GRADUATE COURSES
5302 - Concepts of Educational Technology
The graduate program began with an understanding of if we own content we publish and also a foundation of a growth mindset. Carol Dweck's book Mindset was one of the first books to read in the program. I already owned the book because I had done a book study on it years ago and fell in love. I knew that this Digital Learning and Leading program was exactly what I wanted, especially if it started with focusing on a growth mindset. I was also excited because I had a choice in what I wanted to do for my assignment (this is where COVA started) and jumped at the opportunity to create an infographic (see growth mindset infographic to left). We also had to create a manifesto and showcase what we are passionate about. 5303 - Applying Educational Technology: Portfolio After the initial excitement of starting grad school wore off, then came the shock factor. What did I get myself into? The second course gave me the opportunity to research and discover what platform I wanted to host my website (ePortfolio). I was allotted time to transfer my content and really start creating my living and evolving portfolio. This is where I realized that my original google site was not going to be able to do everything that I wanted and I transferred to a weebly site.
5389 - Developing Effective Professional Learning
This was one of my favorite classes since it went along with my literature review and innovation plan. I spent so much time in this program working on both my literature review and/or my innovation plan about making professional development blended. This course also helped me figure out planning by writing a detailed outline that allowed me to write out my professional learning strategy.
5314 - Digital Learning in Local and Global Context
Not only being aware of technology in our immediate situation is important but also understanding how it relates in a local and global context is also important. We must be able to understand the barriers that are created with information and communication technology (ICT) in all parts of the world. This course was heavy on the reading and also included rewriting my literature review while including local and global context.
5315 -Assessing Digital Learning & Instruction
This class we read a lot and did a lot of writing. In order to be an effective teacher you need to know if what you're doing is right or the best way. In order to figure that out, you have to be able to study its effectiveness. This is where the action research came in. I developed a hypothesis and then had to research it and prove if it was correct or not. I created an action research plan, action research outline, and action research literature review, along with a fancy infographic!
5317 - Resources in Digital Environments
Although this course went back to focusing on writing, it still was interesting. The purpose of this course was to write something that could be published. I'm still in the process of waiting to hear from the educational website I submitted it to so I won't be able to link it here (you'll learn about why you can't link your work). I did create a quick pitch on what my article was about!
5320 - Synthesis of Digital Learning and Leading
Being able to have a whole course that allows for time of reflection and wrapping everything up has been really nice. It's amazing to look back and realize the way the Digital Learning and Leading program was developed was seamless. Every course builds on the previous and the further you get in the program, the more you use what you've learned. Working on my masters has been difficult but enjoyable at the same time!
So grateful to all the professors and the time and feedback that they've given me. Through the highs and the lows of the program and realizing that I am able to do more than I think I can, this masters program has pushed me!
I will continue to grow as I close a chapter in my book and open a new one! I'm starting a new position this upcoming year and will be working with teachers. I look forward to being able to encourage, motivate, learn from and grow along with educators! Here's to an interesting and exciting year!
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I really believe that if teachers experience what it's like to learn in a blended format, they will in turn teach it to their students. I learned that you need to design each part of your plan and have done that with my professional learning strategy. Learning that design is essential to carrying out a plan, was very important. WHAT I COULD HAVE DONE BETTER
a title other than teacher. In order to make a change, I believe I need a title such as an Instructional Coach or Professional Development Coordinator.
Even though I don't possess the fancy title yet, it doesn't mean I can't continue to be an advocate for change!
Being an educator is more than just teaching children in a classroom. In fact, teaching students in the classroom is less than 50% of what I do. Grading, designing lessons, preparing and prepping for class is part of what educators do. On top of preparing and teaching, educators are also learners. They have professional development (PD) that must be attended. There are a LOT of PD's that educators attend that don't pertain to them but are required. What if PD looked different for educators? What if the PD they attended was engaging and excited the educators?
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AuthorI am a believer, wife, mother, teacher, student, life long learner and a huge believer in positivity! Archives
July 2020
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