Teaching
Philosophy
My philosophy of teaching, which is based on the concept of learner interactions, is increasingly influenced by critical digital pedagogy. I have synthesized the learner interactions literature into a taxonomy that includes the four interactions identified by Moore (1989) and Hillman, Willis, and Gunawardena (1994): learner-instructor, learner-content, learner-learner, and learner-technology. This taxonomy subsumes related taxonomies by Dirrs (1990) and Hirumi (2002). To incorporate the tenets of critical digital pedagogy (Stommel, 2014), I have added three interactions: learner-self, learner-context and learner-world. These three remind me to incorporate opportunities for learner self-reflection, opportunities based in the learner’s specific context and opportunities that take the learner beyond their specific context. In my teaching, I aim to facilitate all seven learner interactions. In doing so, I find that I am able to meet a wide spectrum of learning style preferences and provide a wide variety of opportunities for my students to express themselves and demonstrate their learning.
Awards and Recognition
- 2017 Dissertation Advisor, Dissertation of the Year (Student: Andrain Yeldell), Mid-South Educational Research Association (MSERA)
- 2017 Dissertation Advisor, Excellence in Dissertation Research Award (Student: Kim Roberts), College of Education, The University of Alabama
- 2016 Certificate of Recognition, Excellence in Academic Advising, Office for Academic Affairs and Academic Advisors Association, The University of Alabama
- 2016 Certificate of Recognition, Development and Pilot Implementation of Learning in Action Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), The University of Alabama
- 2012 Dissertation Advisor, Dissertation of the Year (Student: Jeremy Searson), Mid-South Educational Research Association (MSERA)
- 2012 Finalist, Last Lecture Series Presenter, Graduate School, The University of Alabama
- 2007 Faculty Fellow, McNair Scholars Program, The University of Alabama
- 2003, 2005 Incomplete List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by their Students, UIUC Center for Teaching Excellence
Grants
- Benson, A. D. (2015). QEP Learning in Action CREATE Grant. Learning in Action, University of Alabama, $1000. [Funded]
Special Instructional Training
- Annual Induction Workshop, Five-Day Workshop, University of Namibia, Spring 2019
- Digital Pedagogy Lab, Mary Washington University, Summer 2018
- Lilly Faculty Learning Communities Institute, Traverse City, MI, Summer 2018
- GSuite Level 1 Certification Bootcamp, Summer 2017
- Digital Pedagogy Lab, Mary Washington University, Summer 2017
- INTEL Essentials Workshop (Faculty Review), University of Alabama, Summer 2009
- UA eLearning Course Management System Workshop for Experienced Faculty, Summer 2007
- INTEL Teach to the Future Training, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Summer 2002
Courses Taught or Supervised
University of Alabama
Courses Taught/Supervised (since 2006)
- Role: I = Instructor, S = Supervisor, C = Creator, MR = Major Re-design
- Format: O = Online, H = Hybrid, W = Weekend Classroom, T = Traditional Classroom
| Courses | Role | Format |
|---|---|---|
| UNAM Courses | ||
| Educational Technology Career Specialization (CFD 3890) | I | H |
| Educational Technology (ECMT 5920) | I | O |
| Educational Technology Project (ECMP 5980) | I | O |
| Instructional Design in the Age of Technology (ECMI 5920) | I | O |
| UA Courses | ||
| Computers in Education (CAT 100) | I, S, R | O |
| Computer Education Application (CAT 200) | I, S | O |
| Administrative Technology (AIL 631) | I | H, O |
| Technology Management (AIL 630) | I, C | H, O |
| Principles of Instructional Technology (AIL 601) | I, R | H, W |
| Electronic Instructional Design (AIL 602) | I, R | H, W |
| Interactive Multimedia Processes (AIL 605) | I, R | H, W |
| Computer Based Instructional Technologies (CAT 531) | I, R | T |
| Technology Applications in Qualitative Data Analysis (BER 638) | I, C | H |
| Distance Learning (AIL 604) | I, R | H, W |
| Software Technology (AIL 606) | I, R | H, O |
| Doctoral Seminar: Instructional Technology (AIL 691) | I, C | H, O |
| Instructional Technology Design (INTE 532) | C | O |
| Online Teaching and Learning (INTE 533) | C | O |
| Mobile Learning (INTE 538) | C | O |
| Technology Project Management (INTE 540) | C | O |
Program Planning
- Lead Planner, Graduate Certificate, Instructional Technology, University of Alabama, Spring 2017
- Member, Planning Team, Online Masters in Instructional Technology, University of Alabama, Fall 2016 – Spring 2017
- Lead Planner, Alternative Residency Option, Ph.D. in Instructional Leadership with concentration in Instructional Technology, University of Alabama, Fall 2007-Fall 2008
- Lead Planner, Ed.S. in Educational Leadership with Instructional Technology concentration, University of Alabama, Fall 2007-Fall 2008
Student Research
- Completed Ph.D. Dissertations: Chair, 18 since 2009; Committee member, 54 since 2009
- In-Progress Ph.D. Dissertations: Chair, 3; Committee member, 10