Headshot of Megan with face partially hidden behind book

Hello, I'm Megan.

Anthropologist - Educator - Web Developer

I love exploring how the web can best be utilized in teaching, learning, and higher education, as well as cultivating a deeper understanding more generally of how the web influences people and cultures (and vice versa) in order to drive positive change in the world. I am always seeking opportunities to teach, consult, research, learn, and facilitate my own and others' professional growth.

Web Development

As a higher ed web professional...

I create compelling web content and user experiences, craft cogent information architecture, and develop effective content strategy to drive institutional growth and success. And I enjoy teaching others to do the same. I love empowering others to become web creators.

Interests

  • Information Architecture
  • Content Creation
  • Content Strategy
  • UX Design
  • User/Usability Testing
  • Analytics
  • Marketing
  • Teaching/Training
Screenshot of Megan's Quote Board, WATS 4030 capstone project
Screenshot of WATS 1000 video project
Screenshot of API Superstore website
Screenshot of Weather Cats Angular App
Screenshot of User Science Journal
Screenshot of the website for Bella Capelli Salon

Curriculum Vitae

  • Web Development Certificate, School of New and Continuing Studies, Seattle University, 2018
  • Master of Arts (MA) in Cultural Anthropology, Western Washington University, 2011
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Cultural Anthropology, Minor in Psychology, Western Washington University, 2005
  • Otis, M. M. (2017). Listening to Students: Finding My Voice in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. College Teaching and Learning for Change: Students and Faculty Speak Out: p. 214. Miller, M. A. (Ed.). New York: Routledge.
  • Otis, M. M. (2011). Engaging and Empowering Students in the Culture of Higher Education: A “Native” Analysis of Students’ Experiences in the Teaching-Learning Academy. Unpublished Master's Thesis. Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA.
  • Otis, M. M. (2010). Listening to Students: Finding My Voice in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Change Magazine 42(3):51.
  • Murphy, M., Otis, M., Espinoza-Gonzalez, D., Powell, C., & Trujillo, S. (2010). Student Voices on ISSOTL09. The International Commons 5(1):30-31.
  • Werder, C, & Otis, M. M. eds. (2010). Engaging Student Voices in the Study of Teaching and Learning. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
  • Otis, M. M., & Hammond, J. D. (2010). Participatory Action Research as a Rationale for Student Voices in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. In Engaging Student Voices in the Study of Teaching and Learning. Werder, C. & Otis, M. M. (Eds.). Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
  • Werder, C, & Otis, M. M. (2010). Not the Conclusion: Moving from Engaging to Sustaining Student Voices. In Engaging Student Voices in the Study of Teaching and Learning Werder, C. & Otis, M. M. (Eds.). Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
  • Teaching, training, and dialogue facilitation
  • Collaborative inquiry and co-authorship
  • Writing, editing, and public speaking
  • Qualitative research
    • Participant observation
    • Interviewing
    • Focus Groups
    • Participatory action research
    • Content analysis

About

I am the mother of two mischievious fur babies, and a member of the "auntie brigade" with one niece-by-relation and many nieces and nephews "by choice."

I love to rock out to the Hamilton soundtrack or classic rock, and listen to NPR podcasts during my morning commute to keep me sane.

I'm a Seattle sports fan, an ex-barista with a major coffee addiction, a proud geek, and a bibliophile who loves historical fiction, time travel, and has a major Harry Potter obsession. (Ravenclaw for life!)

Close-up of Megan's two cats
Copyright © Megan M. Otis 2018

Megan's Quote Board

Screenshot of Megan's Quote Board, WATS 4030 Capstone Project

I created this single page web app as my capstone project for WATS 4030 with Vue.JS, Bootstrap-Vue, and the Firebase API.

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Some quick UX and UI Tips for Better eLearning

Screenshot of WATS 1000 video project

I created this short video using PowToon for my final project in WATS 1000 (the first course in my Web Development Certificate program) to showcase the research I did on applying User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) principles to an eLearning context.

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API Superstore

Screenshot of API Superstore website

I created this as my final project for WATS 1010 (part of the Web Development Certificate program) about a fictional company, using HTML5, CSS3, and Bootstrap 3.

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Weather Cats

Screenshot of Weather Cats Angular App

I created this AngularJS web app using Open Weather Maps API, SASS, Yeoman, Bower, and Grunt.

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User Science Journal

Screenshot of User Science Journal

This blog was created in WordPress during WATS 4030 to showcase my analysis of user experience (UX) principles (both within and outside of higher ed web) and demonstrate my abilities in usability testing.

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Bella Capelli Salon

Screenshot of the homepage of Bella Capelli Salon

I created this website using Bootstrap 4 for client Rachel Jordan, Bella Capelli Salon, Tacoma, WA.

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