This post reflects my contributions to my learning and the learning community for 5315 and 5320. As I reflect on my time in both courses, my self-assessment is as follows:
5315 Assessing Digital Learning and Instruction: 94/100
5320 Synthesis Digital Learn/Leader: 93/100
My collaborative group for both 5315 and 5320 includes myself, Lauren Blasdel, Mattheiu Brooks, and Deena Duarte Fell. This group has remained one of the reasons I have been able to push through and succeed in this program. I am forever grateful.
What Worked Well?
These past 8 weeks have been the hardest of all the semesters in the ADL program. During this time, I have sold my home, purchased a new one, and begun a remodel. At work, I am one of the primary leaders for our New Teacher Orientation and have been extremely busy preparing for new teachers joining the district. Additionally, I am currently 24 weeks pregnant and caring for a 3-year-old. Many other personal family events have also taken place in between.
So, what’s worked well? The honest answer is maintaining grit, perseverance, and a growth mindset.
As I mentioned earlier, my group has truly been a blessing. Our GroupMe chat has, once again, proven invaluable, with its constant check-ins, reminders, and support—just what I need! Through GroupMe, we share assignments, and although we have a Google Doc kindly created by Mathieu, I prefer communicating via GroupMe. The group is always quick to respond to any needs, offering feedback and encouragement. Besides our GroupMe messages, we also try to meet on Zoom to discuss assignments, share feedback, and have personal check-ins. Without this group, I would be lost. Everyone contributes equally; no one person carries the group. We all take turns supporting each other, and when one of us is struggling, another steps in to help. As the 8 weeks progress, these roles often reverse.
In addition to regular collaboration with my ADL group for both 5315 and 5320, another aspect that went well was the ability to research more on self-efficacy and blended learning professional development through 5315. Because of this course, I was able to take a deeper dive into the specifics of blended learning PD and apply these ideas to my innovation plan preparation.
In course 5320, I had the opportunity to reflect on everything I've learned throughout the ADL program through my ePortfolio. This program enabled me to take thoughts, ideas, and experiences from both the classroom and my role as a new Instructional Technology Specialist and turn them into something tangible. Thanks to this program and my dedication to it, I can now confidently speak on topics I previously knew little about.
What Could Be Better?
While I enjoyed both 5315 and 5320, I found myself rushing to complete assignments. I gave 100% of what I had left to both courses, but I still felt I fell short. I also, due to life circumstances, did not complete discussion posts for 5315 in a timely manner. Even though I completed them by the end, I could not seem to balance any extra time.
Lastly, I struggled with constructive criticism. Throughout this program, I have received positive feedback from my professors. I have worked extremely hard and have given more of myself to this program than to my family and even my job. This 8 weeks, I have received some constructive criticism that has been hard to swallow. Nevertheless, with a growth mindset, I have been able to overcome the personal challenges that have come with this news. I have made corrections and revisions to assignments to meet the program's standards.
Contributing to Learning and the Learning of the Community
For 5315, I maintained a consistent presence in the Zoom meetings. During these sessions, I listened attentively, taking detailed notes and asking questions. As for 5320, each day we met I always seemed to have something going on; nevertheless, I kept up with the recordings and stayed in contact with my collaboration group for updated information.
In addition to my collaborative group interactions, I responded to our GroupMe, clarified any confusion on assignments, and committed the time to keeping our collaborative Google Doc current by sharing completed assignments and discussions.
In general, I am proud of the contributions I've made, especially considering the external pressures I faced during these 8 weeks. Nevertheless, without the steadfast support of my group (Deena, Lauren, and Mattheiu) I would not have had the success I did. Their generosity, kindness, and collaboration have made such an impact on my time here in the ADL program. Their friendship will remain one of the sweetest takeaways.
The last year has been a wild ride. Ups, downs, whiplash. . .all of it. At times I wanted to quit. Other times I was all in. But what goes up must come down. As we come to the end of this topsy-turvy journey, I can’t help but think of the beginning lyrics to “Closing Time” by Semisonic:
“Closing time, open all the doors
And let you out into the world”
Goodbye, ADL!
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