RESEARCH
I am a Lifelong Learner. I enjoy learning about new pedagogy, assessments, online methodology, and student security. I am currently working on my knowledge base by studying AI, gamification, ungrading, competency-based grading, EID work, and engagement within face-to-face and online environments. This research is currently feeding new knowledge into my courses and classroom. I teach these concepts broadly to help my students to be inclusive teachers.
I am a Global Citizen. I work with a varied student body, as we are an open-enrollment university. I focus a great deal of my teaching attention on accessibility and equitable design for all. I teach my students about the Universal Design of Learning (UDL), gender, nationality, ethnicity, and identity-neutral language.
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I am an Inentional Collaborator. This is really out of necessity due to the fact that my interests are wide and I could spend a great deal of time creating a shallow breadth of knowledge. I have taught myself to be disciplined and stay within 2-3 lanes. I enjoy working on teams, leading teams, and getting better at this skill. I love to engage my peers in discussions that will broaden my knowledge. I am currently working with a large research group regarding SRIs and find this group of 40+ members to be invigorating.
I am an Advanced Beginner Analyst. I enjoy learning about data analysis and am working to better understand these concepts. White in the SRI university committee, I am surrounded by peers that excel in this area. I found myself lacking the most in this area, but it is an area that will become my area of study this summer. I love to know what the numbers mean and to be able to proficiently discuss how the applications of different data analyses can be used to tell a story.
My research interests include the Flipped Cafeteria Style Classroom, Professional Development for SOE faculty members, H20 Labs for SOE pre-service students, equitable assessments, Delphinium, and ungrading. These ideas all feed into my passion for equitable education. I believe that we must all contribute to the knowledge base of our communities. I am of the opinion that my knowledge should be used to raise up those without traditional access to education and I enjoy the benefits of the technology to deliver this content. We, as educators, serve a worldwide population...what a humbling and invigorating thought! I enjoy researching anything associated with online learning.
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Gamification
Cafeteria Style Classroom
The application of gamification has shown to increase student engagement, perseverance, student satisfaction and enjoyment, higher levels of success rates, and a reduced stress level due to the more relaxed environment. Students are allowed to personalize their own path to success with many self-paced options with the incorporation of gamification, badges, Xperience Points, levels, tracks, and choice in the course design and how students are embracing and enjoying this new approach in their daily lessons.
Flipped Classroom
A flipped classroom is a form of blended learning in which students learn new content online by watching video lectures, usually at home, and what used to be homework (assigned problems) is now done in class with teachers offering more personalized guidance and interaction with students, instead of lecturing.
Cafeteria Style Learning is a student led, individual curriuclum in which students learn new content in the order they want. They decide what order to complete instruction and assignment. We are pairing this approach with the Flipped Model to give students even more control in their learning. We utilize labs to ensure success.
Open Education
Open Education is the concept associated with a free and flowing educational system. I believe that my knowledge, understanding, and creativity should be given to anyone who would like to make a better life for themselves. I believe in serving others in order to become a better and more in-tune human being. I believe that we are all part of a larger symbiotic system that requires that we breath life into the system.
Professional Development Lab
The PDL will serve UVU faculty members while learning new digital tools to integrate in their classrooms. We have sessions scheduled including Blogging as a Critical Thinking Tool, Digital Storytelling as a Higher Order Skills assessment tool, and TeachLive to increase efficacy of a pre-service teacher preparation program.