Reflecting on my journey through the Digital Learning & Leading program at Lamar University, each course helped me learn and grow both personally and professionally. The program gave me more confidence in my abilities to incorporate technology within my classroom, as well as, share and lead others with tech resources. Each course was a puzzle piece that fit snugly together to compliment each other.

EDLD 5302 Concepts of Educational Technology: I developed my growth mindset, my professional learning networks, and my learning manifesto. I began to take ownership of my learning through the use of COVA as I explored educational technology.

EDLD 5303 Apply Educational Technology – Portfolio: This course allowed me to develop my ePortfolio by expanding on work I completed in the previous course. While I originally began my portfolio on a different platform, in this course I switched to using WordPress. This presented quite the challenge which I’m still trying to work through to get everything to look the way I would like. 

EDLD 5304 Leading Organizational Change: This course helped guide me through creating change and how to do it effectively by considering the why, how and what of my goals. I learned how to influence others and communicate effectively. I also learned how to overcome those that resist change and encourage innovation by leading. 

EDLD 5305 Disruptive Innovation in Education: This course challenged me to innovate and create. I created an innovation plan on Project-Based Learning and then conducted a literature review to show the importance and effectiveness of the topic. 

EDLD 5313 Creating Significant Learning Environments: Creating significant learning environments (CSLE) uses goals and a backwards design allowing students to be active in their learning. I explored learning philosophies, created a three column table, and explored backwards design with the UbD model.

EDLD 5314 Digital Learning in Global and Local Contexts: Information and communication technology (ICT) is everywhere in the digital age and relates to digital learning through innovation. It is important to understand how technology is being used throughout the world. This can be done by studying ICT projects that have been both successes and failures. 

EDLD 5315 Assessing Digital Learning and Instruction: How do you know if you are an effective teacher and innovator? Are your students learning and engaged? What are your students learning? Action research helps educators measure the effectiveness of their practices by assessing digital learning. 

EDLD 5316 Digital Citizenship: Digital citizenship is a very important topic in society today. It is also important that students are taught how to be their very best digital self (or citizen) when online. Issues that arise can include cyberbullying, plagiarism, and privacy protection. 

EDLD 5317 Resources for Digital Environments: This course explored digital tools and resources. These digital tools are constantly multiplying. It is important for teachers to find valuable tools that can help transform their students’ learning. 

EDLD 5318 Instructional Design in Online Learning: Designing online instruction is quite a bit different than normal lesson plan design. I used Schoology as my LMS, which is also the LMS our district uses. At the time, I didn’t need to use Schoology for actual course development. Now that COVID has disrupted our educational system, I’m grateful for having this course and learning how to actually design online instruction using the LMS.

EDLD 5389 Developing Effective Professional Learning: In this course, I developed professional learning to communicate and promote my innovation plan. Teachers never stop learning and developing a professional learning plan that is relevant and worthwhile is key to both learning and leading. Professional learning needs to be active, have a significant duration, and meet the needs of the learners. 

EDLD 5320 Synthesis of Digital Learning and Leadership: Gathering everything from the past 18 months helped make connections and see how each of the puzzle pieces come together. It shows how to be effective in  learning, leading, and teaching. This course has given me time to reflect and see how much I have grown and changed into a better leader and learner.