Reflecting on My Contributions to Digital Learning and Community Engagement
Self-Assessment Scoring
For my EDLD 5315 and 5320 courses, I believe my contributions to my learning and the learning community reflect a score of 94. This assessment is based on my active engagement in the course content, the quality and timeliness of my contributions, and my ongoing collaboration with my base group community.
What is Worked Well
Throughout the 5315 course, I have fully embraced the concepts of Project-Based Learning (PBL) and e-portfolios, which were central to my assignments. One of the key aspects that is working well for me is my ability to apply the theoretical knowledge gained from article readings to practical, actionable plans for my action research. In my Action Research Plan and Action Research Design Outline, I have focused on evaluating the impact of PBL and e-portfolios on student engagement, self-efficacy, and academic performance among 3rd-12th grade students. The use of a mixed-methods research approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data, has given me a comprehensive perspective that I find effective in evaluating both measurable outcomes and students' subjective experiences.
Additionally, I am proud of the way I have reflected on and revised my assignments based on peer feedback and self-evaluation. For example, my Literature Review underwent several iterations to ensure that the concepts were not only well-researched but also aligned with my research goals. This allowed me to dive deeper into the literature and strengthen my understanding of the potential of PBL and e-portfolios in bridging educational gaps, especially for students from diverse backgrounds.
Regarding the 5320 course, my Innovation Project Update has been instrumental in guiding my work, particularly during the pilot phase where I introduced PBL and e-portfolios in my 4th-grade classroom. Through weekly reflections on their Schoology e-portfolios, my students showcased remarkable creativity and ownership of their learning. Watching them articulate their ideas and engage in real-world problem-solving has reinforced the importance of these innovative approaches. The 24-month implementation outline I developed for my project, including its seven distinct phases, has been a vital roadmap in keeping the initiative focused and organized, especially as I prepare to scale the project to additional grades and stakeholders.
Also, my understanding of the COVA (Choice, Ownership, Voice, and Authenticity) model has greatly enhanced my perspective on student-centered learning. This approach aligns perfectly with my goal of empowering students to take charge of their educational journeys. My reflections during the COVA Reflection & Application assignment helped me recognize how crucial it is to give students meaningful choices and opportunities for authentic expression. For example, using PBL to let students explore their passions and document their growth in e-portfolios has transformed how I approach lesson planning and classroom interactions.
Furthermore, I have completed all of the course readings and videos, which I believe have enriched my learning experience. The resources, such as the readings on the impact of PBL on student creativity and the potential benefits of e-portfolios, provided me with a solid foundation to support my assignments and research. This allowed me to build well-rounded perspectives, such as understanding how PBL fosters critical thinking and engagement, as highlighted in the work of the (Buck Institute for Education, 2021).
Contributions to the Learning Community
I have been actively involved in my base group community, consistently collaborating with Kimberely Goffney. I contributed by providing constructive feedback on her drafts, participating in group discussions, and sharing my reflections on the challenges and successes I faced during the course. In particular, my peer and I discussed barriers to implementing PBL and e-portfolios, such as technological limitations and curriculum constraints. We shared strategies for overcoming these challenges, which greatly contributed to my understanding of the practical application of my research. Moreover, I made sure my posts in the discussion forums were timely and thorough, providing others with ample opportunity to engage and respond. My postings aimed to reflect depth and breadth of thinking, and cited current research to support my points when necessary.
The Innovation Project Update assignment allowed me to take on a leadership role in these discussions by sharing insights from my pilot phase and soliciting feedback on how to enhance the project further. For instance, I learned the importance of scaffolding and supporting students through tools like sentence stems and exemplars, which helped students feel less overwhelmed when documenting their reflections. Sharing these strategies with my peers created a collaborative environment where we could exchange ideas and refine our approaches
Moreover, I made sure my posts in the discussion forums were timely and thorough, providing others with ample opportunity to engage and respond. My postings aimed to reflect depth and breadth of thinking, often citing current research to support my points.
Areas for Improvement
While I am pleased with my overall performance, there are areas where I could improve. One area is balancing my time between individual assignments and group activities. Although I participated actively in both, I sometimes found myself prioritizing my individual work over my contributions to group discussions. Moving forward, I plan to allocate specific time blocks for group collaboration to ensure that my contributions are more balanced.
Another area for improvement is seeking more diverse perspectives in my literature review. While I focused heavily on studies related to PBL and e-portfolios in public schools, incorporating more international perspectives could provide a richer, more holistic understanding of these educational strategies. I intend to expand my research to include studies from various educational contexts worldwide to strengthen my future work. Additionally, the COVA Reflection & Application taught me the importance of engaging with colleagues earlier in the planning phase of innovation projects. I aim to include more collaborative brainstorming sessions in future endeavors to refine and strengthen my ideas
Conclusion
In conclusion, my contributions to both my own learning and the learning community have been substantial. I have engaged deeply with the course content, revised my assignments thoughtfully, and contributed actively to the discussions and development of my peers. The mixed-methods approach that I have chosen for my action research plan, alongside the insights gained from the Innovation Project Update and COVA Reflection & Application, has allowed me to look at the integration of PBL and e-portfolios from multiple angles, thus providing a comprehensive view of their potential benefits.
I look forward to continuing this journey, refining my research, and sharing my insights via my ePortolfio after graduation and with the broader educational community. My experience in this course has reinforced the value of collaboration, reflection, and the power of innovative assessment models in creating inclusive and engaging learning environments.
Reference
Buck Institute for Education. (2021). What is PBL? Retrieved from https://www.pblworks.org/what-is-pbl
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