I plan to spend my time in the doctoral program at the University of Georgia learning about robust research initiatives in urban educational environments, leveraging the use of technology to facilitate learning, and exploring methods that introduce student-centered, 21st century teaching practices.  I don’t consider technology to be the end goal, but a means to administer an authentic learning experience to students.  Listed below are descriptions of the steps that I’m currently taking, and plan on taking, to achieve my mission of providing this learning experience. 

Activities



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I have been privileged to work for the Archway Partnership during my first year of the doctoral program.  Archway, a public service outreach organization at the University of Georgia, has supported me in collaborating with local departments of education in neighboring counties of Georgia.  My position involves informing local schools districts regarding their future technology investments, advising teachers about newer pedagogies, and working with community members to bring solutions to a lack of internet access in remote areas of Georgia.  My time with Archway has helped me progress further in developing my research interests.  I've listed a sample of my current projects below.  

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Projects







​Project 1​
​During the fall semester, I advised key stakeholders in a local county about their investment in future technology, allocation and organization of a new learning space, and adoption of 21st century learning skills.  Talks are ongoing with the county about developing a technology plan for the future.  Goals include implementing a bring your own technology (BYOT) program in the next three years.  The school has also asked for assistance with incorporating technology to increase end of course test (EOCT) scores.    

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​Project 2​
I was tasked, during my second project with a partnering county, to generate solutions to address the fact that many students did not have an internet connection at home.  We are in conversation to either administer a school-wide 1:1 initiative  with devices that have an internet connection, cover a local area with an internet cloud connection, or work with a local internet provider to supply internet to preselected homes at a reduced rate.  Also, my collaboration with stakeholders has included talks with the local public library to assist with providing internet to the community.  

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​Project 3​ 

​Currently, I’m working with a partnering county to administer a Bring Your Own Technology  initiative to a high school.  I was asked to develop a pilot  plan and work with preselected teachers during a 9-week implementation phase.  My responsibilities have included generating technologically infused lesson plans for teachers, providing support during the implementation

phase, and leading a professional development with the staff about using technology in student-centered ways.  After the pilot phase, I will be assisting in implementing a school-wide BYOT initiative.  The image below shows one of the BYOT and iPad training sessions at the high school.









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​Future Projects​



In the upcoming year, I plan on working with the same counties to continue the work being done.  Also, I intend on assisting partnering school districts with writing grants for technology, leading professional developments regarding student-centered applications of technology, and leading more schools into adopting BYOT.  I anticipate, as schools move more towards wide-scale technology adoption, that they will need assistance with learning management systems, device specifications, and IT requirements.  Archway has been an excellent avenue to bridge local schools with University of Georgia's Learning, Design, and Technology program.  

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​Summer Training​



This summer, I have the privilege to work for The New Teacher Project, an alternative certification program placing highly competent teachers in urban districts.  My role will be to prepare teachers to be successful in a disadvantaged school.  Also, I’ll be collaborating with other trainers to design the intensive, 2-month, curriculum.  After the training, I intend to follow up with the teachers during their first year, and conduct a research study about the effectiveness of incorporating student-centered instructional strategies in low-income areas. 

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Service


This spring and summer, I’ll be working with Dr. TJ Kopcha to read proposals and give feedback for a crossroads modeled AERA conference about design-based research, held in Athens, Georgia.  I’ll also be working at the conference during the fall semester of 2013, helping with conference logistics.  During the fall semester of 2012, I had the opportunity to volunteer with AECT.  The conference was an excellent chance to see the diverse, cross-curricular interests in the learning, design, and technology field.  I’ve also had the opportunity to assist the University of Georgia’s Educational Technology Center, ETC, on professional development trainings regarding iPad use.  The trainings were held for local high school teachers, as part of a 1:1 technology initiative. 

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​During the spring semester of 2013, I've been tutoring underprivileged students online through an organization named LearnIt Systems.  The tutoring time has given me opportunities to connect with students who have been struggling with reading and mathematical concepts.  Many students are multiple grade levels behind.  Since my future research pertains to at-risk students, I am grateful that I can serve in this regard.  

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Research

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Currently, I’m working on a conceptual paper regarding implementing 21st century learning skills in a secondary level classroom by incorporating multiple instructional strategies.  In the fall of 2013, Dr. Kopcha and I anticipate presenting my preliminary research about providing a response-to-learner intervention using technology.  Also, I plan to collect data in the fall of 2013, and write a paper about the effectiveness of student-centered instructional strategies for first year, urban educators.  Another paper that I plan on starting is through a participating county with the Archway Partnership, after collecting data about the systematic process to becoming a BYOT school.  I’ve been working to collect preliminary data on the pilot phase of the initiative.







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