My Educational Background
Associate Arts in General Studies
I began my college career at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Iowa. I learned many different skills throughout my time here including critical thinking, solving problems through scientific and mathematical processes as well as refining my communication skills.
Bachelor of Applied Science in Technology Management
I obtained this degree from St. Petersburg College located in St. Petersburg, Florida. This degree combines the requirements for an information/computer degree with a business degree. I took classes in web design, network security, ecommerce, marketing, organizational behavior and communication, project management and database design. I learned the ins and outs of running a business, regardless of size, as well as many aspects of human resources and project management. I also learned many aspects of running a business online and creating a business' online identity and brand. I built a proficiency in the Office programs as well as Adobe programs.
Masters of Education Concentration in Curriculum and Instruction - Instructional Technology
This leg of my educational career was spent at the University of South Florida. With this degree I learned many different skills and programs. I furthered my skills in web design, graphic design and programming. I discovered how to design courses, set objectives and learning goals, work with the ADDIE model for design, and how to assess learning. I became proficient with Captivate and Courselab during this time period as well as learning about Moodle, SCORM policies and standards, Blackboard, Elluminate, as well as video and audio creation and editing. I was involved with iMapBook - which is an innovative reading program for kids that is being researched on the campus.
Masters of Library and Information Science
Not quite having my thirst for knowledge satisfied, I stayed on at the University of South Florida and pursued a Master of Library and Information Science. My focus was on informational science where I took several courses involving working with government documents and health care information systems. I took additional courses on web design during this time to keep my skills up to date with HTML5 and CSS3. I set my focus again on the technological side of this field and learned more about social media, Wikiapedia, WordPress and digital libraries. Towards the end of my degree I have also come to discover my niche in the library domain - Archiving. In this area I have found a love of history and preservation of knowledge to have a home in the professional world.
Doctorate of Education in Instructional Technology - Focus of Study in Adult and Continuing Education
My doctoral work is being pursued at the American College of Education. Currently I am learning to conduct, analyze, document, and publish research findings in the educational realm while also studying more advanced topics in distance education, online education, instructional technology, and adult education. My research goals include the education of inmates in the prison system of the United States and how it affects the recidivism rates and violence rates currently seen within the prisons. Other areas of interest include gamification of education and the use of virtual and augmented realities in education.
In between my formal education
In between my times of formal education, I have not sat idle. Many new things have been studied and learned. I have put time into running an internet business combining an Ebay store and a independent web store. While this venture ended up being shut down (my product source also shut down), I learned a lot about all aspects of e-commerce and marketing.
Afterwards, I became involved in individual tax law. I ended up studying tax law extensively and have gone through 2 certifications. I was the General Manager of two tax locations where I learned more about training and business law.
I am currently furthering my knowledge base by in many areas of personal interest such as using illustration, graphics, and CAD programs for the use of various machines in our personal work studios. I have a long standing love of building and creating and hold awards for my needlework in several local competitions.