ID Project for AHED 735 Gets National Recognition

ID Project for AHED 735 (Instructional Strategies for Adult Education) leads to National Recognition

Carol Grode-Hanks, a doctoral student in the ED.D program, used the principles learned in AHED 735: Instructional Strategies to redesign a student success class.  A major component of the redesign was incorporating engaging activities into the curriculum using the ADDIE model and Gagne’s nine events of instruction. A team of instructors, designers, and admissions and student services representatives worked together throughout the semester developing and pilot testing each lesson.

Reviewing the lessons provided insight as to how well the lesson would be executed. The team analyzed the lesson plan, teaching aids, time allotment, and assessment strategies.  Each part of the lesson was viewed with a microscopic lens to ensure the learning objectives would be met.  Supplemental materials were reviewed and tested to validate their effectiveness.  Lesson delivery was rehearsed for pedagogical success.

In April, 2015, University Business launched a national recognition program designed to honor colleges and universities that have implemented innovative, effective and inter-departmental initiatives that improve student success.  Mitchell Technical Institute’s redesigned student success course is one of ten inaugural honorees. University Business is the most widely received most regularly read publication for higher education leaders at two- and four-year colleges and universities nationwide. The magazine provides cutting-edge coverage of higher education technology, news, finance, policy, profiles and more to this exclusive audience across print, digital and events.

Military Uniform Exhibition Features Uniform of AHED Student

A Women’s History Month uniform exhibit features the military uniform of one of our students in the Adult and Higher Education program. The exhibition, which is currently traveling the state, features time-period uniforms from women serving in various military branches. Informative descriptions of the garments and the women who wore them are part of the exhibit.

Chief Master Sgt. Jenn Reecy, a current student in AHED 710, has been a member of the S.D. Air National Guard for nearly 22 years and lent her Airman Battle Uniform for the display. Says Reecy, “I couldn’t think of a better way to tell the story of women serving in the National Guard than through this incredible display of heritage. I have immense pride in serving and consider wearing the uniform as an opportunity to influence others to serve and grow the leadership capacity of our communities, state and nation.”

Reecy believes that this visible display of the role of women in the military builds upon the legacy of women serving our country.

The exhibition is on display at South Dakota State University this week and can be seen at the South Dakota National Guard Museum in Pierre next week.

Early Registration Begins March 23, 2015

Greetings!

Early registration for Summer, Fall and Spring classes will begin on March 23rd. We encourage you to register early for classes!

Announcement of School District Position Openings

Hello Everyone,

We've been asked to pass along the following information to any interested 2015 graduating students in the School of Education:

The Lyman School District is currently advertising for a Kindergarten teacher and a K-12 principal position for the 2015-2016 school year. Application materials can be sent to the address below or sent electronically to: lynn.vlasman@k12.sd.us

Mr. Lynn Vlasman, Supt.
Lyman School Dist. 42-1
P.O. Box 1000
Presho, SD 57568-1000
605-895-2579

Congratulations, Dr. Mike Lodmel!

Pictured left to right: Dr. Swarths, Dr. Lodmel, Dr. Bright

Congratulations go to Mike Lodmel who successfully defended his dissertation on Thursday, March 5th! His dissertation title is The Relationship Between School District Expenditures and ACT Scores in South Dakota Public Schools.

Dr. Lommel's committee members included: Dr. Aderhold, Dr. Bright, Dr. Baron and Dr. Daniel Swarths. 

Transnational Education and Learning Society (TELS) Conference Call for Proposals

 

The Transnational Education & Learning Society, Inc. has issued a call for proposals for the 2nd Annual International Conference on Transnational Education and Learning, which will take place at The Ohio State University from September 30 - October 2, 2015. The conference theme is "Defining, Refining, and Challenging Transnational Education".  The full conference brochure can be found here.

Graduate students are encouraged to submit papers and are given special consideration. The deadline for proposal submissions is March 31, 2015. Dr. Avoseh is willing to work with students to do joint submission of abstracts, so if you are interested, please contact him at: mejai.avoseh@usd.edu

 

Scholarships Available!

The Division of Educational Administration offers scholarship opportunities to students currently enrolled in the Educational Administration K-12 (EDAD) and Adult and Higher Education (AHED) programs. We are currently accepting applications for scholarships for the 2015-2016 school year. We encourage you to apply to as many scholarships as you like. Scholarship applications are due by March 20, 2015, and all winners will be announced in April 2015. A link to the information on available scholarships and the form is available on the sidebar under Helpful Links. We look forward to receiving your applications! 

High Stakes Testing in the News

Greetings everyone!

Dr. Diana Messick has shared a link from a recent NPR story on high stakes testing, The Past, Present and Future of High-Stakes Testing. Dr. Messick provided this comment:

Educators are often asked what they think about standardized testing and Common Core. We know this is a complicated answer and an ongoing debate. We hear parents concerns about the number of tests students take and the pressure of accountability teachers face. The question that arises from the debate is what would we do if we didn't test students annually. This nprED article provides background, current issues in the debate and options to consider if we didn't test every student 3-8 annually and once in high school.

The Past, Present and Future of High-Stakes Testing

Check out the article and feel free to make comments here. This is a forum for sharing and conversation connected to issues that impact us all--we'd love to hear from you!

Meet Dr. Diana Messick

Periodically, we'll be introducing our adjunct faculty members. We'd like you to meet Dr. Diana Messick who teaches Secondary School Administration online.

I was the founding principal of Sioux Falls New Technology High School (New Tech), the first Project Based Learning High school in South Dakota, from 2010-2012. New Tech is one of four public high schools in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I retired two years ago from the position at New Tech High but remain as the volunteer business/community liaison. Previously, I was the principal at Whittier Middle School, in Sioux Falls for seventeen years (1000 students grades 6-8) and still have blue and white running through my veins. I have been an administrator at the elementary, middle school and high school level in Utah and South Dakota in both small and large schools with a wide range of social, economic and cultural diversity. This is the fifth year
I have had the honor to teach Secondary Administration for USD. I am passionate about expanding the understanding of Project Based Learning and opportunities for students and believe that it is an instructional model that ignites student’s passion for learning and builds a connection to the real world.

 My professional goals are to promote innovative school change and prepare leaders who possess a vision that prepares our students for their future.

The Spring 2015 Semester Begins!

Hello Everyone! Welcome to the Spring 2015 semester at USD! It's certainly winter here in South Dakota. Here in the Vermillion area, we were delighted yesterday morning with a winter wonderland, as hoarfrost coated the trees and shrubs!

We hope you have a rewarding and productive semester. Remember, this blog can serve as a community building tool, so please sign up to be notified of new posts by email. Relevant information from the Division can be found here, along with reminders of important upcoming deadlines. We also encourage your input, whether you are here on campus or taking on-line classes from anywhere else on the globe. If you have ideas to share, noteworthy news, or timely items that may be of interest to others involved in Educational Administration, please contact edad@usd.edu with your information and we will post it here on the blog. Your comments on posts are also welcome and encouraged. Have a great semester!