Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
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I created this site to document my journey through this class as I learn the e-learning creation process. The site serves multiple purposes:
Learning Contract Repository: This page outlines my agreement with myself and the instructor about what I'll learn, how I'll approach it, and what I'll build to demonstrate my skills.
Progress Tracking: Through weekly journal entries, I'll track my development, challenges, breakthroughs, and evolving understanding of the tools I'm learning.
Project Showcase: As I build my final project, this site will host both the work-in-progress and the completed demonstration.
Resource Collection: I'll compile helpful resources, tutorials, and references that support my learning path.
Reflection Space: This site gives me a dedicated place to reflect on my learning process, what's working, what isn't, and how I might adjust my approach.
By maintaining this site throughout the course, I hope to not only satisfy the class requirements but also create a valuable record of my growth that I can reference in the future and potentially share with others interested in similar learning paths.
Educational Technology is about the thoughtful integration of technological tools, resources, and approaches to enhance learning experiences and outcomes. At its core, it explores how technology can be leveraged to:
Improve access to education by breaking down geographical, physical, and temporal barriers
Personalize learning experiences to accommodate different learning styles, paces, and needs
Engage learners more deeply through interactive, multimedia, and immersive content
Facilitate collaboration between students, educators, and broader learning communities
Provide immediate feedback to help students understand and improve their performance
Develop digital literacy skills essential for success in today's information-rich world
Educational Technology isn't simply about using the newest gadgets or software in classrooms. Rather, it involves critically examining how technology can solve educational challenges, support pedagogical goals, and create more effective, inclusive, and engaging learning environments.
As I explore my chosen tool(s) in this course, I'll be considering not just how to use the technology itself, but how it can meaningfully contribute to educational experiences and outcomes that wouldn't be possible without it.
I decided to major in Educational Technology as part of my long-term career transition plan. Currently working with the Federal government, I'm strategically preparing for my second career as an educator after retirement from public service.
Educational Technology offers me the perfect bridge between my current professional experience and my future teaching aspirations. By developing expertise in this field, I'll be equipped with modern teaching methodologies enhanced by technological tools, skills to create engaging learning environments, the ability to reach diverse student populations, and knowledge of cutting-edge educational practices that will make me competitive when I transition to teaching.
My federal career has given me valuable organizational skills, attention to detail, and experience working within structured systems. Educational Technology allows me to leverage these existing strengths while building specialized knowledge in education.
By pursuing this major now, while still employed with the federal government, I'm using this time strategically to build the foundation I'll need when I make my career transition. This forward-thinking approach will help ensure a smoother path to my teaching career and position me to make meaningful contributions to students' educational experiences from day one in the classroom.
Texas State University offers a compelling combination of academic excellence, vibrant campus life, and career preparation that makes it an excellent choice for many students. Here's why you should consider it:
Texas State provides strong academics with over 200 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across diverse disciplines. The university features distinguished faculty who are leaders in their fields and committed to student success through mentorship and research opportunities.
Located in San Marcos between Austin and San Antonio, the campus offers a beautiful setting with the iconic Old Main building overlooking the San Marcos River. This location provides access to two major metropolitan areas with abundant internship and employment opportunities while maintaining a college-town atmosphere.
The university emphasizes hands-on experience through research, internships, and service learning. With a diverse student body of approximately 38,000 students, Texas State creates a rich environment for cultural exchange and personal growth.
Texas State also offers competitive tuition rates and generous financial aid packages, making quality education accessible. Alumni consistently report high employment rates and strong career placement, demonstrating the real-world value of a Texas State degree.
San Marcos offers a unique blend of natural beauty, college-town energy, and strategic location that makes it special:
The crown jewel is the San Marcos River, which flows through campus with crystal-clear 72-degree water year-round. It's perfect for swimming, tubing, kayaking, and studying by the shore. The city is also home to numerous parks and natural areas including Spring Lake Natural Area and Purgatory Creek.
Despite being a mid-sized city, San Marcos has a vibrant downtown with local restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and a lively music scene. The city hosts regular events like the Mermaid Festival, Farmers Markets, and Art Squared that create a strong sense of community.
Its location along the I-35 corridor between Austin (30 minutes north) and San Antonio (45 minutes south) gives residents the perfect balance - small-town character with easy access to big-city amenities, internships, and entertainment.
The cost of living is more affordable than nearby Austin, making it attractive for students and young professionals. The city also has a growing tech and business sector, with proximity to both the Austin tech scene and the Texas Innovation Corridor.
San Marcos embraces its cultural heritage with influences from Mexican, German, and indigenous cultures visible throughout local cuisine, architecture, and community celebrations.
Yes, Texas State University offers both in-person and online classes, providing flexibility to meet different student needs and learning preferences.
For in-person instruction, Texas State offers traditional face-to-face classes across its San Marcos and Round Rock campuses. These classes provide direct interaction with professors and peers in classroom settings.
The university also offers several online options:
Fully online degree programs in various disciplines
Individual online courses that can be taken as part of an otherwise in-person degree
Hybrid courses that combine online and in-person elements
Texas State has invested significantly in its online learning infrastructure, ensuring that remote students have access to quality instruction, digital resources, and virtual support services. The university uses Canvas as its learning management system for both online and in-person courses.
Many programs offer evening and weekend classes as well, accommodating working professionals and students with other commitments. The university continues to expand its online offerings to meet increasing demand for flexible educational options.
Texas State University holds a respectable position among Texas universities, though rankings can vary depending on the specific metrics and ranking systems used.
In general, Texas State is considered a top-tier regional university in the Southwest. While it may not rank as high as flagship institutions like UT Austin or Texas A&M in comprehensive rankings, it performs strongly in several specialized areas.
Notable strengths include:
The McCoy College of Business is recognized for its quality programs, particularly in accounting and entrepreneurship
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication has a strong reputation in Texas media circles
The university's creative writing program is highly regarded nationally
Texas State is classified as an "R2: Doctoral University – High Research Activity" by the Carnegie Classification system, reflecting its growing research profile. This places it in the same category as universities like Baylor and Texas Tech.
The university has been gaining ground in recent years with increasing admission standards, expanded research initiatives, and improved retention rates. While it may not yet compete with the highest-ranked Texas universities, it offers excellent value - providing quality education at a more affordable price point than many comparable institutions.
For specific program rankings, it's worth checking the most recent discipline-specific evaluations from sources like U.S. News & World Report or specialized accreditation bodies in your field of interest.
Texas State University offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs across diverse disciplines. Here's an overview:
Undergraduate Programs:
College of Applied Arts: Programs in criminal justice, family and consumer sciences, agriculture, and more
McCoy College of Business Administration: Degrees in accounting, finance, management, marketing, and computer information systems
College of Education: Teacher preparation programs and degrees in exercise and sports science
College of Fine Arts and Communication: Programs in art, music, theatre, dance, communication studies, and journalism
College of Health Professions: Degrees in nursing, respiratory care, radiation therapy, and health administration
College of Liberal Arts: Programs spanning English, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, and more
College of Science and Engineering: Degrees in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, and physics
Graduate Programs:
Master's degrees across most disciplines offered at the undergraduate level
Doctoral programs including:
Ph.D. programs in areas like education, criminal justice, mathematics, and geography
Ed.D. in developmental education
D.P.T. (Doctor of Physical Therapy)
Au.D. (Doctor of Audiology)
The university also offers certificate programs, minors, and interdisciplinary studies options that allow students to customize their educational experience. Many programs feature specialized tracks or concentrations to prepare students for specific career paths.
Texas State continues to expand its program offerings, particularly in high-demand fields like health sciences, technology, and business analytics. The university also provides online and hybrid options for many programs to accommodate diverse student needs.
Life for a typical undergraduate freshman at Texas State University is a blend of academic engagement, social opportunities, and new experiences.
Most freshmen live in one of the on-campus residence halls, with popular options including San Jacinto, Blanco, and Bobcat Village. Living on campus places students within walking distance of classes, dining facilities, and recreational areas. Many freshmen participate in learning communities that group students with similar interests or majors together.
Academically, freshmen typically take a mix of core curriculum classes and introductory courses in their intended major. The first year includes University Seminar (US 1100), a course designed to help students transition to college life and develop essential skills. The Alkek Library becomes a second home for many during study sessions.
The social scene revolves around numerous activities. Many freshmen attend Bobcat athletic events, especially football games at Bobcat Stadium, where the "Bobcat Roar" and other traditions create a sense of community. The first few weeks feature events like Bobcat Preview and organization fairs where students can explore over 300 student organizations.
Daily life often includes meals at Jones Dining Hall or The Den, workouts at the Student Recreation Center, and hanging out at The Quad - the central campus gathering space. Many freshmen cool off in the San Marcos River during warmer months, which flows through campus with a constant 72-degree temperature.
Time management becomes an important skill as freshmen balance classes, study time, social activities, and possibly part-time jobs. Many utilize campus resources like the Writing Center, Math Lab, and Personalized Academic and Career Exploration (PACE) office for academic support.
While this experience creates a strong foundation, many students look forward to moving off-campus in later years to explore the San Marcos community more fully.
Texas State University has produced a number of notable alumni across various fields. Here are some of the university's most famous graduates:
Entertainment and Arts:
Lyndon B. Johnson - 36th President of the United States (attended when it was Southwest Texas State Teachers College)
George Strait - Country music legend known as the "King of Country"
Powers Boothe - Emmy Award-winning actor known for roles in "Deadwood" and "24"
Randy Rogers - Country music artist and founder of the Randy Rogers Band
Charles Austin - Olympic gold medalist in high jump
Sports:
Paul Goldschmidt - MLB All-Star first baseman
Darryl Morris - Former NFL cornerback
David Bailiff - Former Rice University head football coach
Jeff Foster - Former NBA player for the Indiana Pacers
Clint Killough - Former NFL player
Business and Media:
Bill Moyers - Renowned journalist, political commentator and former White House Press Secretary
Heloise Bowles Cruse - Syndicated household hints columnist "Hints from Heloise"
Tomás Rivera - Chicano author and educator who became chancellor of UC Riverside
Walter Richter - Former Texas State Senator and university administrator
Don Anders - Former deputy director of the Secret Service
The university also boasts numerous alumni who have made significant contributions in education, science, politics, and community leadership throughout Texas and beyond. Many serve as superintendents, principals, business leaders, and public officials carrying forward the university's educational mission.