Prof. Hiramys Santiago Ramírez
English Department Chair at UPR Aguadilla
Academics: My Vocation
I love my job. There's nothing like helping college students become professionals. Acting as an agent of change while they learn and grow. Providing them with the tools and watching them open their minds to the limitless possibilities for a full life. It's a trip!!
At UPR Aguadilla, the English Department offers a BA in Teaching English as a Second Language at the Elementary or Secondary Level with Multimedia Technology. I'm currently acting as Interim Director of the department, which means less time in the classroom. However, I'm usually lucky enough to be able to teach my two loves: literature and technology. Every semester, I teach Introduction to Literature classes to students from our department as well as for other students who enjoy reading. In these classes we go over the short story, drama, poetry, and the essay as literature.
My second love, technology, is a great source of satisfaction since the English Majors are required to take at least three TEED classes, but most choose to do five so they can apply for a Certificate as Resource in Technology from The Department of Education of PR. As the only professor teaching the TEED classes I get to know the students well and establish a relationship with them. Since they take these classes in their third and fourth year, this is where I witness their transformation into professionals ready to go into the classroom as ESL Specialists.
As Director, it is also my pleasure to help and guide the students all the way to the end of their Clinical Experiences in an Educational Environment and all the way to graduation.
Please look below for a list of classes and brief descriptions for them:
INGL 3221: Introduction to Literature, Part 1
The goals of the course are: to provide students with the skills, knowledge and attitudes related to literature that will enable them to read, understand, and appreciate literature in the English language; and to create in the students an enduring desire to read literature
INGL 3222: Introduction to Literature, Part 2
The goals of the course are: to provide students with the skills, knowledge and attitudes related to literature that will enable them to read, understand, and appreciate literature in the English language; and to create in the students an enduring desire to read literature
TEED 4018: Introduction to Computers in Education
This course is an introduction to the integration of computers in education. The course will emphasize the following:
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Evolution and impact of computers in education.
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Theories that support the integration of technology in education.
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Aspects to consider when designing a lesson that integrates technology.
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Research conducted in the integration of technology in education.
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Selecting and evaluating educational computer programs.
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Hands on practice with various educational computer programs.
TEED 3035: Integration of Telecommunications in the Classroom
This course is a study of the use of Telecommunications for the enhancement of the teaching process. The basic information will be acquired through lectures and practical exercises for identifying, finding, and exchanging information. Special attention will be paid to appropriate vocabulary, equipment, and instructional strategies a teacher may use in long distance education.
TEED 3045: Telecommunications for Education II - Design of Instructional Projects and Web Pages
Analyzes the benefits that collaborative on-line projects have for educators and students. Students will design instructional projects and develop web pages using telecommunications.
TEED 4020: Computer Assisted Instruction
This course provides the student with the opportunity to produce an instructional lesson to be used on the computer using the language of Hypercard and Hypertalk. The student will apply the principles of instructional design and visual literacy in the development of the lesson. He/she can prepare a tutorial, a demonstration, or a practice exercise using various instructional activities.
TEED 4038: Productivity Programs for Microcomputers
The principal goal of the course is to familiarize students with software that will assist them in administrative tasks.
TEED 4045: Administration of Computer Laboratories
Development of the administrative competencies necessary in order to carry out the common activities of a school computer laboratory: prepare inventories, buy equipment and materials, plan and organize seminars, prepare budgets, and evaluate and integrate materials to the curriculum of elementary and secondary schools.