Areas of Focus: Visual Communication, Graphic Design, Typography, Interactive Media, Web & Mobile App Design/Prototyping Courses Taught: Graphic Design I and II, 2D Animation, Art Appreciation, Typography Activities: ASU Student Art Organization Faculty Advisor Education: Marcia Pearl earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design from Parsons School of Design in New York City and a Master of Professional Study in The Business of Art & Design from Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore Maryland. Experience: Prior to joining the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Alabama State University, she served as Visiting Professor of Graphic Design and Interactive Media at James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg Virginia. Her tenure at JMU was preceded by her appointment at the Visual Communication Department at Prince George's Community College in Largo Maryland. Teaching Philosophy Essential to my effectiveness as an educator is my ability to facilitate the needs of 21st Century learners and diverse student populations. My professional experience has prepared me to teach a diverse range of students with regard to gender, race, nationality, age, sexual orientation, religious and social economic backgrounds. Recognizing that many students are visual learners, I strive to deliver engaging instructional content. My classroom management and pedagogical methods are enhanced by technologies that enable me to manage disparate learning styles and resources. I also use scalable mobile resources to extend the learning experience beyond the physical walls of the classroom, making my classes accessible on Blackboard (Bb) and Canvas to support distance learning. Additionally, I often pair students with different skill sets and knowledge bases in group projects. Evidence of general improvement and better grades attest to the effectiveness of this collaborative approach. I’ve found an added benefit of this and other collaborative pedagogical methods is the fostering of "community” among students.