“The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn …and change.”
Carl Rodgers
The End of the Chapter
I began this program with a clear intention to enhance my teaching practice as an instructional coach, particularly in integrating technology and working with teachers to meet students' needs. I sought out this program because I felt it would provide me with the skills and knowledge that aligned with my desire to learn. This experience in the ADL program has been transformative, revealing areas where my teaching or my ideas about what I thought was best fell short. I now have a deeper understanding of effective learning and leadership. This milestone marks not an end, but a crucial step in my continuous professional learning journey.
Let me start by outlining my course journey and the key takeaways for each. This online learning journey has exceeded my expectations. My mindset and growth throughout this experience have taught me so much.
Let me start by outlining my course journey and the key takeaways for each. This online learning journey has exceeded my expectations. My mindset and growth throughout this experience have taught me so much.
Made in Canva
This semester's reflection has revealed the significant growth I have achieved throughout this program. My biggest challenge has been remembering the importance of meeting learners—both students and teachers—where they are. Revising the COVA/CLSE framework and my innovation project has provided me with new clarity. This program has underscored the value of collaboration and reflection. I am determined to use these insights to enhance my educational journey.
Canva
Innovation Update and Connections
Stepping into my role as an instructional technology coach and later as an instructional coach, I have developed a passion for working with new teachers. Being the problem-solver that I am, my team and I created an academy designed to help these educators build relationships, learn essential tools, and become more engaged with their school district and students. Blended learning has become a significant focus of our academy, guiding the goals we set for our program.
This semester, we have revisited our innovation project to assess our progress. This update not only illustrates the growth of our plan but also highlights a meaningful change in Creating Significant Learning Environments (CSLE) mindset. Taking ownership of my learning has made a substantial impact on my journey. I’ve discovered that I enjoy incorporating research-backed trends into my projects, especially as I explored these concepts in the assessing digital learning instruction course. Conducting literature reviews, particularly the second one, has become a delightful experience rather than a burden; I found myself eager for information and willing to seek it out.
I have come to appreciate the value of collaboration and how I contribute to the learning environment. I’ve also developed into a leader in organizational change, driven by the confidence I gained through collaboration. Studying various educational theories has deepened my understanding of instructional design and underscored its importance to effective learning and my own learning philosophy.
I have learned to create alternative professional development opportunities that help my fellow educators understand how to implement my innovation project. Additionally, I am developing a complete online course within that instructional design framework to share the fundamental principles I have learned.
As Dr. Harapink has often said throughout this program, my commitment is to change one learner at a time. I have transformed from a traditional teacher into a facilitator, from a follower into a leader, and I have come to value collaboration more deeply. I plan to continue this work for as long as my educational journey allows me to.
This semester, we have revisited our innovation project to assess our progress. This update not only illustrates the growth of our plan but also highlights a meaningful change in Creating Significant Learning Environments (CSLE) mindset. Taking ownership of my learning has made a substantial impact on my journey. I’ve discovered that I enjoy incorporating research-backed trends into my projects, especially as I explored these concepts in the assessing digital learning instruction course. Conducting literature reviews, particularly the second one, has become a delightful experience rather than a burden; I found myself eager for information and willing to seek it out.
I have come to appreciate the value of collaboration and how I contribute to the learning environment. I’ve also developed into a leader in organizational change, driven by the confidence I gained through collaboration. Studying various educational theories has deepened my understanding of instructional design and underscored its importance to effective learning and my own learning philosophy.
I have learned to create alternative professional development opportunities that help my fellow educators understand how to implement my innovation project. Additionally, I am developing a complete online course within that instructional design framework to share the fundamental principles I have learned.
As Dr. Harapink has often said throughout this program, my commitment is to change one learner at a time. I have transformed from a traditional teacher into a facilitator, from a follower into a leader, and I have come to value collaboration more deeply. I plan to continue this work for as long as my educational journey allows me to.
References:
Harapnuik, D. (2018, February 14). COVA approach [Video] YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ft__0LE3qQ
Harapnuik, D. (July 14, 2018). It's about learning. Retrieved June 25, 2024, from https://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6991
Harapnuik, D. (July 14, 2018). It's about learning. Retrieved June 25, 2024, from https://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6991