Lawrence J. Bruce

Teacher: Social Studies, Web Design // Union City Community Schools // 430 St. Joseph Street, Union City, MI // 517-741-3346

Student: Educational Psychology Educational Technology PhD // Michigan State University  //  lawrencebruce.us  //  lawrence.j.bruce@gmail.com // 269-425-1198

Education

PhD in Educational Psychology and Educational Technology from Michigan State University in progress

Master of Arts in Educational Technology from Michigan State University in August 2008

Certificate in Educational Technology from Michigan State University in April 2007

Bachelor of Science in Education (Secondary Emphasis) from Central Michigan University in 2005, with a major in Social Studies and a Minor in History. Graduated Cum Laude (3.55 GPA)

 

Areas of Research Interest

It is the intention of the research degree to explore the impact of online collaborative learning environments on student learning and achievement and gain an understanding of how to develop instructional pedagogy toward this end and design professional development to increase such practices in classrooms.

 

Teaching Experience

Classroom teacher at Union City Middle School, teaching 8th grade U.S. History, from 2005 to 2009 (also taught Psychology in the high school during this time). Moved in Fall of 2009 to Union City High School to teach 9th grade U.S. History, 10th grade World Studies, and Psychology. Currently teaching 9th grade U.S. History, 10th grade World Studies, and Web Design.

 

Additional School Roles

JV Football Coach, Union City High School, 2007-2009 (Head Coach, 2008-2009; Assistant Coach under Joe Tinervia, 2007); 7th Grade Boy’s Basketball Coach, Union City Middle School, 2005-2007; 8th Grade Quiz Bowl Advisor, Union City Middle School, 2005-2008

 

Presentations

Presented "What Can Wikis DO For Your Classroom?" at the annual Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning Conference in March, 2011. The session provided the attendees with an essential perspective on the purpose behind the use of a wiki as a classroom web site. Once purpose has been defined, a teacher can design the pages according to the purpose and increase the effectiveness and utility of the wiki.

Presented “Using Wikis in the Classroom” to the Department of History at Michigan State University for a monthly “Lunch and Learn” on February 10, 2011. This was an informal session intended to open dialogue on pedagogical practices, new technologies to aid in teaching, and to encourage faculty to reassess their teaching effectiveness.

Presented “Making Wikis WORK For Your Classroom” at the annual Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning Conference in March, 2010. The well-attended session illustrated several examples of a classroom wiki that serves as the sole online environment and workspace. 

Presented “Using Wikispaces in Innovative Ways for History” at the annual Michigan Council for History Education Conference in November, 2009 with Bonnie Garbrecht of the Battle Creek Schools Consortium Teaching American History Grant.

Presented “Teaching History with Technology” at a workshop organized by the Battle Creek Schools Consortium Teaching American History Grant in January, 2009. The purpose of the presentation was to promote the use of web publishing technology and social media education in history education.

 

Works in Progress

Development of an extensive and expansive wiki for collaborative classroom use including a daily calendar, a curriculum guide, and individual student portfolio pages to which students posted links to work connected directly to state High School Content Expectations. The wiki has been used exclusive of other course management systems in order to foster a communal connectivity to the online environment without interference from other systems. The wiki platform was designed to facilitate all classroom work and efforts. Visit mrbruceshistory.wikispaces.com

 

Related Professional Experience

Active proponent of the initiative to pilot and implement a one-to-one student to laptop ratio for all Union City Middle and High School students in grades 7-12. Assisted in the training of students and teachers on management and instructional strategies to facilitate the new technology.

Participant in a Teaching American History Turning Points Project facilitated by the Battle Creek Schools Consortium. Organized by Bonnie Garbrecht, the program demanded intense and rigorous study and production in a collaborative and technology-driven environment. Membership in the Turning Points project has provided an opportunity to connect content specific professional development with relevant technology tools to increase productivity and efficiency within and across professional learning groups.

Member of the Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) since 2008.

 

Other

Classroom wiki was featured by Wikispaces, the leading provider of wikis in education. The feature included my response to a series of questions related to the creation, evolution, and purpose of the wiki, as well as sharing tips with visitors. (http://goo.gl/NephA)

Classroom wiki was selected by Wikispaces, a leading provider of wikis in education, on which to profile for their 5th birthday blog post. The post intended to profile “a few people who’ve done some truly excellent things in the past year” (http://goo.gl/3PBj).

An online professional portfolio is available: http://goo.gl/iSN5