Reflecting on My ADL Journey
When I started the Applied Digital Learning (ADL) program, I was eager to transform my teaching but lacked a structured approach to implementing meaningful change. While I believed in fostering student-centered learning, I needed guidance on how to apply innovative strategies effectively. Throughout this journey, I have gained the knowledge to design impactful learning experiences and the confidence to lead change in education.
This growth was shaped by collaboration with professors, classmates, and colleagues. Their insights, feedback, and shared experiences challenged me to refine my thinking and push beyond my comfort zone. There were moments of frustration—especially when aligning my innovation plan with research and structuring my ideas cohesively—but those struggles became valuable learning opportunities. The highs came when I saw my vision take shape, successfully applied new concepts, and received constructive feedback that deepened my understanding.
A key part of this journey was creating my ePortfolio using WordPress. This platform became a space to document my learning, showcase my work, and organize my reflections in a structured way. Initially, building the platform felt overwhelming, but over time, I saw how powerful it could be in demonstrating my growth and making my work accessible to a broader audience. This aligns with the COVA (Choice, Ownership, Voice, and Authentic Learning) approach proposed by Harapnuik, Thibodeaux, and Cummings (2018), which emphasizes the importance of student autonomy and engagement through authentic learning experiences. By taking ownership of my learning and making meaningful choices in how I present my work, I developed a deeper understanding of instructional design and digital learning environments.
Looking back, I have achieved many course goals, strengthened my ability to think critically about instructional design, and gained a deeper understanding of how to foster engagement through digital learning. I learned that embracing innovation requires persistence, collaboration, and continuous reflection. My ability to adapt and apply new concepts worked well, but I realized that improving my time management could have helped ease moments of feeling overwhelmed.
Today, I am prepared to implement these strategies in my classroom and support my colleagues in integrating technology to enhance learning. I plan to continue refining my skills, expanding my ePortfolio, and exploring new ways to engage students. This journey has been transformative, and I am excited to apply what I have learned meaningfully.
Exploring My Journey
Through my ePortfolio, I have documented my learning process, challenges, and achievements. Each section reflects a crucial aspect of my growth and innovation journey. Below, I share the key components that shaped my experience and the projects that have emerged from this transformation.
In this section, I lay out the overarching vision of my project, which centers on creating ePortfolios to enhance reading comprehension. I explain the rationale behind this initiative, outlining its core objectives and the strategic approach that underpins the proposal. This part establishes the foundation for my journey toward innovative educational practices.
Leading Organization Change
This section addresses the transformative leadership necessary to drive organizational change. I begin by sharing my personal “Why,” which explains the motivation behind the project. I then detail the Influencer Strategy I’ve developed and discuss how to implement the 4DX Framework within our organization. Additionally, I highlight the importance of Crucial Conversations and present a comprehensive Organizational Change Strategy. Together, these elements form the blueprint for leading change and inspiring a culture of continuous improvement.
Concepts of Educational Tech
Here, I delve into the key concepts that underpin the integration of educational technology in my project. I introduce my Growth Mindset Plan and share my Learning Manifesto, which reflects my commitment to transforming the educational experience. This section connects theory with practical application, setting the stage for innovative digital practices.
Creating a Significant Learning Environment
This segment focuses on how I am working to create transformative learning environments. I begin by discussing the emergence of a New Culture of Learning and sharing my personal Learning Philosophy. I then explain how I Align Outcomes, Assessments, and activities using a UbD Design Template while continuously updating my Growth Mindset Plan Updating. This comprehensive approach fosters Significant Learning Environments that promote deep understanding and sustained student engagement.
Developing Effective Professional Leaders
In this section, I focus on the development of effective professional leaders within the educational community. I start with a Call to Action that challenges educators to embrace Professional Growth. I outline a Professional Learning Outline that maps out the journey for leadership development, emphasizing the importance of Connecting and Communicating Ideas effectively. This part empowers educators to lead change and cultivate a collaborative, forward-thinking environment.
Resources for Digital Environments
Here, I present a suite of essential resources for supporting digital transformation in education. I share a Publication Outline and a Publication Rough Draft, which capture the early stages of my project development. In addition, I introduce a Media Project and a Podcast that showcases creative and engaging ways to communicate the vision and impact of my proposal. These resources reinforce the digital strategies at the heart of my project and help disseminate innovative practices to a broader audience.
Assessing Digital Learning and Instruction
Finally, I focus on assessing the effectiveness of digital learning and instructional strategies. This section features an Action Research Design, accompanied by a comprehensive Literature Review and a detailed Research Plan. By Assessing Digital Learning and Instruction, I ensure that my innovations lead to measurable improvements in reading comprehension and overall educational outcomes. This assessment framework is critical to refining the project and guiding future initiatives.
Instructional Design for Online Learning
In this section, I focus on developing effective online learning strategies by exploring both the theoretical framework and the practical application of Instructional Design. I outline the core principles of designing engaging and effective online instruction, emphasizing how these strategies can transform the digital learning environment. Following the design phase, I detail the Implementation process, demonstrating how these ideas are implemented to create a dynamic, interactive, and learner-centered online experience. This integrated approach ensures the online learning platform is innovative and grounded in effective pedagogical practices.
References
Harapnuik, D., Thibodeaux, T., & Cummings, C. (2018). COVA: Choice, ownership, and voice through authentic learning.