfolio is to archive electronic copies of your key assessments from the school library media program. Candidates should also consider keeping copies of any outstanding artifacts (lesson plans, instructional materials, etc.) used in the course of daily teaching experiences that relate to the AASL standards. If you have any questions regarding the portfolio, please David Robinson at: derobins@towson.edu. The portfolio assessment documents and related materials can be found accessed via: Referral for a Rewarding Career If you know someone who would enjoy the rewards and challenges of being a School Library Media Specialist, encourage them to contact David Robinson ( or derobins@towson.edu). School Library Media Candidates Completing the Practicum and/or Portfolio in the Fall 2014 Roxanne Anderson Rachel Jackson Allison McLauglin Gina Sabo Elizabeth Stamas Donna Werner 3

4 MASTER S PROGRAM GRADUATES: Terri Beard Terri Brosey Kelly Celmer Michelle Classon Kimberly Cohen Kimburly Crum-Derr Weston Fellows Adam Friend Amanda Frushour Educational Technology Sarah Kreiner Alyssa Lindsey Alisha Maalouf Jessica McGiven Helen Meronek Kristen Towine-Ridgley Stefanie Trentacoste Kimberly Wheeler Tara Wrightson School Library Media Susan Clouse Pamela Gainous Christine Hoffman Erin Moyer Tracy Richter Stephanie Seale Laura Donhauser-Wymer Instructional Design and Development Emily Briggs Sarah Elizabeth Clark Evelyne Kopp Billie Kay Lynch STUDENTS: WRITING YOUR THESIS OR DISSERTATION THIS YEAR? Be sure to review the new deadlines for finishing your thesis/dissertation work. New guidelines are on Instructional Technology Doctoral Program Community Blackboard under Doctoral Forms. 4

5 UPCOMING INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCES Below is a list of the upcoming conferences of which we are aware. We apologize if a conference that you are looking for is not listed. If you know of other conferences that are not included, please feel free to post them on Blackboard. American Educational Research Association (AERA) When: April 16 20, 2015 Where: Chicago, Illinois Proposal Deadline: Closed International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference When: June 28 July 1, 2015 Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Proposal Deadline: October 1, 2014 Association for Educational Communications & Technology (AECT) When: November 4-8, 2014 Where: Jacksonville, Florida Eastern Educational Research Association (EERA) Conference When: February 25-28, 2015 Where: Sarasota, Florida Proposal Deadline: November 12,2014 E-Learn Conference When: October 20-23, 2015 Where: Kona, Hawaii Proposal Deadline: TBA Maryland Society for Educational Technology (MSET) Conference When: April 30- May 1, 2015 Where: Ocean City, Maryland Proposal Deadline: December 1,2014 Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education (SITE) Conference When: March 2-6, 2015 Where: Las Vegas, Nevada Proposal Deadline: October 23,2014 International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) Conference When: 2015 (exact data TBA) Where: Netherlands World Conference on Educational Media, Hypermedia, & Telecommunications (ED- MEDIA) When: June 22-25, 2015 Where: Montreal, Canada Proposal Deadline: December 12, 2014 Opportunity to Present If you are interested in presenting at a conference, the Graduate Student Association (GSA) allots a portion of the GSA budget to be used specifically for funding student research and professional development. This includes but is not limited to presentations of a paper or project, research and original work, and attendance at a conference. The grant award for presenting is often in the amount of $500, and smaller amounts may be awarded for attending a conference, research, and original work. The ISTC department may also have resources available to support your work. Please contact your program director for more information. If you are interested in taking advantage of the GSA opportunity or for more information about the GSA Award and application process, please visit 5

6 ANNOUNCEMENTS: Alexandra Greenwood: Alumni Association Graduate Fellowship The purpose of the Graduate Fellowship is to recognize and reward graduate students who demonstrate the highest levels of academic and personal achievement and have the potential to become active alumni who will support Towson University and contribute to their communities. Amy Martin: Administrator of the Year Award Amy Martin received Howard Community College s Administrator of the Year Award. Cora Roush: Terminal Degree Fellowship The purpose of the Terminal Degree Fellowship is to award students with academic merit and depth of professional experience. Dean Whitfield: Promotion Dean Whitfield has been promoted to Director of Technology for the Jemicy School. Dr. Mila Thomas Fuller: Content Leader Dr. Mila Thomas Fuller, served as a ASAE 2015 Conference content leader and led a session titled, The Move to a Smaller, Competency-based Board along with ISTE CEO, Brian Lewis, ISTE Chair, Kecia Ray, Ed. D., and the Executive Director of CUE (ISTE's California Affiliate), Mike Lawrence. Dr. Mila Fuller: New Board Positions Dr. Mila Fuller was elected Treasurer for International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Board of Directors, the Vice Chair for the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation and the Technology Task Force Chair for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Emily Ziegler: New Position Emily Ziegler has begun a new position as the director of technology at the St. Paul s School for Girls. Marie Heath: Alumni Association Graduate Fellowship The purpose of the Graduate Fellowship is to recognize and reward graduate students who demonstrate the highest levels of academic and personal achievement and have the potential to become active alumni who will support Towson University and contribute to their communities. Retirements Professor Celestine Cheeks, Professor Sharon Pitcher and Administrative Assistant, Diane Lanahan retired. Stefani Pautz: Scholarship Burton, Dietz, Jones & Rosencrans Instructional Technology Graduate Scholarship 6

7 ANNOUNCEMENTS CONTINUED: Stefani Pautz: Scholarship The Louise Lippy McMahan Memorial Scholarship. Tamara Burton: Scholarship Tamara Burton received the Marilyn L. Nicholas/Kappa Delta Pi Professional Development Scholarship FYI: Two New Graduate Assistants Sarah Breslaw Sarah Breslaw is the new graduate assistant for the ISTC master s program. Sarah took over for Tracy who graduated last spring. Sarah is a first year student in the ISTC- School Library Media program at Towson University. In 2010, Sarah earned her B.A. in Political Science, with minors in Public Administration and International Affairs from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Since graduating Sarah has worked at CollegeTracks, Captiol College and Towson University, and enjoys working with students of all ages. Sarah also enjoys reading, DIY projects, traveling, cooking and spending time with friends and family. She is looking forward to meeting and working with the master s students and faculty. Sarah can be found in HH 211 and can be reached at sbresl3@students.towson.edu. Jenn Matlack Jenn Matlack is the new graduate assistant for the ISTC doctoral program. Jenn took over for Alessa, who has continued on to her internship year in her master s program. Jenn is a first year student in the School Psychology Master s program at TU. In Spring 2014, Jenn earned her B.S. in Human Services with minors in Psychology and Disabilities Studies from University of Delaware. Go Blue Hens! Jenn enjoys cooking, running, binging on Netflix and spending time with friends and family. She is looking forward to meeting and working with the doctoral students and faculty. Jenn can be found in HH 222 and can be reached at jmatla1@students.towson.edu. Permission Now Required for Some Courses Due to increased enrollment and program growth, some core ISTC courses may require permission to enroll. If you are experiencing issues enrolling in an ISTC course, please contact your program advisor to request permission to enroll in the course. Enrollment will become open to all students a few weeks before the course begins. Students are reminded that to guarantee a seat in a course they should register as early as possible. Also, doctoral students are urged to enroll in core courses for the semester in which they are first offered during your program of study as these courses are only offered every few semesters. Notice: Continuous Enrollment Policy The following policy is currently in effect. As stated in the Graduate Catalog, Towson University expects post-bachelor s students to register for courses on a regular basis (Graduate Catalog , p. 13). In accordance with this policy, the Instructional Technology graduate programs will require students to maintain continuous enrollment status. All students will be expected to enroll in at least one credit for each spring and fall semester until graduation. If clarification is needed or there are concerns about this policy, please contact your program director. ISTC on Social Media Find ISTC on LinkedIn: Like ISTC on Facebook: 7

8 Tips for a Successful Semester from Professors! Dr. Song: Time-Management: Keep a calendar for assignment due dates Dr. Li: Talk to your colleagues/ classmates, and share information. Dr. Lohnes Watulak: Don t wander your way through your program; have a plan. If you need help coming up with a plan, talk to your advisor. Be proactive. Professor Obenshain: The Writing Center can help with any level of writing, from novice to professional. Professor Brown: Make real world applications of projects and materials from class. GOOD NEWS FROM THE DOCTORAL PROGRAM Successful Comprehensive Exam Defense! Congratulations to doctoral students, Stefani Pautz, Emily Ziegler, Amy Martin, and LaTonya Dyer for successfully defending their comprehensive exams! Stephani, Emily, Amy and LaTonya are now admitted to candidacy and are ready to begin work on their dissertation proposals. Successful Dissertation Proposals! Congratulations to doctoral students, Stefani Pautz, Dean Whitfield and Cora Roush for successfully proposing their dissertations! Stefani, Dean and Cora will now begin their research, collecting their data and writing their dissertations. 8

9 RECENT SCHOLARSHIP: Berquist, E. Ralabate, P. & Sadera, W. Universal design for learning: Supporting all teachers to support all learners. Manuscript submitted for publication. Berquist, L. & Sadera, W. (2014). A mixed methods study about teachers conceptions of universal designs for learning. Manuscript submitted for publication. Blummer,B.(2014, July/August). Reducing patron information overload in academic libraries. Informed Librarian Online. Retrieved from Elmendorf, D. (2014, July 23). Fun for a change. Ed Tech Review. Retrieved from: trends-insights/insights/1369-fun-for-a-change-insights-by-an-elementary-principal Elmendorf, D. (2014, October 7). One-to-one on day one: First day of a 1:1 device environment for elementary kids. Ed Tech Review. Retrieved from: insights/1577-one-to-one-learning-in-elementary-classrooms Elmendorf, D. & Song, L. (Accepted). Developing indicators for a classroom observation tool on pedagogy and technology integration: A Delphi study. Computers in Schools. dio: / Frazier, L. C., & Sadera, W. (2013). Distance education in teacher preparation programs: A national study. International Journal of Technology in Teaching and Learning,9(2), Gould, K., Sadera, W. & McNary, S.(2014). Comparing changes in content knowledge between online problem based learning and traditional instruction in undergraduate health professional students. Manuscript submitted for publication. Li, Q., Wang, Z., & Pustaka, A. (in press). Mobile technology and cyberbullying. In Z. Yan (ed.), Encyclopedia of Mobile Behaviors. IGI Global, Hershey, PA. Liu, X. & Li, Q. (in press). Digital mobile games in education. In Z. Yan (ed.), Encyclopedia of Mobile Behaviors. IGI Global, Hershey, PA. Lohnes Watulak, S. (2015). Redefining literacy in a networked world. In N. Rankie Shelton & B. Altwerger (Eds.), Literacy policies and practices in conflict: Reclaiming classrooms in networked times. New York, NY: Routledge. Lohnes Watulak, S., Laster, B. P., & Liu, X. (2015). The new digital divide: Challenges and opportunities for using technology to develop 21st century literacies in urban schools. In N. Rankie Shelton & B. Altwerger (Eds.), Literacy policies and practices in conflict: Reclaiming classrooms in networked times. New York, NY: Routledge. McNary SW. (2014, July). Research methods: A brief survey of methods and ideas. Invited address for the American Psychological Association Minority Fellowship Psychology Summer Institute, Washington, DC. Pitcher, S., Albright, L. & McNary, S. (in press). The Adolescent Motivation to Read Survey: An Easy to Use Instrument for Secondary Teachers. Reading Psychology. Robinson, D. & Wizer, D. (2014, June). Universal design for learning strategies for transforming face to face courses to hybrid to fully-online courses. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Lilly International Conference on College and University Teaching and Learning, Bethesda, Maryland. Song, L.(2014, November). Instructors perspectives on online assessment practices: A qualitative investigation. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology, Jacksonville, Florida. 9

10 UPCOMING COURSE OFFERINGS Please note that the course schedule is subject to change and students should refer to the online schedule of classes for the most current information. Spring 2015 Class Schedule: Class Title Day Time Room Instructor EDUC Research and Information Technology T 4:20-6:50 HH 209 Shargel EDUC Research and Information Technology W 4:20-6:50 HH 219 Shargel EDUC Moral Questions in the Classroom Th 4:20-6:50 HH 113 Shargel EDUC Statistical Principles of Research Design and Analysis Th 5:30-8:00 HH 206 McNary EDUC Research in Education W 7:00-9:40 HH 207 Caples ISTC Foundations of Instructional Technology W 4:20-6:50 HH 209 Li ISTC School Library Media Administration W 4:20-6:50 HH 207 Bailey ISTC Organization of Knowledge T 4:20-6:50 HH 207 Luther ISTC Multimedia Design T 4:20-6:50 HH 219 Lohnes-Watulak ISTC Instructional Design & Development TBA TBA Online Lohnes-Watulak ISTC Special Topics: Digital Game-Based Learning M 5:30-8:00 HH 206 Li ISTC Research in Instructional Technology W 7:00-9:40 HH 207 Caples ISTC Assessment in Instructional Technology T 4:20-6:50 HH 206 Li ISTC Educational Leadership and Technology Th 5:30-8:00 HH 207 Caples ISTC Instructional Technology-Capstone Th 7:00-9:40 HH 209 Song Attention Master s Students! Students in the Educational Technology and Instructional Design and Development tracks who are planning to take the ITSC 787 Capstone course must contact Dr. Song (lsong@towson.edu). Please note that this course should only be taken during the final semester of your program of study. Students who need the ISTC 789 Library Media Practicum course must contact Dr. Robinson(derobins@towson.edu). Students in the Instructional Design and Development track who are planning to take a Human Resources (HRD) course must contact Dr. Song (lsong@towson.edu) to gain permission to enroll in the course. ISTC students will not be able to enroll in HRD courses unless they notify Dr. Song. 10

11 UPCOMING COURSE OFFERINGS CONTINUED Please note that the course schedule is subject to change and students should refer to the online schedule of classes for the most current information. Summer 2015 Class Schedule: Class Title Day Time Room Instructor ISTC Foundations of Instructional Technology TBA TBA Online Robinson ISTC Applied Psychology of Learning T 4:20-6:50 HH 219 Brown ISTC Instructional Design & Development TBA TBA Online Lohnes-Watulak ISTC Educational Leadership & Technology TBA TBA Online Stiles ISTC Distance Education in Theory and Practice TBA TBA Online Song ISTC Advanced Theory & Instructional Design TBA TBA Online Song Take Advantage of The Writing Center! The Writing Center provides writing support to undergraduates, graduates, faculty, and staff during any stage of the writing process. Writing assistants are undergraduate and graduate students from a variety of disciplines who have been recommended by faculty. They help students with many different types of writing projects-powerpoints, lab reports, resumes, personal statements, theses, dissertations and more! Tips to remember: Bring two hard copies of your paper and assignment sheet/ guidelines. Appointments are scheduled for 30 minutes or an hour. Source: Don t wait till last minute! Schedule appointments weeks before your assignment is due. Writing assistants can get through pages per week. Start meetings during the writing stage Writing assistants are constructive readers who provide feedback, not editors. If you have special needs or want to set up weekly appointments with the same tutor, you should contact the Writing Center Director at wrobertson@towson.edu. Schedule an appointment today (and in advanced)! Call or stop by the Liberal Arts Building Room Fall 2014 Hours Writing Center (LA 5330) Mondays - Thursdays: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Fridays: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Cook Library Writing Desk Mondays - Thursdays: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Sundays: 2 p.m. - 9 p.m. Additional Writing Support: Online Writing Support for grammar help includes: parts of speech, sentence structure, punctuation, usage, plagiarism information, self-teaching units with exercises and a grammar hotline! Visit their website: 11

12 INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY GRADUATE FACULTY & STAFF INFORMATION MAIN OFFICE MAIN OFFICE FAX HH 216 DR. DAVID WIZER, Chairperson HH 216A MRS. RUTH HIPKINS, Administrative Assistant HH 216 MR. ANDREW ALLEN, IT Specialist HH 206A DR. GAIL BAILEY, Visiting Assistant Professor HH 107P MS. BONNIE MARAS BROWN, Lecturer HH 102G MS. ANITRA BUTLER, Lecturer HH 102K Dr. ROBERT CAPLES, Visiting Assistant Professor HH 107P MS. DEBORAH FULLER, Director, Education Technology Center HH 210D MS. WENDY GIBSON, Education Innovation Lab HH 107J DR. JEFF KENTON, Assistant Dean HH 304 DR. BARBARA LASTER, Professor HH 107H DR. QING LI, Professor HH 404C DR. MEGHAN LIEBFREUND, Assistant Professor HH 107D DR. SARAH LOHNES WATULAK, Associate Professor HH 221 DR. FRAN LUTHER, Assistant Professor HH 315 DR. GILDA MARTINEZ-ALBA, Associate Professor HH 102E DR. SCOT MCNARY, Associate Professor HH 102F DR. STEPHEN MOGGE, Director, Graduate Reading Program HH 102P MRS. SUZANNE OBENSHAIN, Lecturer HH 211 MS ROSEMARY PINA-LEONARD, Lecturer HH 405C DR. DAVID ROBINSON, Director, School Library Media Program HH 204A DR. WILLIAM SADERA, Associate Professor, ISTC Doctoral Program Director HH 222 DR. REBECCA SHARGEL, Assistant Professor HH 413F MR. DUANE SMITH, IT Manager HH 210A DR. LIYAN SONG, Associate Professor, ISTC Master s Program Director HH 102D MS. LISA TWISS, Lecturer HH 203 MS. CHERYL WOOD, Lecturer HH 211 GRADUATE ASSISTANTS Jenn Matlack, Doctoral Program HH 222 x2731 jmatla1@students. towson.edu Sarah Breslaw, Master s Program HH sbresl3@students.towson.edu 12