Contributions to My Learning
During this Fall session, I completed EDLD 5318 and EDLD 5320. As part of our final course requirements, we were asked to reflect on our experiences and evaluate our own contributions. I rated myself a 95.
I chose this score because I consistently completed all assignments and discussion board posts in a timely manner, always submitting my work before the due dates. These two classes are the final courses in my program, and reaching this point has required tremendous dedication and sacrifice. The past twelve months have gone by so quickly that it is hard to believe this chapter is already coming to an end.
I would also like to express my gratitude to all of the professors who have supported and guided me throughout this journey. Their encouragement and commitment have played an important role in helping me reach this milestone in my academic career.
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Personal Reflection:
Things that worked well for me included completing my assignments ahead of time rather than waiting until the last minute. I made a consistent effort to complete all readings, participate thoughtfully in discussions, and provide constructive feedback to multiple classmates. I am also part of a GroupMe for each course, where we ask questions, seek clarification, and offer guidance on assignments whenever needed. This group has truly served as our backbone, helping us support one another and successfully navigate each course.
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In our first assignment, the COVA Reflection, we were asked to reflect on how the COVA approach has shaped our academic journey. Little did I know that COVA had already been present in my own classroom practice. By intentionally integrating COVA into my teaching, I have learned to use my voice more confidently in the work I create. Not only did COVA help me recognize and express my voice, but it also revealed strengths and abilities within myself that I didn’t even know existed. This realization has encouraged me to take more ownership of my learning and professional growth. It has also inspired me to continue fostering choice, ownership, and authentic learning experiences for my students. Ultimately, COVA has transformed both my mindset and my approach to teaching in ways that will continue to shape my work moving forward.
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For our second assignment, the Innovation Project Update, we were asked to reflect on our innovation plan. My innovation plan focused on introducing e-Portfolios into the classroom. The first steps in developing this plan included creating a proposal letter, outlining the implementation process, and completing a literature review. These components helped me carefully examine my ideas and determine what I wanted to keep, refine, or change within my implementation plan. Through this process, I gained a deeper understanding of how e-Portfolios can support meaningful student learning and engagement. It also allowed me to envision how this innovation can evolve over time to better meet the needs of both my students and my campus.​​​
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For our third assignment, the Applied Digital Learning Synthesis, we were asked to combine all parts of our 12-month journey and write a reflection on our overall experience. Not going to lie, it was a little tricky to bring together and reflect on every aspect of our journey in one single post. I spent most of Thanksgiving break really thinking about what I wanted to include and how to best represent my growth throughout the program. In doing so, I realized just how much I have learned and how each assignment contributed to my development. This final reflection allowed me to appreciate the progress I have made and the confidence I have gained along the way.
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Core Collaboration Group:
In my collaboration group, I worked with Kelsie Adams, Ann Zystryny, Veronica Mata, Ayla Rightenour, and Angela Speck. Throughout this 8-week course, we collaborated on five discussion posts. In those posts, we built upon each other’s ideas and continued to grow together as the weeks went on. Along with the discussions, we also provided feedback to help improve each other’s publication final drafts. Most of our group has been together since the beginning of the program, and honestly, we’ve grown so much by learning together and building on one another’s thoughts and ideas. Our strong communication and mutual respect made it easy to share honest feedback and stay on track. I truly feel that working with this group enhanced the quality of my work and made the experience more enjoyable.​​​
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Conclusion:
In conclusion to EDLD 5320, I have learned so much about myself and discovered new ways to lead, adapt, and grow in order to be successful with my innovation plan. The videos and discussion posts greatly supported my understanding of the material and helped me apply the information needed to succeed in my assignments. I will continue to use the knowledge and skills I gained in this course to guide me in my future classes. Dr. H, thank you for your guidance and for the reflection assignments that encouraged me to focus on what I did well and what I still need to improve. This course has strengthened my confidence as an educator and helped me see the impact thoughtful leadership can have on student learning. I feel more prepared to implement innovative ideas and to continue growing both personally and professionally.
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