A reflection on the contributions to my learning and my learning communities

EDLD 5318 Online Course & EDLD 5320 ADL Synthesis Capstone

Every course in the ADL ends with the same self-reflection activity. It is probably my most challenging and rewarding product of learning. I have found that this simple 500-800 word post pushing me to think about my learning. This routine of reflection and self-assessment has help me find and grow my learners mindset.

This term proved to be one of the most arduous of the previous five terms. Procrastination has been my constant protagonist. I would debate about how much I should be in front of the computer working on school work with my husband. He thought I should live there morning, noon and night. Little did he know that I was ALWAYS thinking and reflecting on my course work. Being in front of the computer was not my only means of making and deepening connections in my knowledge.

Thinking back on my initial impression of completing my graduate work completely online, I was wrong about the value and growth I have gained from my learning opportunities in the ADL program. The most valuable asset in my last two courses, as well as the entire program, have been my peers. Collaboration is not just encouraged; it is mandatory. But as most are aware, educators love to work as teams.

In EDLD 5318, the learning outcome for the course was to design, plan, and prepare to implement an online course. The modules were built around the premise of teamwork. The creation of the ADL Cohort GroupMe chat group has been a lifesaver when it comes to real-time collaboration. The cohort grew this term due to the merge of courses with our EdTech peers. It was great to get their perspective and to assist in them in navigating the ADL norms that many had not much experience with. I could see myself in them during our Zoom meetings with Dr. Bellard. Having choice and ownership is wonderful, but not easy to grasp in the beginning.

My group for 5318 was small, but they have been with me the entire program! I can always count on Dawn Short, Tonya Logan, Kelly Skillingberg and Shay McDonald for advice and feedforward on my work. We mainly utilized GroupMe and text messages for communication. We did have a couple of Zoom meetings to talk through assignments and discussion post requirements.

My team was even smaller in EDLD 5320. With this being the capstone of the program in the summer session, the enrollment is small. I was able to lean on Tonya Logan and Shay McDonald for bouncing ideas off and for clarification of the assignments. Our contact was again focused on GroupMe chat and text messages.

Of all the courses in the ADL, this was my time to take the reins. My products of learning are mine and I am so happy with the final compilation of my ePortfolio. This journey has been the hardest and most rewarding of my life. I am so thankful for my professors and ADL classmates. Because without them, I would not have found my full potential. I hope that my efforts in helping them in their own endeavors where as helpful. I know that the learning continues. I am eager to continue that collaborative relationship with those in this program and conquer our next innovation projects.

References

Croteau, J. (2023). 35 of the Best End of School Year Quotes. We Are Teachers. https://www.weareteachers.com/end-of-school-year-quotes/