Kristine Neuber Portfolio
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EDIT 772 Web-based Instructional Tools Basic & AdvancedBoth 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: EDUC 800 Ways of KnowingThe 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: EDUC 802 Leadership SeminarI 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) EDUC 805: Doctoral SeminarThis 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 SeminarThe 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
EDRS 810 Problems and Methods in Educational ResearchI 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) EDUC 844 Current Issues in Special EducationThis 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. EDUC 870 Education Policy: Process Context and PoliticsGreat 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) EDUC 871 Advanced Policy Issues in EducationI 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 Horizontal Challenge (word with comments) EDUC 897 Independent StudyThis 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) EDUC
994 Advanced Internship In Education
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Kristine Neuber (kneuber@gmu.edu) Date Last Updated: July 15, 2006 |
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