I sometimes think self-assessment is the most difficult of any course assessment. It forces me to reflect deeply on my learning and engagement. It also is a battle between being proud of what I have accomplished and honestly considering how I could improve. This term I am giving myself a 92/100 on my Contribution to Learning in EDLD 5302.
I believe that this score is appropriate based on the key and supporting contributions that I have achieved. I have a much better idea of the collaboration required in the ADL program after completing my first two classes last term. I am pleased that I was able to continue working with my “collaboration crew” for the past eight weeks. My crew consists of Chantilly Sweet, Rebecca Rodgers, and Shay McDonald. We support one another through a Facebook messenger group as well as occasional Zoom meetings. I was able to receive and give feedforward on all assignments within this group. I edited and revised each assignment after getting feedforward from my group. Our collaboration crew was already formed when this class began, and we share the leadership of the group pretty equally. Please see evidence of this collaboration attached to this post.
I fully participated in all class readings, video recordings, discussions, and synchronous class meetings. The only exception was having to watch the recording of our last class meeting due to a travel conflict. One of my goals from last term was to write more thoughtful and researched responses to class discussions. My other goal was to provide three meaningful replies to my classmates’ posts in each discussion. I worked hard this term to revisit the discussion posts regularly and respond consistently. While I plan to continue to make an effort in this area, I feel good about the progress I made on these goals this term. I felt that focusing on greater engagement in the whole class discussions kept me connected to the group. It also fostered additional connections to the content that I hadn’t made on my own.
In my reflection on what I would like to continue to improve I identified a measurable goal. Moving forward I want to work on posting more often to my site. I think I get overwhelmed by the idea that every post needs to be lengthy and fully researched. The reality is that my vision for my ePortfolio site is to share the real life connections that I am making between my ADL coursework and my professional and personal endeavors. Next term my goal is to post something every week. It will take concerted attention to the topics at hand in the course and looking for application in my professional life. I believe that focusing on this goal will help me to deepen my learning.
In addition to posting more often, I also want to share what I am writing. When I did take the time to compose posts sharing my learning connections this term, I took a next step and shared one of my posts to my LinkedIn account. I was nervous to put my content out there for all of my colleagues (and beyond!) to see. It was a positive experience and I received good reactions. This experience helped assuage some of my fear of putting myself out there. My goal is to share at least two of my posts next term to a wider audience via social media or one of my learning networks.
I am so grateful for the growth that I have seen in the short few months since I began my master’s degree program. While there is still much to learn and do, I feel more confident in my abilities and supported by my fellow students’ feedforward and camaraderie. Here’s to a bright, shiny new year full of possibility!
Facilitation Innovation 