5320 - Capstone - Discussion 3 - DLL Journey Part B

The main part of my innovation plan that worked was getting the students on board.  I
had a great group of sweet, well-mannered, good-hearted students in the PM class who
loved to be helpful and wanted to help me succeed last school year.  Their willingness to
learn something new, try new things, and desire to be adventurous was inspiring.

I think if we only had one pre-k class, it would be better.  Next year the district is going
to full day pre-k and this might help eliminate some obstacles and allow more time for
this.  Although, I am not certain what restrictions and requirements the district is going to
add to our schedule.

I have learned that change will work, it just takes time.  I have also learned that ideas are
great, but putting them into play is very difficult.  When it isn’t something the whole district
or the whole grade level is doing, there really isn’t time to add anything extra due to our tight
schedule, state requirements, and district requirements.  When doing a small thing that might
only take a few minutes can usually be added to the day, but trying to involve something that
takes lots of time and many months to complete, it is very difficult.

I am looking to change as needed.  This isn’t something that is “written in stone” so to speak.  I
am willing to make the necessary adjustments to make the changes that are for the better of
the students.  I had this great idea of using the Google Drive and making a Google Site, because
students have to do this in third grade as part of their technology state requirements.  If they had
something already built in the lower grades, it would be a good foundation for them when they
started their projects in third grade. Now I realize that we needed more time to implement this
type of thing and I would need the entire district on board to do this.  Making some changes
and adjustments to the plan was needed so the students could start collecting and showcasing
their learning in a different way. I do not think it is necessary to abandon the past. I think
that some changes could be made to the innovation plan and it can continue to be tweaked to
fit the needs of the students.  

When this is all done, I plan to take a very long nap.  I look forward to spring break in a few
weeks and really taking a break.  I wish all of my classmates lots of luck with their next
adventure.

5320 - Capstone - Discussion 3 - DLL Journey

During this program we used Self-directed Learning and the COVA method.  It was a big
change from when I was in going to school for my teaching degree.  It was a nice
change of pace once I was used to the uncertainties of all of it. My Innovation plan
was a challenge to implement, but at least now I know what all it involves. 
Organizational change strategy is about "becoming self-differentiated leaders who can
move our organization forward and address the inevitable resistance to change that will
occur when launching innovative digital learning initiatives," as stated by Dr. Dwayne
Harapnuik.  The Learning Theory Foundation became part of my learning theory.  It is
important to have a Significant Learning Environment.  Creating a significant learning
environment is an important part of the learning process and will impact the students' learning. 
Working on my current learning environment makes me reflect on the different learning
environments when I was in school. I remember the classroom bulletin boards having our
work on it and we had a cozy reading area.  Instructional Design/Backward Design was a
bit confusing and I have to say I was very frustrated during this class.  I decided that I like
working with the end in mind rather than the 3 column design.  The Online/Blended course
was one of my favorite things to do during this journey.  My ePortfolio is a collection of my
work and I am very proud of what I have done over the course of this program. 
Personal Learning Network is a valuable tool and I like seeing what others are doing
in their classroom.  M. Ed. Digital Learning & Leading is now “unofficially” complete
and it is something that I can happily add to my resume!

5320 - Capstone - Assignment 2 - Innovation Project

Our second assignment is about our innovation project.  I composed my assignment in a Google Doc.



The instructions were as follows:

Throughout the Digital Learning and Leading (DLL) program you have been working on an innovation project that has provided the context for much of your course work.

Instructions

In this part of your capstone we want you to compile all the parts of your innovation project into a comprehensive section of your site. At MINIMUM, consider the following points and questions as prompts that will help you to finalize and share your innovation project experience:

• Identify and reflect on all the components and work you have done so far on your innovation project.
• Identify where are you in your innovation project? What if anything do you have to complete? By when?
• Analyze, assess and reflect on the learning process you have undergone by working on your innovation project?
• What worked?
• What could you do better?
• What lessons have you learned?
• How do you plan to promote and communicate your innovation project?
• How would you apply what you have learned to your next innovation project?

Create a post, page or other form of presentation on your site that will help to organize and present your innovation project and experience as a cohesive section of your eportfolio. Ensure that you create an organizational and navigational structure that connects and links all the components and clearly demonstrates that all the pieces fit into a bigger strategy or approach.