CV

Ms. M.E.T.

Megan Elder-Taylor

E-mail: meganeldertaylor(AT)gmail.com

This is a brief version of my CV, highlighting my experience in learner-centered pedagogies, collaborations, and integration of course material including critical and ethical thinking, research and information literacy, and written and oral communication.

Professional info

I am a socio-pragmatic linguist who focuses on rhetoric and the purposeful use of language to communicate. I enjoy teaching communication skills in oral and written forms and argumentation, which includes information literacy, critical thinking, and ethical considerations.

Unique Experiences in Courses Taught

Course focuses on critical thinking and information literacy as demonstrated through persuasive speech making and academic writing.
Collaboratively created a class based on the textbook I co-authored, CORE Handbook.
The class is currently taught asynchronously online and is expecting QM certification before December 2015.
Course activities teach critical thinking and oral and written communication skills by talking about current events in news or pop culture to keep students engaged in the material.
During the semester I am trading assignments to grade with another instructor in hopes of creating assessable data about class rigor and effective practices in the online context.

CORE 201: Topics in Ethical Inquiry "Critical Thinking About Media" – Fall 2015 online

Training Topics

Technology

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2010 - present

CORE 202: Topics in Ethical Inquiry "Accents, Dialects, and Stereotypes" – Spring 2011, Fall 2011, Spring, 2012, Fall 2012, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014, Fall 2014, Spring 2015 online, Fall 2015 online

Created nearly all course materials for a class based on the textbook I co-authored, CORE Handbook. Much of the course material has been shared with other CORE instructors throughout the past four years.
Began voluntary internal vetting for QA certification for the asynchronous online version of the course in June of 2015 and am starting the process for QM certification in November 2015. QM Certification for instructor and course expected December 2015.
Course activities teach critical thinking about ethical topics and teamwork by using case studies of ethical dilemmas from the news and encouraging well-researched debate on the topics. Assignments stress proficiency in academic writing and oral communication.

Course focuses on practical application of oral communication, particularly in the context of public speaking. Logic, argumentation, and information literacy are included in the course content.
Assignments were created to demonstrate skills in research, critical thinking, and use of ethos, pathos, and logos in speeches and writing.

COMS 114: Introduction to Public Speaking – Summer 2007, Fall 2007, Fall 2008, Spring 2009

B.S., Communication. Summa Cum Laude

My coursework focused on communication studies and applying theories of communication to a variety of contexts. My undergraduate research and publications were primarily focused on creating a standard of cirriculum for undergradate American Sign Language classes in the state of Virginia.

M.A., Linguistics. Magna Cum Laude

My coursework and research focused on the purposeful use of language and rhetoric. My research involved undergraduate writing and business communication genres.

Radford University

May 2001

University of South Carolina

August 2003

Education

Service to RU

Worked with a committee to design, compose, and edit the CORE Handbook
Teach fellow faculty how to utilize CATME in group focused courses 3
Share group activities, content, and grading rubrics with other instructors
Create hybrid courses so that students can get the most from classes using the technology available
Attend poster sessions for RU COMS and CORE classes to show support for the students presenting their information and to give them the opportunity to practice their question and answers skills with an audience.
Developed new course content for COMS 440: Listening and Nonverbal Communication
Worked throughout the summer of 2015 to ensure that both of my classes for CORE 201 and CORE 202 can be QM certified.

TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS

For information about professional training, presentations, and certifications, please click below

COMS 240: Teamwork and Group Communication – Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014

Developed a hybrid classroom experience for skills building as group communicators.
Course culminates in a final project to showcase skills in oral communication and researching, including conflict resolution, problem solving, and cohesion building in the group setting.
Final group assignment is designed to enhance students’ professional portfolios and ability to find employment. Several students were awarded competitive internships based on showcasing their work on assignments from this class.

Course focused on professional behavior and job seeking for upperclassmen.
Worked with Radford’s Human Resources director and individuals from Career Services to create mock hiring situations, which were noted to be extremely effective for the communicating course material.
Brought in expert guest speakers to work with students individually and in the class setting on life skills, such as budgeting and negotiating.
The active learning activities received praise from students and colleagues as being particularly informative and applicable to students’ lives.

COMS 416: Business and Professional Communication – Spring 2014

COMS 440: Listening and Nonverbal Behaviors – Spring 2014

Developed the course from scratch, including assessment goals and tools.
Used a graphic-heavy course format (mostly in the form of popular memes) that encouraged students to work with me to share material for the class.
Brought in substantial outside research and used it for creating activities that caused students to become more aware of the messages they are communicating and what is being communicated to them.
Worked with the RUABLE group to create a half day ropes course challenge to include practicing skills in listening and nonverbal communication in a fun and exciting environment.

LCI 300-500 Grammar, Listening, and Speaking; and Reading and Writing – Fall 2014 - Summer 2015

Created activities for college bound nonnative English speakers to practice and build skills in areas of academic level communication. Activities included campus field trips, guest speakers, and community service.
Courses included: research, APA citations and formatting, informative and persuasive speeches, outlining, achieving academic tone and voice, critical thinking, logic, cultural ethical norms, note taking, and western academic writing styles for academic audiences.
Student evaluations by every student in every class were 5/5.