Contribution to Your Learning and the Learning Community

This semester, I took two courses, EDLD 5315, Assessing Digital Learning and Instruction, and EDLD 5317, Resources Digital Environments. At the end of our 8-week course, students must reflect on their time in class and assess their contribution to the class. For this course, I rated myself at 95 since there is always room for improvement within oneself. I achieved this goal by completing all my work on time or ahead of the due date.

Personal Reflection

A few strategies that helped me while taking 5315 and 5317 included watching and listening to class recordings as I worked on my assignments. Rewatching the videos provided clarification and helped me complete my work on time. If I had any questions, I would reach out to other students in the class—most of the time, they were able to provide helpful answers. Additionally, I kept my e-portfolio up to date to stay on track and regularly checked the grade book to keep up with weekly deadlines. Staying organized made a big difference in managing my workload and reducing stress. These habits not only helped me succeed in those courses but also prepared me for future classes.

On my first assignment, the Action Research Design Outline, I scored an 88. After reading the feedback, I understood why I received that grade. I had been mixing up the concepts of qualitative and quantitative research. After doing more of the readings, I gained a better understanding of these concepts, which brought more clarity to the assignment. I also reviewed examples from previous students to see how they applied the concepts correctly. This helped me improve on future assignments and avoid making the same mistakes.

On my second assignment, the Literature Review, I scored 135 out of 150. In all the classes I've taken in this program, I was always nervous about writing another lit review. However, with Dr. M's guidance and the template she provided, I was able to better understand the assignment and what she was expecting. I'm not going to lie—I stayed up many late nights searching for peer-reviewed sources to support my points. I was worried it wouldn't turn out well, but I had to remind myself to breathe and stay focused. In the end, it actually turned out better than I expected. This experience gave me more confidence in my academic writing skills. It also showed me the value of using available resources and trusting the process.

For the discussion posts, I made sure to stay on top of my work and respond to my classmates in a timely manner. The discussions were very helpful because they closely aligned with the assignments given in class. Participating in them not only kept me engaged, but also deepened my understanding of the topics being taught. They allowed me to see different perspectives and clarify any confusion I had before completing my assignments. I also appreciated the feedback and insights from my peers, which often helped me think more critically. Overall, the discussions made the learning experience more interactive and meaningful.

Conclusion:

To conclude, I have gained a great deal of knowledge from this course—not only about the content, but also about myself. This course taught me that I am capable of more than I realized when I put my mind to it. Throughout the semester, I noticed my writing improve through the completion of the Action Research Outline, Literature Review, and Action Research Plan. These assignments gave me a clearer understanding of my action plan and how I can effectively apply it in my current and future classrooms. Dr. M, thank you so much for all the guidance and feedback you provided on my work. I will carry your advice and critiques with me as I continue to grow as an educator. This course has truly strengthened my confidence and prepared me for what lies ahead in my teaching journey.