I live in Inyokern, California, which is located at the base of the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains. I share my life with a mad scientist and eight wonderful and quickly growing children (Andy, 21; Kymberly, 19; Emilee, 12; Rachel, 11; Cassie, 11; Matt, 10; Gabe, 8; and Adam, 3). We have about a dozen goats, a flock of chickens that lay blue and green eggs, a golden retriever, a Queensland Heeler, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and 7 cats (at last count). To say the least, it’s a zoo around here!
I completed my MA in Educational Technology from Pepperdine University in July 2003. My main focus was researching how to foster communities of practice in my classes and among the faculty that I mentor. I enjoyed all of my courses, but felt like I gained the most from the Leadership and Technology, Mentoring, and Managing Technologies for Changes classes. I was asked to continue my affiliation with Pepperdine by facilitating the “Introduction to Distributed Learning Environments” course that introduces the new cadre of students to the program each summer. Last summer marked the 5th year I have been associated with that program and it has been one of the best academic adventures I have ever been honored to be a part of!
One of my latest projects at Cerro Coso involves LEGO Robotics. LEGO? In college? Heck ya! LEGO robotics addresses the STEM standards (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), inspires reflective thinking, problem solving, and finding creative solutions. It gives students real world experience in computer programming and collaborative team work. It just doesn’t get any better than that! Last spring we did a robotics demonstration for local high school kids, took on a challenge in the intro to computers class, and showed 5th graders that college can be a lot of fun. I was part of the LEGO NXT pilot program for the fall 2006 semester that tested the new NXT curriculum created by Carnegie Mellon University. I applied for $9000 college grant to buy more robotics equipment and we have launched the Abandon Lego Rescue Effort in an effort to collect legos that aren’t being used anymore. We have plenty of friends for them to play with here!
In my spare time I like to read (Vonnegut, Irving, and many others). My current book is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. I also like to go 4-wheeling, geocaching, hiking, and camping. Of course anything techy gets me pretty excited as well!
For more info about my professional life, please visit http://www.collegeteacher.org/portfolio. My academic blog is at http://codecrunchers.wordpress.com.
Contact Me:
760-384-6171
debbyk@gmail.com
AIM: fourhweb
MSN Messenger: profkilburn@hotmail.com (NOT email)
Yahoo: dkilburn
ICQ: 127174826
Skype: profkilburn
iChat: profkilburn
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Second Life: Kilgore Antelope
