My ADL Journey
Applied Digital Learning Synthesis
The ADL is where I began, but definitely not where my journey ends. The Applied Digital Learning programs end goal was to allow us to discover existing problems within our organization and prepare us to create real change within our organization. We created an innovative solution to present to our stakeholders. The ADL program has transformed me into an advocate for COVA and empowered me with the tools I need to lead and influence change.
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EDLD 5305 Disruptive Innovation Technology
I learned to take ownership of my learning by incorporating choice and voice while designing authentic projects. This was our opportunity to work on improving our organization and flourish as self-directed learners. We were not boxed in with parameters or constraints, which allowed for authentic learning and reflection to occur. Our Literature Review was a culmination of research-based articles that provided us with evidence to prove our reason for piloting blended learning. This was a challenging assignment. The literature review was based on facts and evidence alone, which meant opinions held no merit. My favorite assignment was developing our call-to-action video. We were able to showcase the urgency of disrupting our current organizational model. Developing a proposal to present to my principal was probably the most nerve-racking. I needed her support and guidance to pilot this model within our Dyslexia classroom and she held the power. An Implementation Outline was our focus point to stay accountable and serve as a timeline for our Innovation Plan. Moving forward we needed to begin further research on blended learning and our Annotated Bibliography assisted in laying the groundwork. Erika Peña, Ileana Reyna, and I then developed Blended Learning: Personalizing the future of Education.
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EDLD 5303 Applying Educational Technology
The development of my e-portfolio would encompass my work in progress and serve as a reference and reflection tool throughout the program. There is true value and meaning that has evolved with regard to my e-Portfolio. It is a digital representation of my journey of transformation professionally and personally. The opportunity to implement, reflect and delve into discussions about our why and goals caused more of an impact because we all took on leadership roles at different stages.
EDLD 5304 Leading Organizational Change
I was able to develop and refine my leadership skills from theory to practice. I created a My Why and began turning my passions into goals in order to Influence real sustainable change. As a leader for change learning how to be mindful and incorporate others' voices and concerns produces real change. The tools I have to create opportunities to collaborate with teachers will provide valuable results and trust. The crucial conversations within our organization will be met with respect and goals will be transparent to reform our organization's needs to harness a new culture of learning. The design of the 4DX model gave us a better understanding of focusing on one Wildly Important goal, how to act on this goal with a way to track measurable results, and the transparency of successes and challenges as a team with a scoreboard. The 4DX model holds every team member accountable for providing strengths or weaknesses within the organization and time for reflection and revision.
EDLD 5302 Concepts of Educational Technology had me pause and rethink the way I learn, challenge my current mindset, and reevaluate the type of leader I was striving to become. In order to move forward and learn to deal with challenges, opportunities, and successes, I learned how to practice a growth mindset. I couldn’t ask others to trust me in the process without being capable of modeling and shifting from my own fixed mindset. An eye-opening assignment was my Manifesto. This assignment was thought-provoking because I realized what I believed learning should look like, and sound like. I was able to look to my past and reflect on educators who impacted my learning so I could create significant learning environments to engage and motivate all learners. One goal I have been working on is networking and collaborating with other professionals that are moving towards similar goals. Establishing a solid PLN connects professionals with up-to-date research and information with challenges, solutions, and discussion to similar topics of interest. Viewing the cohort's PLNs and discussing how they are used helped me gather more resources to refer to.
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EDLD 5389 Developing Effective Professional Learning provided me with the opportunity to develop and present professional development with an innovative approach. Professional development is a necessary part of the education profession. Teachers are required to complete year PL to adapt to the constant changes in education and then implement those skills with their students. The challenge is providing effective PL to teachers with ongoing support and time to learn. PL should be tailored to the specific needs of teachers and reflect the goals of the campus. Our first step was to tailor a course based on teacher and campus needs. In order to promote and influence our teachers, we created their PL learning using a Go and Show model with a blended model environment.
EDLD 5313 Creating Significant Learning Environments guided me to create the necessary tools for the next phases of implementation of our innovation plan, Blended learning: Personalizing the future of education. CSLE equipped us with a wealth of knowledge, for those investing in the journey. The shift from old one size fits all lessons into a space that provides tailored and self-paced opportunities would produce a New Culture of Learning with content in tune with effective and engaging lessons. Creating student choice, taking ownership, and voice, with authentic learning opportunities became more important to me once I wrote out My Learning Philosophy. My goal is to prepare students for the world of tomorrow by encouraging critical thinking and exposing them to educational applications in real-world situations. Finks's 3-column table maps out these activities and assessments for students so they can take ownership and become masters of their personalized content while becoming critical thinkers.
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EDLD 5317 Resources and Digital Environments provided us the opportunity to showcase our knowledge about blended learning with adaptive digital programs to the masses. Our Blended Learning Team came and learned how to write a Publication Article and created a Media Project, to connect our audience with real students and adaptive programs in order to spark their interest and further invest in learning and implementing blended learning.
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EDLD 5315 Assessing Digital Learning
Taught me to once we know better we do better. Coming to terms with being an innovative educator meant more than the delivery of instruction and the engagement of students. Learning how to create an effective and adaptive digital learning environment we needed to make sure our Measurment Strategy was ready for our next steps of implementation.
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EDLD 5318 Instructional Design Online Learning Designing instruction daily for students with differentiated lessons became a reality during remote learning. Teaching was still to be delivered with the same rigor and principles but with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning. Designing Modules 1, Module 2, and Module 3 helped me gain insight into the usability and my sight along with revising my lessons based on feedback.
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EDLD 5320 Synthesis Digital Learning and Leadership my last puzzle piece to a great journey. My e-Portfolio contains my reflection and growth from my challenges to my successes. The skills I am able to highlight and lessons I have learned are collected and effectively analyzed, discussed to promote change for the right of every student. I am a better educator because I allowed myself to step out of my comfort zone and challenged my thinking. The days of connecting are done because the learning happens when I am able to connect and create. I strive to continue to promote blended learning and lead organizational change. I am an empowered Applied Digital Learner.
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References
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Fink, L. D., PhD. (2003). A self-directed guide to designing courses for significant learning. Retrieved
Directed%20Guide%20to%20Course%20Design%20-%20Fink%20Summary.pdf
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Harapnuik, D. (2021, April 16). A new culture of learning. YouTube. https://youtu.be/G4RIBNgK6xI
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Harapnuik, D., Thibodeaux, T., Cummings, C. (2018). Choice, ownership, and voice through authentic learning [eBook].
Creative Commons License. http://tilisathibodeaux.com/wordpress/wp-
content/uploads/2019/04/COVA_eBook_Jan_2018.pdf
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Horn, M., Staker, H. (2015). Blended: Using disruptive innovation to improve schools.Jossey-Bass A Wiley Brand.
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Thomas, D. & Brown, J.S., (2011). A new culture of learning: Cultivating the imagination for a world of constant change.
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
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Wiggins, G. P., & McTighe, J. (2005). Understanding by design. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum
Development.
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