Putting Educational Innovations into Practice.

2012 Summer GRAPE Camps

Please introduce yourself here and share something about yourself. We have a number of people who are participating asynchronously, and I'm sure they would like to know who else is going through GRAPE Camp. You can also ask questions here.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cathy Swift on June 14, 2012 at 3:24pm

I'll start it off. I'm Cathy Swift, with MERLOT. As I mentioned during the session, I used to teach at Georgia Southern University. I started getting involved in MERLOT back in 1999 as the Editor of the Business Editorial Board. Over the years I worked more on MERLOT, and finally had an offer to work full time on MERLOT. I decided it was time, as I had already accomplished most of what I wanted to as a faculty member. So, in May of 2006, I started working in my current position.

As Director of Academic Partner Services, I work primarily with the Editorial Boards and Peer Reviewers. I also work on the newsletters and our conference. And of course, many other things that come up on a regular basis.

Although I work for the Cal State Chancellors Office in Long Beach, I actually live north of Dallas,Tx, in Fairview. I'm a telecommuter and work out of my house. Occasionally you may hear my dog, Maggie, barking in the background...we were lucky today.

In my idle time, I like to read, play tennis, play bridge and poker. I also volunteer at the North Texas SPCA in training some of our dogs, working with horses, and working in adoptions.

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth C Homan on June 18, 2012 at 9:20am

Just introducing myself since I was unable to join the first GRAPE camp session! I am a doctoral student at The University of Michigan in English and Education (my two disciplines). I have taught high school and middle school English in Illinois and Indiana, I currently tutor high school and middle school kids here in Ann Arbor, and I also teach at the University. I have taught English courses in writing -- primarily first year writing. I currently teach pre-service English teachers in the School of Education.

Previously, I have worked with pre-service history teachers in a disciplinary literacies course at Purdue University and taught writing at Purdue University. I earned my bachelor's at The University of Illinois.

My research focuses on how teachers use technology in the classroom, how teachers learn to use technology in their instruction, and how teachers feel about the ways in which they are taught about technology and its relationship to pedagogy. Looking forward to working with MERLOT and our research team there, which is working on putting together Learning Objects across disciplines.

Permalink Reply by Cathy Swift on June 18, 2012 at 9:43am

Hi, Elizabeth:

We've had a number of UM grad students graduate from GRAPE Camp. We are happy to have you. I think getting started in peer reviewing teaching materials will help you in the future with peer reviewing journal articles.

We have an active English Editorial Board and I'm sure they will welcome your contributions.

Permalink Reply by Lori Nelson on June 19, 2012 at 1:16pm

I introduced myself last week but will also share some comments here. I teach undergraduates in the communication disorders field in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I am always seeking novel ways of providing students with course content. My former colleague Jim Zeigler was the person who first told me about MERLOT and I learned more about it at the CAPCSD conference this past April in California. I was seeking some new service opportunities to add to my faculty evaluation and I knew the MERLOT peer review experience would be a good one for me. I am very interested to see what materials are available in my field and to share my thoughts about new materials being added to the collections!

Permalink Reply by Cathy Swift on June 19, 2012 at 1:20pm

Lori, we're happy to have you in GRAPE Camp. As I mentioned during the webinar, CAPCSD became a MERLOT Editorial Board after several years of trying to build their own repository. We just wish more professional organizations see the wisdom in this.

I know that the Board has added a lot of materials to MERLOT, and I'm sure they'll be happy to welcome you.

Permalink Reply by Doris Dickerson on June 23, 2012 at 11:16am

Hi All,

I'm Doris Dickerson and bring greetings from Northwest, GA. Now for a bit about me.I currently serve as a part-time adjunct university supervisor for the Teacher Preparation Program for the Graduate and Undergraduate Programs for Shorter University, where I work collaboratively with administrators, and cooperative teachers in local schools to communicate the University’s expectations , provide supervision and guidance to help students successfully complete the practicum and student teaching experience, provide support and resources to help students complete the program, and to be to ready to enter the classroom.I am currently revising a syllabus to to teach action research courses and online courses. Also, I am a Compliance Review Investigator for the Georgia Department of Education, Division for Special education and Student Support Services, where I investigate complaints regarding IDEA issues regarding possible violations in school settings.prior to relocationg to to GA, I lived in denton tx, where I was employed with denton, Independent School District, as a classroom teeacher and superviosr while I completed the graduate program at Texas Woman's University.

I have been an educational practitioner for 29 years, which includes serving as a classroom teacher, building level and district level leadership roles, as well as school improvement specialist and professional learning for Georgia Learning Resource Services (Region One) which offers, technical assistance ,and support to 13 school districts . I enjoy traveling, collcting christmas tree ornaments, and favorite dishes from different regions. I especially enjoy visiting the Tuscan Region in Italy.In spare time ,dream of hosting a cooking class three days per week that focused on different regions, including pasta dishes, wine, cheese, pottery and a few great belts and bags.

Permalink Reply by Cathy Swift on June 25, 2012 at 7:50am

Hi, Doris:

I've been to Shorter! When Georgia was first getting started with MERLOT, we did a presentation there (that was when I was still at Georgia Southern). As I recall, a very pretty campus. Do you know Danny Davis? He worked with our Math Editorial Board for awhile. I think he and his wife both attended several of the MERLOT conferences.

I know that the Teacher Education Editorial Board will welcome your expertise in so many area.

I don't know if I could handle doing a cooking class, but I sure do enjoy watching Food Network!

Permalink Reply by Doris Dickerson on June 25, 2012 at 12:22pm

Greetings Cathy,

Wow! It truly is a small world after all. Shorter campus is beautiful indeed. Infact this enire Northwest Region is beautiful, especially during the fall.

I really enjoy working with hte Teacher Prep Program , an d look foward to learning and sharing Merlot materials. However, I do not know Danny Davis, but will check him out this fall.

Speaking of conferences,I see that a Merlot conference is being held in Vegas during the last week in July. I am looking into it .

Although I am wearing several mini hats, I am enjoying this training so much, and am already thinking of ways to share the wonderful resources.I feel so fortunate to have you facilitating this training.

A question for you, will Professional Learning Units be awarded?

Thanks,

Doris

Permalink Reply by Cathy Swift on June 25, 2012 at 12:37pm

Hi, Doris:

And another link, I got my Ph.D. in Denton a number of years ago. :-)d

You will get a certificate of completion. We don't offer any units at all.

Permalink Reply by Doris Dickerson on June 26, 2012 at 2:20pm

Cathy,
Well, dang it... looks like I will have to pull out my boots and belt!

I always ask just to make sure . Actually, I will be very happy to earn the certificate of completion.
Doris

Permalink Reply by Cathy Swift on June 26, 2012 at 3:41pm

I actually received an invitation to a "redneck wedding" in a week or two. Will be wearing my boots and cowgirl hat! You just gotta love Texas. I'll make sure to take my camera.

Permalink Reply by Vanessa Castleberry on June 20, 2012 at 10:11am

Hi Cathy and fellow group members,

I am Vanessa Castleberry. I teach Introductory and Freshman (General) Chemistry at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. I received my PhD in Physical Chemistry in May of 2010. Prior to that, I had worked in research as a technician and in industry. I have enjoyed the challenge of teaching, and am always looking for ways to bridge the 'gap of horrors' that seems to exist in the world of science education between students and subject (or professor). A colleague recommended this training to me, and I am grateful. The resources you presented in our first session were amazing. I am looking forward to being a part of the reviewing community. Also, now that I have stumbled through the site only briefly, I am looking forward to utlizing some of the sites in my teaching!

As for a personal life, I have been married for 20 years. We, the primates, are staff members for two former shelter felines. I raise orchids and enjoy quilting, knitting, almost any kind of hand work and/sewing. My spouse and I participate in some outdoor activities: backpacking, camping, hiking, running. We recently added raceway track driving to that list. I am a certified Pilates instructor (gotta stay in shape....love that chocolate!) and have the opportunity to use this skill with the climbing team this fall! We'll have to wait and see who will struggle to keep up with whom....;-)

This summer, I have had the opportunity to play around in a colleague's laboratory, so I have done some design work and some literature research for a project he wants to start with his incoming graduate student.

My hope is to always remain current and accessible, when it comes to my educational career. With research, I hope to continue it to some degree, as it keeps me on my toes.