LTMS Student to Present Capstone Project at Conference
Dec 20, 2010
A Harrisburg University of Science and Technology graduate student will present her research at the International Society of Technology in Education 2011 conference.
Lisa Butler, a Middle School Spanish teacher for Derry Township School District in Hershey enrolled in the Learning Technologies Master of Science (LTMS) program at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, will present her project entitled Re-Evaluating The Hardcover Textbook: A Journey Into Digital Textbook Creation.
The purpose of her presentation is to demonstrate the process for a teacher to create a digital resource that can replace or enhance a traditional textbook. In digital format, any outdated classroom material can be updated quickly without the significant cost associated with textbook replacement.
“A free option was necessary. Of the free or open source online Spanish textbooks, none were robust enough to support a diverse group of learners, so it was necessary to create my own resource,” says Butler.
Butler teaches in a 1:1 mini-laptop environment, so all students are guaranteed to have access to the digital resource. She had previously relied on Moodle as a course management system, but the students were not easily able to find previous topics. The needs of the students motivated the research for the digital resource.
“As a student, I spent an entire semester exploring and researching online textbook replacement alternatives. The decision to create a resource was based on the needs of my middle school students, a group of diverse learners, and the learning environment of our school,” says Butler. “By directly incorporating different media and multiple technology resources, it will encourage the students to apply the content in real world situations and be more engaged in the learning. This is what traditional textbooks lack.”
Her presentation is based on her capstone project as an LTMS graduate student at Harrisburg University.
“Lisa’s experiential capstone project represents a comprehensive approach to technology evaluation and solution design. Her work in the LTMS program cumulates in this effort. The quality of the project and the impact it will have in the classroom is representational of the academic experience in the LTMS program and Lisa’s individual efforts to develop her skills in learning technologies,” says Andy Petroski, Director of the Learning Technologies Master of Science program.
Butler, presenting at her third educational expo, is the first LTMS student to present a degree capstone project at a conference. ISTE 2011 will be held in Philadelphia with a theme of "Unlocking Potential." More than 18,000 education professionals and technology industry reps are expected to attend June 26-29, 2011.
ISTE is the premier membership association for educators and education leaders engaged in improving learning and teaching by advancing the effective use of technology in PK-12 and teacher education. ISTE represents more than 100,000 education leaders and emerging leaders throughout the world and informs its members regarding educational issues of national and global scope.
Additionally, Butler will showcase her capstone project on April 20, 2011, when she joins with other Learning Technologies Master of Science graduating students to do experiential project presentations. Each student will present a 'final project' during the event. The program will run from 3:30 PM – 6 PM, and is scheduled to occur in the Auditorium at the University. The event is free and refreshments will be provided. The event will consist of four presentations. Each presentation will be 15 minutes, with an additional 15 minutes for questions. There will be a 15 minute break in between sessions.
Butler is a graduate of Downingtown High School and Elizabethtown College. She is certified in Social Studies and Spanish, teaches others how to use Moodle to best advantage, publishes several daily educational blogs and contributes valuable technology information on Twitter and other social media sites. She is also a published author and a past presenter at both the Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and Conference (PETE&C) and the Conference on Informational Technology in Education (ITE Conference).
The Learning Technologies Master of Science (LTMS) at Harrisburg University is a part-time or full-time 36 semester hour program that provides students with leading edge approaches and skills to help them apply existing and emerging learning technologies in a variety of learning environments. More information on LTMS is found online at http://www.harrisburgu.edu/academics/graduate/learning-technologies/
Founded in 2001 to address Central Pennsylvania’s need for increased opportunities for study leading to careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, Harrisburg University is an innovative and ambitious private institution that produces graduates who provide increased competence and capacity in science and technology disciplines to Pennsylvania and the nation. Harrisburg University ensures institutional access for underrepresented students and links learning and research to practical outcomes. As a private University serving the public good, Harrisburg University remains the only STEM-focused comprehensive university located between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
For more information on the University's demand-driven undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs in applied science and technology fields, call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu.