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WikiEducator is
My Profile
Professional Background
Hello all. My name is Ludmilla Smirnova. I am an Associate Professor at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY. I came to the U.S. from Russia 9 years ago. I grew up, got my education in Russia. I was Dean of School of Foreign Languages at Volgograd State Pedagogical University. My school is celebrating its 60th anniversary in October. Here is the picture of me among other four deans of the school - now the Institute of Foreign Languages. Volgograd State Pedagogical University/ Institute of Foreign Languages Scroll down the page to see the photo, look and guess where I am among the 3 women on the picture.
Education
I graduated from:
- Volgograd State Pedagogical University (VSPU) in 1977 with the specialization in Teaching English and German.
- The VSPU Ph.D Post Graduate School in 1987.
I continued my learning by doing:
- In May of 1987 I successfully defended my theses in Pedagogical Theory and Practice in the Russian Academy of Pedagogical Science in Moscow and continuted working at the Department of Pedagogics at VSPU. I taught theoretical courses in Pedagogy and Methodology of teaching, led practical seminars in the Art of Teaching, supervised student teaching and the research diploma work of the graduate students. I was also responsible for the study abroad programs of the University.
- In 1994 I was unanimously (students, faculty, and veteran professors, etc.) elected Dean of School of Foreign Languages and worked in this position till 2000.
- In May, 2000 I was enrolled in the 3 year Post Doctorate School at VSPU with the 75% completed research proposal in Comparative Studies in Education and in July of 2000 I moved to the U.S.
I am an active learner. Back in Russia, I attended numerous seminars, such as Business Management, led by the America Businessman Charles Clark, Positive Therapy conducted by a German pshychologist, etc. I was interested in the humanistic systems of education and got excited about Montessori method. I immediately requested to give me an opportunity to visit Montessori schools and Montessori Training Center in Nijmegen, Holland where I was invited to teach Russian and prepare a group of 12 students to come to Russia for their Internship on Social work. I got my Montessori training in May-June of 1994 in Ahrnem, NL and in July-August in Montessori Center of Chesterfield Day school in Saint Luis and on my return to my native city I opened 2 schools of Montessori. It was a long-term project with 2 principals of the schools in two different districts of the city. Both schools are flourishing and still represent the innovative approaches in teaching in my city, back in Russia. Exploring Montessori education allowed me discovering my own philosophy of teaching. I am a constructivist and a collaborator. That's why I embraced technology and excelled in this field.
Professional Experience
Visit My web page on the MSMC website
My Latest Publications
Personal
Family
- I am married to a wonderful person - Michael Edelstein. He opened America for me. Michael is my co-thinker, collaborator, and an inspiration. We share our love for teaching and research. Mike supports me in my educational initiatives and projects.
- I have two sons, Boris and Ruslan. Both of my sons are "digital natives." They grew up with computers, Internet, and art. They both are computer artists and web designers.
Boris lives in the U.S., he is married, has a wonderful wife, Mia, and a precious daughter, Aliyah.
Soon, in November, their family will increase in one more person. It is a boy!
Boris and Ruslan share their love for technology with me.
Boris works at the Metropolitan Museum of Arts in a web development team. He is a web developer. Boris has a website Artiststranger.com where he shares his love to Digital Graphics, Art and web design.
My other son, Ruslan, is still in struggling Russia. He owns his design business Design history. It is very difficult for him to maintain his company because of economical instability in Russia but he is surviving with our help.
My Passions
Love for Teaching
Travels
Venice Adventures
Family Events
Michael's Big Birthday
Aliyah Grows
My Presentations
Presenting at the conference in Veracruz, Mexico 08
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Web 2.0 for Teachers, Literacy Conference, 2008
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Pedagogy, Technology and Course redesign, CAE conference, Fairfield, CT
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Engaging learning with technology.
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Chairing Session at EduLearn 09, Barcelona
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Conducting a Professional Development Day on Campus, May 09
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MSMC Smartboard workshop, April,09
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Electronic Projects
My Blog
My Pre-WE Wikis
Creating with Web 2.0 Tools
- Tutorials with Screencast-o-matic
My WE Learning Experience
My WE Learning Contract
Teaching with WE in Mind
WiZiQ WE Session
Moodle WE Workshop Development
I was invited by Nellie Deutsch to co-design and facilitate the Moodle workshop on WikiEducator and on Integrating Technology: Exploring New Domains Moodle site
My Sandbox
My sandbox
Tip Collection
Activity
Learn How to add Images:
- Prepare an image file to upload. NB! Keep the size 200px.
- Go to the WE left sidebar and find the link "Upload the file."
- Hit Browse, upload the file and follow further instructions.
- Copy the image name: it can be in one of the formats provided on the WE Upload File Page
- Get back to the page where you want to add your picture.
- Hit Edit and then hit Image icon in the toolbar and
- Insert the name of your image file Image:Copied image file name.jpg
- It is done! Enjoy!
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Web Resources
| My Favorite Web 2.0 Tools
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Why WikiEducator?
My understanding of WE
"WE" for me is not just the abbreviation of WikiEducator. It is a metaphor for learning in OER. We learn from each other, support each other, inspire and boost each other's professional esteem.
Reflections and Feedback
My WE Reflections
Since my exploration of Maria Montessori, J. Piaget, L. Vygotsky, and later J. Bruner, S. Pappert and other educators I felt I belonged to the constructivist/progressivist school of thought! I follow its principles in my teaching philosophy.
My current studies are around teaching and learning with technology. I quickly realized that the new emergent technologies are based on the premise of constructivism and connectionism. The WikiEducator's environment reflects just that. People create things, share, collaborate, teach each other and at the same time actively learn.
Feedback & Notes from my WikiNeighbours
Hi Ludmila. I couldn't wait to check out your user page after that great introduction you gave! This page is great! I can learn a lot from you and this user page. All the best to you, and thanks. Rebecca --Rkinakin 21:26, 2 September 2009 (UTC)
( : Hi Ludmilla! Thanks for your comments on my pages. It is great to know about your work. All the best! -- Ramesh Sharma 14:25, 2 September 2009)
(: Hi there Ludmilla - great page! It is so interesting to read your page - what an inspiration you are to your students. --Mary Robinson)
(: Thank you Mary for stopping by! You are an inspiration yourself! Ludmilla)
- Very nice to meet you in the online class yesterday (Research 2.0). It is a very warm and fuzzy community. --Phil Bartle 07:25, 2 September 2009 (UTC)
Thanks for facilitating.
- Thank you Phil for your kind words! The pleasure was all mine! It is rewarding to be part of this community!--Ludmila Smirnova
- Excellent start, Ludmilla. I started your info box so you can continue. --Nellie Deutsch 01:11, 26 August 2009 (UTC)
(: You are faster than lightning! Excellent work, Ludmilla. You will soon be awarded the UPE. --Nellie Deutsch 20:34, 26 August 2009 (UTC))
- Wow, Ludmila, I love what I see. I guess you won't have time for our google chats,anymore. :)--Nellie Deutsch 04:37, 26 August 2009 (UTC)
- I like your page it's great start Ludmilla if you need any help just ask me -- Rima 11:54, 26 August 2009 (UTC)
- Thanks Rima! It inspires!--Dr. Ludmila Smirnova
(: Welcome Ludmilla. Keep adding. You are picking up really fast. We are all here to help you learn more. Warm wishes. --Gita_ Mathur 05:13, 27 August 2009 (UTC))
- Thanks Gita for the encouragement!--Dr. Ludmila Smirnova
- You have a wonderful page Ludmilla. All the best Janet--Janet Bianchini 16:34, 1 September 2009 (UTC)
- It is so wonderful to feel the support from co-learners and facilitators! Thanks Janet!--Ludmila
(: Hi Ludmilla thanks for your kind comments on my page. This is very impressive - I will add some more projects too I think. In 2007 I went from Beijing, through Mongolia and Irkutsk to Moscow on the train. What a beautiful country with so many nice people. Hope to visit again one day. I'm a big Moodler too --Richardnz 05:54, 2 September 2009 (UTC))
- Happy to hear that you enjoyed visiting Russia, Richard! Hope you will visit it again.--Ludmila Smirnova
- Hello Ludmila, it's so fascinating to read about you. Thank you for sharing =). --Gladys Gahona 06:52, 2 September 2009 (UTC)
- Thank you Gladys! Sharing is caring! It is a pleasure to learn from you! --Dr. Ludmila Smirnova 07:19, 2 September 2009 (UTC)
You may wish to check the schedule and layout of the workshop and introduce yourself.
- Click on the link EL4C29.
- The page that will open is the workshop page with all the links you will be using during the workshop.
- See your name in the list of participants.
- Whenever you have time click on each of the boxes.
- You may even start with Day 1 activities.
- Enjoy the workshop.
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