LDT 7940 | Unit 2 | Scott Winter

End Learner Descriptions

LDT 1000 | GUIDE TO FIELD TRIP PLANNING

LEARNING SCENARIO
A new 1000-level course on creativity and design-awareness, focusing on the city of Detroit, is being added to the
curriculum of Metropolitan University. Although based in the College of Education’s Instructional Technology
Department, the course will be open to all undergraduates.

As a new offering, the introductory course will be taught by a rotation of IT faculty, based on student demand. The
curriculum includes multiple, off-site, field trips that introduce logistical challenges more traditional instruction does
not. Those most involved in establishing and managing field trip logistics, and the instructional connection to the
curriculum, include university professors, administrators, and graduate teaching assistants.

EXPERIENCED PROFESSOR
Name: Daniel Affendi
Age: 42
Ethnicity: Malaysian
Family Status: Married, 3 children (2 girls, ages 14 and 12, and a boy, age 9). Daniel’s wife,
Arlene, works as an occupational therapist in Dearborn, MI.
Education: Ph.D., Teaching & Learning, Vanderbilt University, Nashville

Job: Professor, Instructional Technology, College of Education, Metropolitan University,

Detroit

Responsibilities: In addition to his research and grant management, Dr. Affendi currently teaches two graduate
courses and two under-graduate courses, including:
• Background, Issues and Trends in Instructional Technology
• Advanced Instructional Design, Theory and Research
• Advanced Seminar in Instructional Technology (undergraduate)
• Instructional Design (undergraduate)

Academic Interests: Dr. Affendi’s graduate work focused on learning, teaching and diversity, with a specialization in
learning and design. His primary research focus includes recognizing how race, gender, and economic inequality
shape both the what and how of learning. His research examines how people learn (or not) in existing social,
cultural, and political contexts. His current focus is on the effects of disruption on systems and ideologies of social
inequality through the design of equitable and just opportunities to learn.

Personal Interests: Dr. Affendi spends the majority of his free time keeping up with his children’s many activities. In
addition, he enjoys gardening and taking his mountain bike on off road trails around southeastern Michigan.

Quotes: “I enjoy my time with undergrads because they seem to invest so much in their experience.” “I think it’s great
to try new things.” “I hate to waste my time.” “My wife says I’m bad with details. She may be right.”
EXPERIENCED ADMINISTRATOR
Name: Lisbeth Mazur
Age: 34
Ethnicity: White
Family Status: Divorced, 1 son (age 7). Sole custody.
Education: M.S.W., Social Work, Grand Valley State University, MI; Ed.S., Central
Michigan University

Job: Senior Administrative Support, Instructional Technology, Metropolitan University

Responsibilities: Supporting the needs of department faculty and students while maintaining the university’s
administrative protocols for the office of Instructional Technology.

Academic Interests: Lisbeth completed an Educational Specialist degree with a focus on K-12 instructional
supervision and leadership. Her field-based capstone project introduced her to issues impacting student transition
to higher education. In her staff role at MU, Lisbeth is most interested in assisting with issues of student recruitment
and student retention. She is considering pursuing an Ed.D. In addition to her administrative duties, Lisbeth
currently serves on the university’s Women’s Committee.

Personal Interests: While considering her future academic pursuits, Lisbeth devotes the majority of her personal
time to her son and his social and academic achievement. As a single mother of a school-age son, Lisbeth considers
time-management her most significant challenge., although she does make space for engaging in outdoor activities
and mom’s groups.

Quote: “I think it’s refreshing when we try new things.” “There is definitely a limit to how much work I can take on for
these faculty, but sometimes it’s impossible to say no.” “If we had a system and people learned to follow it, we’d all
be a lot happier, or at least I would.”

ADJUNCT FACULTY
Name: Naomi Benta
Age: 28
Ethnicity: Afro-Caribbean
Family Status: Single
Education: Ph.D., Educational Psychology and Educational Technology, Michigan State
University; M.A., Educational Psychology, University of Michigan

Job: Adjunct faculty, Instructional Technology, Metropolitan University, Detroit

Responsibilities: In addition to working three-quarter time in the General Motors Technical Center training
department in Warren, MI, Dr. Benta currently teaches four classes for Metropolitan University, including:
• Instructional Design (undergraduate)
• Engaging Presentation and Facilitation Strategies (undergraduate)
• Digital Video for Learning (undergraduate)
• Message Design and Display

Academic Interests: A former professional graphic designer, Dr. Benta’s dissertation examined the influence of
critical self-reflection and rational compassion on creativity and problem-solving. While she enjoys her job in
automotive training, Dr. Benta dreams of being a fulltime professor. For now, however, she is careful to limit her
investment in Metropolitan University to what her adjunct salary covers.
Personal Interests:
A long-time Detroiter, Dr. Benta is excited by the opportunities of the city’s current renaissance but is concerned
about gentrification overtaking elements of the city’s “soul.” She enjoys her neighborhood near Banglatown and is
fixing up a house, very slowly.

Quotes:
“I like teaching. I just wished it paid the bills.” “I’ve learned the hard way that I’ve got to watch my hours. Until I’m an
actual professor, I can only commit so much.” “I never expected education to become part of the gig economy!” “I
wonder if other people see the city the way I do?”

GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT

Name: Marcus Wright
Age: 23
Ethnicity: Black
Family Status: Single
Education: Ph.D. candidate; MEd, Metropolitan University, Detroit

Job: Teaching assistant. Maximum of 20 hours per week.

Responsibilities: Support the Instructional Technology department by teaching courses at the undergraduate level,
as needed.

Academic Interests: Marcus has focused his studies and research on learning design. He has recently become
interested in issues surrounding learning, instruction, and diversity. Marcus hopes to become an assistant professor
in the field of instructional technology, upon the completion of his Ph.D.

Personal Interests: A life-long Detroiter, Marcus has a love for the city that encompasses its history, music, and
sports. He is also an accomplished ceramist and supports the Pewabic Pottery studio as a volunteer. He enjoys the
creative outlet and the connection it provides to the city’s cultural history. Despite his strength in pottery, Marcus is
still exploring what it means to be a “designer.”

Quotes: “I’m a juggler. That’s what I tell people who ask what I do.” “I’m not always sure the professors understand
what they’re asking.” “My job is to say yes and then figure it out.” “Until I get more experience, I follow the syllabus
and try and teach like the person who developed it.” “I’m looking forward to completing my Ph.D. and getting on
with it.”