‘How Far I’ll Go’ from Moana “See the line where the sky meets the sea? It calls me And no one knows, how far it goes If the wind in my sail on the sea stays behind me One day I'll know, if I go there's just no telling how far I'll go” Photo retrieved: http://srsounds.com/j3/images/easyblog_images/700/Moana-2016-1.jpg https://youtu.be/cPAbx5kgCJo I love the thought of the ocean horizon being a mysterious, unending adventure. Technology always seems to baffle me by the amount of learning I’ve encountered and the amount of learning still to come. At first, the waves may get rough and you may want to quit, but once you have the wind in your sails, there’s no telling where you’ll go. How Far I’ve Come I needed to reflect on what I’ve accomplished over the span of this program. ‘How Far I’ll Go’ I need to plan ahead what my next steps are and my future strategies to fully utilize everything I’ve learned. ePortfolio Expansion My ePortfolio has cycled through many phases, but the whole journey has taught me a lot about myself as a teacher and learner. I learned that I can really feel proud of my work when I share it with family and friends, as well as professional colleagues. I could tell that I was more creative in my learning since it was all on a themed website platform. I felt more comfortable and free in expressing my ideas on my ePortfolio because it was customized to my own design style. Looking forward, I want to share the power of ePortfolios to other educators and young learners. First graders may be a little too young to create, design, and execute their own ePortfolios. However, I have ideas for young learners that extend to Class Dojo Student Stories and even Seesaw. There’s other platforms worth exploring like Google Sites, Sesame, and more. I want to share this feeling of accomplishment to students so exploring ePortfolios would be a great start. Online/ Blended Course I’ve enjoyed the best parts of online learning through these courses. I get to learn at my own pace and in the comfort of my own environment. I still feel very included and collaborative with the people in my class. I feel like I’m not missing anything from being in a virtual classroom. Interestingly, I feel like I’m being more challenged and engaged in my learning. After I’ve discovered blended learning, I just knew this is the way education will look in the future (possibly very near future). I think blended learning is a great way for educators to differentiate, engage, personalize, and create excitement for young learners. I do use blended learning in my first grade classroom and will continue to inspire others to try it out so they’ll also see its benefits. Organizational Change I learned about how to really make crucial change in my organization. I reflected on Simon Sinek’s “What, How, & Why?”I defined results and vital behaviors to achieve blended learning. I used sources of influence and disciplines of execution to get real change. Finally, I delved into crucial conversations and self-directed leadership. I have been using what I know about key actions to make real change in discussions with leadership. I will continue to use my research and studies on organizational change to really engage people with their hearts first, then their minds. I had a friend who was thinking of starting a business but I couldn’t help myself but to channel Simon Sinek. I said “What is your goal?” and “How will you really reach people’s hearts?” I was shocked at how I can be a leader so easily and with such confidence. It’s quite freeing and I can’t wait to see what I lead next. Professional Learning My first reaction to Professional Learning was that it is not the same as Professional Development. My blog post Uninspired and Uncomfortable summed up the way I feel about the way we do PD now. I enjoyed learning the standards for PL in that I could engage educators in a better way to make real change. I created a Blended Learning Timeline which started to make things real. I will continue to be a pioneer in Professional Learning where educators can become inspired and engaged, rather than how PD used to be. I will continue to also present to sessions where I can make a difference. Sometimes I feel that I can only do so much, but I want to keep trying, if only to help a little. Personal Learning Networks I have loved networking with other educators to get more involved with this whole process. I have connected with three other educators in a FB group chat where we have been communicating from the very beginning. We always help each other and share our ideas. It’s been the best way to feel more comfortable in this new adventure of M.Ed. Also, I joined a bunch of Facebook groups where I connected and learned even more. I have expanded my TPT page and store where I have gained a lot of traction on my sales. All in all, Professional Learning Networks have saved me. I will maintain a virtual presence on my facebook, pinterest, and instagram, where I will keep contacts to network with and make connections world-wide. I am always baffled by how much information that can be shared through the internet all over the globe. I love reading through my TPT sales and seeing the UK, Australia, and other countries of educators who are using my work. It’s amazing how teachers next door to my classroom have a lot to offer, but globally, there’s so much more to learn. M. Ed. DLL Capstone I have been so entranced by the effects of COVA and CSLE through this master’s program. It has been truly special to learn the approach through doing it and experiencing it. I was free to be my own creative self while I challenged myself to do even more than what was asked. It has been an amazing experience. I will continue to ‘talk up’ Lamar and this program. I absolutely love the vibe of this online program as it is really helpful to me. I started this program thinking that I may not even be cut out for grad school. I’m leaving with a lot of promises for a better future in Digital Learning and Leading. |
AuthorTaylor Pons Digital Learning & LeadingePortfolio Blog Digital Waves BlogA Splash of Professional Learning NetworksClass Dojo MentorDigital Learning and Leading |