EDUC 6715 Week 8 Reflection

FINAL REFLECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is this really it? Can it be so? Have I finally completed my master's degree? Wait a minute. Before I go on and celebrate, I believe I still have some work left to do and my portfolio has yet to be graded. I am just very thankful to have finished the majority of my program at Walden and excuse me if I have come off a little over the top with enthusiasm.

My completed assignment from weeks 6 & 7 reflect what has been learned because I have been able to apply it into a plan of action. Like the third change agent, I have been able to apply this class to a real world scenario. I was asked to write a brief grant proposal and that is something that I definitely needed help with. It is also something that needs to be done in my district. Funding is not readily accessible and while my district will not adequately provide me with the technological tools needed to make my classroom fit for a 21st century learning environment, there are other means of funding. I have learned with this assignment not to give up and to continue fighting for what is right. I have been guilty of resorting to traditional methods of teaching because that is what the people before me and around me have always done. It is also much easier to use the resources that are available as opposed to completely redesigning our district's curriculum, especially when there is no funding available.

I have learned that this is the big picture. Eventually, before I retire, I hope to enact a change in my school district that will have a lasting impact. I have also learned that this change can only begin in my classroom with me as the leader. Rome wasn't built in a day. Was that the adage I was looking for? I seem to remember it vividly, but I am a little burnt out from all of this extended thinking. I think that my last, ending master's assignment will also mark the beginning for me. I will make honest efforts towards writing grants regularly. Eventually, my voice will be heard and changes will begin to be made. If I can positively integrate new and emerging technologies in my classroom, people will talk and I will generate a buzz. Word of mouth will spread about the great, 21st century lessons that will be taught in my classroom. Administrators will begin to seek out answers as to why my students are so fully engaged in learning that is relevant to the 21st century that eventually they will follow my lead. I am so thankful to have taken my master's through Walden. I am especially thankful to have had such great professors like Dr. Bordelon that have been so patient and understanding.

The only negative to all of this is that I will have to begin monthly payments on the student loans that I took out:(

(hopefully my students will find that it was worth it in the long run:)

Signing off one last time....
Kevin

EDUC 6715 Week 4 Application

Online Learning Modules

Below is a link to the power point that I created for this week's assignment regarding online learning modules. I chose to focus on the popular Moodle site and how it can be implemented into a district / school system.

Week 8 Reflection (EDUC 6714)

I will use the resources in the Differentiation Station social network in a few different ways to help me implement the principles of UDL and DI. First off, I will use such an innovative idea to connect myself with colleagues and possibly introduce this to my students and set up a network for each class or one universal one for each subject. This process will allow them to do exactly what I have done during this course and connect with people that have common goals and objectives as I did. I will definitely hold onto the many different suggestions, links and pieces of advice that my classmates have shared with me through this experience. I am a firm believer in constant progress and never being complacent. This type of learning and working with others in similar situations only encourages such practices.

Before this class, I had already created a class blog and a class wiki to utilize during the school year. Due to many reasons, I have not been keeping up with these two as best as I should or could. Immediate adjustments regarding technology and my instruction will start here since I have already established this as part of our course requirements. I will polish up certain aspects of utilizing these tools as well as explore others, such as Voice Thread and Ning. Most of my students are familiar with social networking sites and are probably more avid users of such technology than I am. Therefore, why not tap into that pool of resources and harness the knowledge that they bring to the table to better the experience for the rest of us? I also plan on immediately incorporating such social networking sites as Ning and what we used during this course. I also believe strongly in learning more by doing. I have strayed from this in recent years due to many reasons and need to get back to what is most important and what UDL and DI principles emphasize on: maximize learning potential for ALL learners. I have unfortunately not done my best job of this and thanks to this course, my professor and classmates, I will be encouraged to get "back on track" and do better.

Kevin