Every eight weeks, we are prompted to evaluate our progress and engage with the ADL program as part of the assessment as learning model (Harapnuik, 2021). This time, I was enrolled in two courses: 5304: Leading Organization change and 5317: Resources for Digital Environments. In both of these courses, I feel I have made strides towards personal growth and development in my learning.

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In 5304, our primary focus was learning how to bring about organizational change by focusing on the people first and appeal to their hearts not just to their heads. This process involved diving into several readings and required deep reflection on my influencing strategies. It is transforming my approach in working and leading others towards innovation and change. These concepts and strategies are some of the important qualities I was and still am lacking in, but I feel I have a better understanding of how to achieve change via the 4DX framework as well. 

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As an elementary art teacher, I've not had many opportunities to lead any kind of change but as I continue further down this journey, I am excited for the ways in which I will be able to do this. 

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As the school year progressed into the holiday season, I spent many evenings and weekends on the readings, videos, and other supporting materials. Throughout this class, I attended weekly meetings, engaged in group discussions, and participated in giving and receiving feedback. I collaborated with several classmates, sharing ideas and encouragement through our GroupMe Student Lounge group. This group included some familiar faces from past courses: Melissa Richards, Faith Lopez, Whitney Davis, and Joseph Perrone as well as some new faces. We used this platform to ask questions, remind each other of assignment deadlines, and share helpful links to navigate the course. Although it was challenging at times, I met the various deadlines for course activities.

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For this class, I would rate myself a 95. I encountered some initial struggles but improved as the class progressed and feel I dove into the research and completed my assignments to the best of my abilities.

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In the other course, 5317, I gained extensive knowledge on writing for publication. I had the valuable opportunity to research on how my Innovation plan can further enhance and support blended learning. This was an exciting aspect of this class. I hadn't really put much thought on just how connected ePortfolios and blended learning could be.

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Working with a group to assess our publication rough drafts was an enlightening experience . I was able to learn so much more about blended learning from them than just reading the literature on my own. We also worked tougher to create a podcast for our media project. The thought of doing this put my stomach in knots at first but it turned out to be a fun and rewarding experience. I am grateful to my group consisting of Whitney, Melissa, Leah, and Joe. They were a great team to work with on this project. Collaborating and engaging with my peers provided me with a clear understanding of COVA and its functionality (Harapnuik, 2017).

 

For this course, I would rate myself a 95. The extensive research required for writing an article for publication was not only time consuming but mind boggling at times. However, it was a learning experience I wouldn't trade for an easier ride. 

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Reflecting on my journey through these courses, I am filled with a sense of accomplishment and gratitude. Each moment spent diving into the depths of educational innovation and technology has been an investment in my professional and personal growth. The skills and knowledge I've acquired are not just tools for my teaching toolkit; they are catalysts for transformation, reshaping how I perceive and enact learning in my classroom.

 

Looking ahead, I am eager to continue applying these innovative strategies and to explore new ways to foster a dynamic and engaging environment for my students. The support and camaraderie of my classmates have been invaluable, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and shared learning. As I move forward, I am committed to building on these experiences, striving for excellence in my practice, and embracing the continuous journey of learning and development.

 

In the coming months, I plan to further refine my writing, ensuring it reflects both my growth and aspirations as an educator. I also intend to delve deeper into the frameworks introduced in my coursework, applying them more extensively in my organization. With each step, I am reminded that education is a living, evolving entity, and I am excited to be an active participant in its ongoing evolution.