Running head: COURSEWORK REFLECTION

Coursework Reflection
Mandi Urgo
University of Saint Mary

COURSEWORK REFLECTION

Coursework Reflection
When I initially began courses through the MAT program through the University of Saint
Mary, I didnt know what to expect. I knew that it would be a lot of work, but I was unsure of
the type of work that would be assigned. Graduate level courses can sometimes feel
intimidating.
I feel that the first class, Action Research in Effective Classroom Environments (MAT
723), gave me a basis for research skills and the development of graduate level writing. This
course provided a thorough explanation of how to effectively develop a professional action
research implementation plan. I learned how to synthesize information on action research,
analyze classroom environments, and summarize the relationship between the action research
and the USM conceptual framework. This class also taught me how to evaluate professional
research to determine possible strategies to introduce in the classroom.
Through my research, I have mostly focused on the benefits of problem-based learning. I
have had a lot of experience with gifted students and have incorporated PBL into daily
instruction. Through the implementation of PBL, I have seen a noticeable change in the way
students learn, engage in the taught content, and retain the new content information. Students are
excited about learning and tend to dig deeper into the content that before.
The class, Meeting the Needs of Diverse Students (MAT 735), allowed me to further
my knowledge of gifted learners and identify their specific needs. This course reinforced my
implementation plan of incorporating problem-based learning into the gifted classroom, due to
the various ways that students comprehend content.

COURSEWORK REFLECTION

I was able to build upon my action research implementation plan during the 21st Century
Teaching and Learning Course (MAT 718). This courses provided insight into the numerous
technologies that can be incorporated into classroom instruction. I have learned to use
technologies such as Jing, TaskStream, MediaSpace, Mendeley, Prezi, EBSCOhost, Glogster, and
Mindomo.
After implementing my action research project, Research Based Assessment Strategies
(MAT 729) taught me to review and synthesize professional resources to express assessment
strategies and to select, evaluate, and use assessment strategies to engage learners in the
classroom.
Looking back, research has always been a significant aspect of teaching. I have
consistently implemented new instructional strategies throughout the years. I have seen student
gains, as well as some strategies that havent worked as well as I had hoped.
Through my MAT courses, I have also learned the importance of sharing instructional
strategies that have proven successful in my classroom. I have been able to share what I have
learned with my colleagues through PLCs, which as reinforced in Professional Learning
Communities (MAT 780). This program has taught me to be a continuous researcher, as well
as an educator.