The end of the beginning

Last month I started my journey towards earning a Masters in Digital Leading and Learning from Lamar University. This week marks the end of my first class EDLD 5302 Concepts of Educational Technology. It has been an exciting and reflective 5 weeks.

I feel like the first assignment really helped get my mindset in check as I start this new learning journey. I had read Dweck’s book before but having recently transferred to a new campus I was experiencing new challenges and feeling a bit of failure. The growth mindset assignment prompted me to reflect on my goals and not let fixed thoughts take root.  I redirected my energy to fail forward by looking at struggles as chances to strategize and improve for the next time. I created a growth mindset plan that I can refer back to throughout the school year to help maintain a healthy classroom environment. To read more about the Impact of a Growth Mindset click here.

Creating my learning manifesto was an enjoyable process that pushed me to reflect deeply on my beliefs around education and the research behind them. I realized that the COVA Model clearly aligned with my preexisting beliefs and the Constructivist model I follow in my own classroom.

Being on the other side of the classroom, as a learner in this DLL program is a new challenge because often as a teacher I like to be in control but, I also like to work towards very clearly defined expectations. COVA reminded me of the IBO model of inquiry learning and I was drawn to the idea of authentic learning.

As a learner having the choice of how to address the assignments and format my ePortfolio makes the DLL program more engaging to me.

In my own learning for the DLL program, I am excited to be the learner in the COVA framework and push myself to try many new methods and applications for my ePortfolio. I will also have to harness the power of “Yet” to get me through the real challenges of being a graduate student, mother, and full-time teacher.

Connecting to like-minded educators through the course discussion boards and professional learning networks has also been a source of inspiration and motivation. It is reaffirming to know that I am often not alone in certain frustrations and to hear about resources others are using in their 21st-Century classrooms. Click here to see the list I compiled of my favorite professional learning networks and online resources along with several I learned about through my DLL colleagues.