EME 6507 - Multimedia for Education and Training (Summer 2024, R. Hartshorne)

An overview of traditional and emerging audiovisual media for various instructional settings and purposes, including education and communication theory. Developing skills in evaluating, designing, producing, and using media such as text, hypertext, graphics, audio, video, and hypermedia, to enhance communication and instruction.

Culminating Project: Multimedia Project: Mock Website with varied media throughout

RET Site: CoMET (Summer 2019, Drs. J. Cho, D. Turgut, W. H. Lee, R. Abdolvand, J. Gou, M. Lin, D. Dechev, and M. Dagley)

While not a graduate-level course, this cohort-based, intensive, six-week, full-time research opportunity funded by the National Science Foundation was incredibly impactful, and provided at least as much educational and science foundation as a number of graduate-level courses. A broad survey of the technology and specialties involved in developing the “Internet of Things” (IoT), including engineering materials (carbon nanofiber), production techniques (3-d printing), software and coding (java), hardware (raspberry pi), coding (Java), and computer logic (logic gates).

Artifact: RET Site: CoMET Final Report including lessons learned from the intensive experience, applications to teaching, and the conceptual foundation underlying the year-long project that followed, Inspiring Curiosity through Computer Science Challenges: Students Modeling Chemistry using "Scratch" Visual Programming.

Culminating Project: Three-Part Lesson Plan for Coding-based Chemistry modeling activities, with supporting presentations for Atomic Models and Conversion Calculators.

EDF 6727 - Critical Analysis of Social, Ethical, Legal, and Safety Issues Related to Education (Fall 2018, R. Hewitt)

A critical analysis of contemporary educational issues, including ethical, safety, legal, cultural, and linguistic considerations that directly impact schooling in a democracy. Included extensive readings on: the history of education from the time of the settlers on forward, including milestones in attitude and pedagogical approach; racism and segregation in American schools, both formal and informal; the ethical dilemmas of school funding and the effect of sales and marketing strategies targeted towards students; and the complex question of school privatization, school choice, and public education funding.

Artifacts: Pirsig Essay: Learning and Peace of Mind, Kozol Essay: Justifications for de facto segregation in Contemporary US Schools, and Spring Essay: Education as a Power Struggle

TSL 5085 - Teaching Language Minority Students in K-12 Classrooms (Summer 2018, M. Regalla)

This course helped me to developing attitudes, skills, and knowledge enabling me to teach and assess students who are English learners (ELs). Provided an overview of the following areas: applied linguistics in second language teaching; cross-cultural communication and misunderstandings, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) curriculum and materials, methods of teaching English to Speakers of Other Language; and testing and evaluation of ESOL students. Following this course I was able to modify curriculum and offer instruction and evaluation compatible with student language diversity. This course satisfied compliance requirements to the Multicultural Education and Training Advocacy (META), Florida Consent Decree.

Artifacts: Professional Journal Article Review and Service Learning Log with Reflection

Culminating Project: Modified Lesson Plan with Key - Accommodations for English Language Learners

SCE 5836 - Space Science for Educators (Summer 2018, R. Hallett-Njuguna)

This course provided hands-on experiences to promote effective space science education in schools, incorporating both historical aspects of space exploration as well as future plans for both government and private ventures. Using the Florida Science Standards, a wide variety of hands-on, virtual, and literacy-based lessons were used to strengthen content knowledge. Reflection on the integration of technology, engineering, and math, as well as social studies and reading and writing within science lessons.

Artifact: Space Science Lesson Plan (Target: Middle School Audience)

ISC 6146 - Environmental Education for Educators (Summer 2018, T. Freeman)

This course provided experiences and planning opportunities to promote effective science and mathematics education in schools through the study of Florida’s ecosystems and the identification of classroom applications. Emphasis was placed on the process of inquiry education, through which students construct meaning in successive phases and develop scientific habits of mind, and development of student‐centered curricula oriented to the making of knowledge rather than the memorization of facts. Developed understanding of the relationships between human systems and natural systems in Florida’s diverse and changing environment.

Artifacts: Pictorial Journey of Floridas Ecosystems and Analysis of a Movie with an Environmental Theme: WALL-E

Culminating Project: Entire Unit Lesson Plan: Water and Weather (5E Model, Target age Middle School). Co-authors Jessica Pepple, Treshonda Rutledge, and Michelle Burroughs.

LAE 5496 - Disciplinary Literacy in the Content Areas (Spring 2018, F. Huff)

The examination of theory, teaching strategies, and resources for disciplinary literacy in the content areas. Developed content area literacy instructional strategies for responsive and effective middle and secondary programs. Understand the ways in which literacy is fluid. Explore issues in language, contemporary literacies, and culture. Consider a variety of approaches in planning for instruction and assessing student learning, including the incorporation of ESOL strategies.

Artifacts: Textbook Evaluation for Target Audience and Accessibility and Sample Reading and Comprehension Guide, Gas Law Unit

LAE 6946 - Internship II (Spring 2018, D. Toole)

Signature portion of the TMAST Masters-Intern Program. On-the-job Internship as an active classroom teacher, with check-ins and observations by both OCPS and UCF staff, Continued.

Artifact: Final Observation Assessment, Second Semester Teaching

ESE 6256 - Critical Issues in Secondary Education Seminar II (Spring 2018, E. Ortiz)

Examination of critical issues in secondary education including classroom and behavior management, technology, and current issues, Continued.

Culminating Project: Teacher Work Sample

LAE 6946 - Internship I (Fall 2017, M. Curran)

Signature portion of the TMAST Masters-Intern Program. On-the-job Internship as an active classroom teacher, with check-ins and observations by both OCPS and UCF staff.

Artifacts: Professional Development Plan and Final Observation Assessment, First Semester Teaching

ESE 6256 - Critical Issues in Secondary Education Seminar I (Fall 2017, E. Ortiz)

Examination of critical issues in secondary education including classroom and behavior management, technology, and current issues.

Culminating Project: Contemporary Teaching Issue Research Paper: Flipped Classroom

SCE 5337 - Issues and Methods in Secondary School Science (Fall 2017, S. Gao)

Instructional methods and their applications to science curriculum development; current research in science education and the ways in which scientific knowledge is constructed, which close attention to content-specific instruction in chemistry. Heavy emphasis on alignment with state and national standards. Develop and demonstrate skills of critical analysis as they relate to: state and national educational policies impacting secondary science education; various sociocultural issues relating to secondary science education; and an articulation of personal theory of teaching and learning relating to secondary science education.

Artifacts: Inquiry-Based Lesson Plan (co-authored by C. Chinea & E. Zahornacky) and Reflection 

Culminating Project: Full Unit Lesson Plan: Thermochemistry (co-authored by C. Chinea and E. Zahornacky)

ESE 6935 - Introductory Seminar in Secondary Education (Summer 2017, E. Ortiz)

Exploration of the teaching profession in terms of professional organizations, accomplished practices, publications, issues and terminology.

Artifacts: Reflective Article Review 1 and Reflective Article Review 2

EDG 6415 - Principles of Instruction and Classroom Management (Summer 2017, K. Jennings-Towle)

An exploration of instructional, organization and classroom management strategies to create effective learning environments. Focuses included instructional design and lesson planning; Crafting effective learning environments; Instructional delivery and facilitation; and Continuous professional improvement.

Artifacts: “Teacher as Researcher” Literature Review and “Procedures and Routines" Lesson Plan

Culminating Project: Microteach Lesson Plan: The Development of the Atomic Model

EDF 6237, Principles of Learning and Introduction to Assessment (Summer 2017, T. Wenzel)

Principles of learning as applied to classroom teaching situations, with emphasis on behavior, cognition, motivation, and assessment. Included prominent theories in learning, their implications for learning and assessment, and key issues in educational psychology.

Culminating Project: Gas Laws Lesson Plan (Adapted from AACT, Target audience: High School) and Assessment of Student Work