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

UNAM Courses

Role

Format

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

Role

Format

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
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