Virtual worlds are one online tool
used by universities.
How do teachers and parents learn what they need to know about digital learning when they lack the resources public schools have?
How do staff in private and rural schools gain skills in the effective use digital learning to increase student achievement?
Edubabel Online Learning equips teachers and parents to overcome the challenges of using technology for education and is currently developing
online resources, as well as workshops and webinars, that provide schools, teachers, and parents with the confidence to put together curriculum,
use digital media, and design effective digital learning for children.
My name is Patricia Ort. I'm the President of Hiflyte Productions, LLC and the Creative Director for Edubabel Online Learning.
I got my first taste of using technology in the classroom as a teacher at a large, urban middle school in San Antonio, Texas in the '90's. Since 2006, I have been on a journey, first learning to use Web 2.0 and 21st Century Learning methods to create blended learning, and later seeking to develop greater skills through earning an Education Media Design Technology Masters online in 2011.
I spent the last year of my public school service supervising 7th through 12th grade students as they worked their way through online courses. It was also a good year for exploring the use of gamification in education and for brushing up my skills in a course in blended learning. 2014 marked the launch of Edubabel Online Learning; however, I took time off to improve my skills in creating media assets for online use so that I could better help teachers with that aspect of delivering online learning. Collaborating this year with the director of Heartwood Renaissance Academy means that together, Edubabel Online Learning and Heartwood Renaissance Academy can work to help parents who are teaching at home because of the COVID19 Pandemic. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to share the things I've learned with others and to delivering useful content to each of you from my new studio, Hiflyte Productions, LLC.
Some of my qualifications are listed here.
EDUCATION
Kalamazoo Valley Community College | http://www.kvcc.edu | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Currently completing Animation and Game Art AAS
In order to expand my skills in producing assets for online learning, I have been studying video production and animation. I have added skill in using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Premier, After Effects, and Audition to my repertoire. I have also been exploring Maya, ZBrush, Sketchfab and other software for creating 3D art and animation.
Full Sail University | http://www.fullsail.edu/ | Winter Park, Florida | From Jul 2010 to Jun 2011
Area of Study/Major: Education Media Design Technology Masters
The Education Media Design Technology Masters helps educators expand their skills in "...bridging the gap between traditional education and the ever-expanding realm of technology and media..." The program allows educators to develop the skills for creating immersive and interactive presentations. The EMDT Masters helps educators "to create, improve, and fully utilize an online curriculum and delivery system..." with the purpose of more fully engaging the learner and improving the learning experience. “ Quotes from www.fullsail.edu.
Western Michigan University | http://www.wmich.edu | Kalamazoo, Michigan | From Sep 1989 to May 1992
Area of Study/Major: Reading/Reading Specialist Masters
This masters degree program prepared candidates to serve as Reading Specialists in grades k-12. Training included assessment and diagnosis of reading difficulties as well as methods for helping k-12 students improve their reading skills. At this time I also added endorsement for Elementary Education.
Northern Michigan University | http://nmu.du | Marquette, Michigan | From Sep 1973 to May 1977
Area of Study/Major: Major: Speech (Communications & Theater), Minor: History
The BS degree included a major, Speech, with a strong emphasis in theater arts, and communication. I minored in history and earned Michigan Secondary Certification in those areas.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Hiflyte Productions, LLC
As President of this media production company, I am overseeing the Edubabel Online Learning web site and community on locals.com. Projects under Hiflyte include Edubabel Online Learning, , and Kids Incognito, a program for creating animations and games to enhance children's learning experience. I am also the web designer and media specialist for Union Hall Block Building, Inc., a 502(c)(3) dedicated to saving, restoring, and preserving a pre-Civil War building as an historic site. (Check out: www.unionhallblockbuildinginc.org )
Community Ed and Alternative High School Teacher | Sturgis Public Schools Community & Adult Education | Sturgis, Michigan | From September 1999 to June 2014
During 15 years with SPS, I spent 9 years teaching nighttime adult ESL classes and 6 years teaching nighttime GED prep classes. During this time I also served as Lead Teacher for a Middle School Expulsion program for 3 semesters, Academic Coordinator and Lead Teacher for Even Start for four years, and taught high social studies (history, civics, economics) for the Alternative High School (including two years with the ACES alternative program).
I Served one year as Adult Education Nighttime Supervisor: Responsible for running a program of about 180 adult students in Adult Basic Education, GED, and ESL classes. I was responsible for supervising five teaching staff, two GED test administrators, and the program secretary. I was also responsible for state mandated record keeping, assessments, gathering data to report as part of our program grant funding, and for working with PearsonVUE to make the transition from paper-pencil to online GED testing. I reported to the Community Ed Director and carried out any tasks necessary to both run and expand the nighttime Adult Ed program.
Glen Oaks Community College Part-time Faculty between 1996 and 1999
As a Reading Specialist, I taught remedial reading and English courses for new students who lacked adequate skills to perform well in regular college level classes. I also taught an introductory course for freshmen focused on becoming master students.
Middle School Reading Specialist | Northside Independent School District| San Antonio, Texas| From Sep 1992 to 1996
I Taught reading classes for 7th and 8th grade students in the lower 20% of reading achievement. I also Participated for two years in the Young Scientists Acquiring English grant project designed to help ESL students acquire reading and writing skills needed to succeed in science, math, English and reading classes with the goal of making careers in Science more accessible to them.
Parochial School Experience |Locust Grove Christian School & Trinity Lutheran School | Sturgis, Michigan| Between 1990 and 1992
Multi-grade assignments including 5-6th grade all subjects and 7-8th grade Science.
Rural School Experience | Brown County Schools | Nebraska and Michigan| Between 1979 and 1982
Districts 13, 9 and 20. Multi-grade classrooms, including K-6 one-room school, 7-8th 4-room school, and the upper room (grades 5-8) in a two-room schoolhouse. All subjects.
SKILLS
Use of 21st Century technology skills to support e-Proficiency: Advanced
Knowledge and use of Learning Management Systems, including Moodle, Blackboard Course Sites, and Schoology
Completed courses in:
Media Literacy and Research Methodologies
Multiple Learning Theory Applications
Training and Motivational Development
Emergent Technologies in a Collaborative Culture
Education Design and Evaluation
Digital Media and Education Applications
Music Theory & Education Applications
Filmmaking Principles and Education
Game Strategies and Motivation
Learning Management Systems and Organization
Media Asset Creation
Education Media Project Development (Capstone experience based on research)
Adobe Illustrator, Premier, After Effects, Audition, and Photoshop, as well as other software for creating educational media
Gamification course offered through Coursera
Certifications
Michigan Teaching Certificate Number: CC-UVV590244404
18 Hour Continuing (Secondary 7-8 all subjects) Issued 2/5/91
Speech (BD) grades 6-12 Issued 11/24/92
Reading Specialist (BR) grades K-12 Issued 11/24/92
History (CC) grades 6012 Issued 11/24/92
Elem. Education K-8 (all subjects) Issued 11/24/92
Previously certified in Texas (secondary) from 1992-1996 and in Nebraska 1979-1982
A Peek Into My Tech Journey
If you are curious about my journey as a teacher using technology in my classroom and for online learning, you may want to check out my old blog - Edubabel Notes on Blogspot. I was fortunate to teach in a district that offered a lot of training in the use of technology to its teachers. I can tell you, I took advantage of every opportunity to broaden my skills at using tech for learning. Sadly, when Google took over Blogspot I was no longer able to add to this blog. edubabel.blogspot.com/
If you are curious about my journey as a teacher using technology in my classroom and for online learning, you may want to check out my old blog - Edubabel Notes on Blogspot. I was fortunate to teach in a district that offered a lot of training in the use of technology to its teachers. I can tell you, I took advantage of every opportunity to broaden my skills at using tech for learning. Sadly, when Google took over Blogspot I was no longer able to add to this blog. edubabel.blogspot.com/