Contributions to Learning 5389

During the summer semester, I discovered a renewed passion for learning through the two courses I completed. In EDLD 5389, I learned the importance of prioritizing my time more effectively. This became clear after receiving my first assignment grade, it wasn’t a poor score, but I knew I could have done better with more effort. By the second assignment, I saw noticeable improvement. The key difference was that I took my time, carefully read the instructions, and ensured I fully understood the task before completing it. This experience taught me the value of preparation and attention to detail. It also reminded me that growth is a process, and small changes in habits can lead to meaningful results. I now feel more confident in my ability to manage coursework and apply these lessons in real-world educational settings.

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For the first assignment, Alternate PL - 'A Call to Action', I received a grade of 89. My initial reaction was, 'If I round up, it’s a 90!' (LOL). However, after reviewing Dr. Lynch’s feedback, I understood why I earned that 89. I had missed a few key components that would have enhanced the quality of my work. His remarks were, 'While reviewing, I would like to encourage you to expand on your audience you are trying to persuade. Also, I would recommend adding a visual component to your narrative video. Keep working hard.' Taking this feedback to heart, I revisited my work and made the necessary adjustments—not to boost my grade, but to improve the overall quality of my project. Dr. Lynch’s constructive comments reignited my motivation to push harder and put more effort into the course moving forward.

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For the second assignment, Planning the Alternative PL Assignment, I received a grade of 93. I was really excited to see this grade because, as I mentioned earlier, I took the time to review the assignment carefully and paid close attention to its requirements. This assignment was particularly exciting because it allowed us to incorporate our innovation plan—in my case, introducing e-Portfolios into the classroom. As part of the assignment, we were tasked with creating Fink’s three-column table, which outlined the goals for our innovation proposal. The process of aligning my ideas with this framework was both engaging and rewarding. My remarks that I received back from Dr. Lynch were, "

Leslie-

I enjoyed reviewing your PL plan outline. You have an excellent foundation to build out your model of PL. Please review my feedback comments to see how to build on this foundation. I would encourage the following:

1. Simply review the formatting of your presentation components. (Your Home, About, ADL Tabs showed up on most pages.

2. Review your 3-Column Table and try to condense into one page if possible. I had trouble pulling it up to review, so possibly adding a link to enlarge might help?

 

Overall, I can tell you put a lot of effort into your assignment. I look forward to reviewing your final product.

Keep working hard. 

Hearing these words really helped me to keep moving forward to our last major assignment. 

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For the third assignment, Connecting and Communicating Your Ideas, I saw it as an opportunity to piece everything together. I focused on ensuring that each element of the assignment was included as outlined in the instructions, carefully following every detail to create a cohesive and well-organized submission.

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Collaboration Group​: 

In my collaboration group, I worked alongside Angela Speck, Kelsie Adams, Ann Zastryny, Ayla Rightenour, and Veronica Mata. We collaborated closely on discussion posts and supported each other with questions related to assignments. These women have truly been a backbone for me throughout the courses we’ve taken together, providing valuable assistance and encouragement every step of the way. Their insights and diverse perspectives helped me think critically and approach challenges from different angles. I'm grateful for their ongoing support and the strong sense of camaraderie we've built in our group.

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Final Remarks: 

In the two classes I’ve taken this summer, I cannot emphasize enough how much I’ve learned from this program. I am truly grateful for the knowledge you, Dr. Harapnuik and Dr. Johnson, have shared with us. Thanks to your guidance, I’ve rediscovered my passion for learning and embraced taking risks in how I approach education. Dr. Harapnuik, I’ve gained invaluable insights that I will definitely incorporate into my classroom, and I’m excited to use them to help guide the way for professional learning. This experience has not only broadened my understanding of teaching and learning but also inspired me to be more innovative and adaptable in my approach. I now feel more prepared to empower my students and colleagues to embrace continuous growth and exploration.