Kristine Neuber Portfolio

Course Reflections

EDIT 772 Web-based Instructional Tools Basic & Advanced

Both of these courses taught me how to hand code a web site which has been extremely helpful in creating this electronic portfolio. The skills I learned in these courses have made me a more effective web accessibility coordinator for Mason. I have learned HTML techniques that allow me to effectively explain the technical provisions specified under Section 508. I have used these skills to consult with Washington Partners to make their web site more accessible. I am also consulting on a grant with Vanderbilt in a similar capacity.

Artifacts:
Basic: http://www.gmu.edu/accessibility/webaccessibility/ (the layout of the page was modified by Electronic Publications)
Advanced: http://ttaconline.gmu.edu/atlab/website/index.shtml (This site uses server-side includes for easy updates)

EDUC 800 Ways of Knowing

The content covered in this class taught me about myself, particularly how I look at the world and what motivates me as well as how I learn best. I found out through several of the assignments that I depend on inspiration to motivate me toward a goal. If I do not have it from the start, I set out to find it. I have two examples of this from this class. I found that I would go to the Library of Congress whenever possible to complete the weekly writing assignments. At the beginning of the class I thought I did this to have an excuse to go to Washington DC, which I love. I figured it was just another procrastination technique. Later in the semester I realized that I am inspired by the environment and motivation of the people there.

I also realized how much visual images help to motivate me. The second example of this need for inspiration demonstrated itself when I was trying to complete my final paper. I had, as usual procrastinated and could not get motivated to complete the paper. In a last ditch attempt to get a grip, I went to DC again, I sat in the center of the Mall and thought about the paper. I took a picture of a tree on the Mall and used it as a metaphor for my paper. I got it done.

Artifact:

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EDUC 802 Leadership Seminar

I gained a lot of confidence in my ability to write during this class. I found the class to be very enjoyable and useful to my surprise. I had my doubts when I looked at the reading list. Organizational Theory. I remember thinking what could be more boring? I had no desire to be a school principle or anything of the sort. I figured I would just have to get through the class. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to relate the information to other areas of life. Much of what we covered was how to motivate people to be productive and different theories for why organizations work or do not work. I found it easy to relate these ideas to the policy world. Effecting policy is about motivating people. Also, in order to develop effective policy you need to understand how organizational structures work. The class was also helpful in that it helped me to understand how to develop a theory. Finally, the writing assignments in class were very helpful. We had to critique research articles on organizational theory and we were required to write a literature review. All of these assignments were very helpful. I did not really know how to critique an article until this class. It inspired me to learn more and is why I wanted to be a reviewer for the IJEP.

Artifact: Literature Review (word with comments)

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EDUC 805: Doctoral Seminar

This class was always fun. It was not difficult, there was not much reading or writing. It was a relief, a time to take a breath and enjoy learning about others and what motivates them. What was surprising to me was how interested I was in so many different topics. One lecture discussed how teachers should restructure activities in the classroom to allow students to show their skills. It was fascinating to see how differently children approached assignments when given freedom. I understood this need for students with disabilities, this presentation focused on recognizing students who are gifted and talented. It was eye opening.

Second Semester Doctoral Seminar

The second semester of Doc Seminar came after I had taken a year off from the program. It was great to be back and I enjoyed this class even more than I did in my first semester. I cannot recall exactly when it happened, but there was a time during this semester that my journey in the doctoral program, became more of an opportunity to learn, than simply a means to an end. For the first time in my life I was going to school more to satisfy an insatiable need to learn, than for the purpose of becoming a leader in my field. I learned later that this willingness and need to continue to learn is one aspect of my personality that will make me an effective leader.

Artifact: Final reflection paper

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EDRS 810 Problems and Methods in Educational Research

I was excited and anxious about my first research class. This was probably one of the most helpful classes I have taken thus far. It took the mystery out of research. Margo made it appear fun. In writing both a quantitative and qualitative methods section, I now realized that the devil is in the details especially in the quantitative research. I feel more comfortable writing a quantitative method section, it seems straight forward. However, I think I will find that I am more of a qualitative researcher. I enjoy the reflective nature of the qualitative process.

Artifacts:

Quantitative Method Section (pdf with comments)

Quantitative Method Section (word)

Qualitative Method Section (pdf with comments)

Qualitative Method Section (word)

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EDRS 811 Quantitative Methods in Education Research

In progress Spring 2007 - I am strangly enjoying the change of scenery in this class. It is the first class I have had in the program where I feel like there is a point at which you finish the homework. It is finite. In all of my other classes there is always the thought that the paper could have been done better or differently if I spent more time with it. In this class. There is a correct answer. I am enjoying challenging my mind in a different way. I wonder if I will feel the same way after the midterm exam :-)

EDRS 812 Qualitative Methods in Education Research

In this class completed a small study in which I interviewed parents of children with disabilities.  These parents were also special educators.  My goal was to explore their opinions of No Child Left Behind and how their opinions were formed.  The final paper is included below. I learned a lot about qualitative research during the process and appreciated actually having to go through the steps including transcribing and coding the interviews.  It was interesting to learn how systematic the process truly is and how difficult it can be to sort through all of the information.  I have a new found appreciate for the richness of the data that you can get from a qualitative approach.  I also learned through this experience that NCLB is an interest of mine, but not a primary interest.  I decided during the semester, that I do not want to focus my dissertation on NCLB.  I am more interested in what factors contribute to effective policy and how that can affect the success of a person with a disability.

EDUC 844 Current Issues in Special Education

This was the first class I took after re-entering the program. It was not stressful because I found the workload manageable. This allowed me to enjoy learning. For one assignment I lead the class in a discussion about Special Education Policy. The presentation was invigorating to me. I covered a brief history of special education policy and also the current issues in policy today. The research I did to prepare for this presentation and paper focused on IDEA and the challenges related to NCLB. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching about policy. (I am usually teaching about assistive technology.) The experience cemented my conviction to study policy.
I was less pleased with a paper on the same topic. I thought it was well written, but instead realized that it had little focus. The comments from this paper taught me to use headings to organize my papers. I had never used them in the past. I believe it has improved my writing. I have included the paper in this portfolio.

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Final policy paper

EDUC 870 Education Policy: Process Context and Politics

Great class! I knew I was going to love learning about policy. The most valuable lesson came from writing policy memos. It was a different type of writing than I was accustomed. The importance of stating your opinion and argument briefly was stressed. It was a great challenge to make a strong argument in few words. The policy briefs seemed like short papers, but in reality often took longer to write. The format of the class is one that fits me like a glove. The small group allowed us to get to know each other. I enjoyed seeing issues through the eyes of other students.

Artifact: Policy Memo (pdf with comments)
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EDUC 871 Advanced Policy Issues in Education

I have relied heavily on passion, conviction and my own experience to argue points about disability issues. These things are important, but through this class, my appreciation for the power of facts and thorough understanding of the issues has grown. The small class allowed us to delve deeply into issues. It was amazing to me how quickly the class would pass, often with just one topic on the table and four people in the room. I think the rich conversation grew from the weekly group assignments we completed outside of class. At the time, I thought that the group assignments were busy work, but as the semester went on, I realized that the work we did as a group outside of class provided us with background knowledge and time to work through the material, this is needed to have a rich debate. It went far beyond what the reading alone was able to do. My final paper for the class, I believe, reflected an improvement in my ability to make a policy argument with facts and logic to back it up.

Artifact: Disability Law: Eligibility and Service Inconsistencies, the Vertical Challenge (word with comments)

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EDUC 872 Social Science Research & Educational Policy

In progress Spring 2007 - It would have been helpful to have this class under my belt prior to my internship. I am also finding it very helpful in relationship to my responsibilities as a reviewer for the International Journal of Education Policy and Leadership.

EDUC 873 Education Policy: Comparitive and International Perspectives

As a result of my experiences in Botswana, I was excited to take this class.  I was hungry to learn about how countries other than the United States viewed and implemented education.  I was surprised to learn that most countries appeared to be debating the same issues just at different times.  For example, I always viewed China as having an education system that taught citizen’s the basics, reading writing and arithmetic through the banking method of education.  What I was surprised to learn is that there is a debate in that country and others as to whether they needed to incorporate more creative thinking into their system.  The US on the other hand is headed in the opposite direction. As a result of this class I have a better understanding of how social, economic, and political issues in any county affect education. 

In this class I had the opportunity to read a book that has had a profound impact on the way that I view policy and has deepened my understanding of who I am as an educator.  The book is Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire.  I was intimidated by the prospect of reading this book because I knew it was translated into English and was warned that it was not the easiest read.  Armed with my assistive technology, I tackled the book. I remember being surprisingly captivated by the book and soon forgot the world around me. It captivated me because I realized, through Freire’s philosophy why I was so conflicted about No Child Left Behind.  It became clear to me how I could believe so much in my testimony in front of Congress while at the same time reject many of the  provisions set forth in the legislation.  My reflection on the book is below.

Artifact: Freire and Special Education: A Reflection

EDUC 897 Independent Study

This independent study was focused on developing and teaching a class that covered material related to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. It specifically focused on the web accessibility guidelines specified under the act. It was interesting to learn about the relatively new law. The process of organizing the class materials and presenting the information was invaluable. The most challenging aspect was dealing with the different levels of knowledge within the class. It was particularly interesting observing the reaction of the students to new regulations related to disability law. Most did not have an understanding of the barriers encountered by people with disabilities as they surfed the web. Most of the students were professionals in Special Education. It made me realize how important education would be to fully implement Section 508.

Artifact: Syllabus (word)

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EDUC 994 Advanced Internship In Education
Washington Partners LLC – Mentor: Jane E. West

I have learned a tremendous amount as a result of this internship. I completed over 210 hours during the semester working two days a week. If I had to choose three main areas of knowledge I have gained from this internship, they would be: (1) knowledge of NCLB, specifically the provisions that pertain to students with disabilities, (2) knowledge of how lobbyist and interest groups work to influence policy and (3) resources available to keep abreast of current policy initiatives and issues.

Although I learned a lot during the internship, there were times when I felt unsuccessful. In many cases I believe I was not able to help Jane to the extent I would have liked. However, I may have this expected too much of myself in a new environment, where I have very little practical knowledge. I would love to have an opportunity to rewind and go back armed with the experience and knowledge I have after completing the Internship. I suppose that is the point.

I value most the wide array of challenges I was given in during this internship. It was never boring. I really had no idea of the pace of the policy world. I understand more clearly that the currency in the policy world is information. She who gets the most accurate, timely information wins.I am not sure this is the environment for me (at least not the lobbying environment), but I love the journey I have taken to determine that for myself with guidance from Jane. It has been an experience I will always treasure and will never forget. – Thanks Jane!

The experiences and the environment were intellectually stimulating and exciting. Jane has inspired me to learn more and increase my skills. I have a long way to go to be effective in the policy world, but I love a challenge!

Artifacts:

Article: Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness (November 2005)

Congressional Hearing Summary (September 30, 2005)

Personal Perspective on NCLB (final paper - word)

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