EDLD 5315 Score – 93
In my ADL journey, I have realized that deep learning is not a solitary endeavor but a collaborative process involving several elements. These include working with peers, taking and applying feedback with a growth mindset, completing the assigned readings and supporting resources, like videos and infographics, and engaging in self-reflection. These elements of my academic experience have contributed significantly to my personal and intellectual growth.
Collaboration with my peers has been an instrumental component of my learning process. It is through these interactions that I have been exposed to different perspectives, ideas, and approaches to innovative problem-solving. By participating in all course discussions I encountered classmates with varying backgrounds and viewpoints, which has broadened my understanding of the complex ideas we are studying. In this course, I worked with a core collaboration team that included Dawn Short, and Kelly Skillingberg. I also interacted with Araeli Maria Lopez, Nicole Lipps, Cynthia Thomas, Rachel Hull, and Allison Parsons on the course discussion boards. I am also active in the program’s Facebook group and GroupMe. In these spaces, I was able to receive and provide encouragement, feedback, and answers to questions.
As I developed my action research question, measurement strategy, literature review, and action research plan I was able to participate in a peer review process. The peer review feedback that my collaboration group provided proved invaluable. Dawn, Kelly, and I took time to read each others’ outlines and literature reviews and leave comments to help improve our work. The process of revising assignments has been instrumental in honing my critical thinking and analytical skills. It has taught me the importance of iteration and refinement. I am grateful for the work I have done throughout the ADL program to align my thinking with a growth mindset because this helped me approach feedback from others as an opportunity for improvement rather than as criticism. Each revision cycle encouraged me to delve deeper into the subject and elevate the quality of my work. I believe that this commitment to continuous improvement will serve me well in my future endeavors as well.
Completing all course readings and assignments in a timely manner has been the foundation upon which my learning journey rests. It is my responsibility to engage with the material, whether it is required books, articles, or research papers. The level of my engagement reflects my interest in deepening my own understanding of the subject. The act of reading, comprehending, and synthesizing information equipped me with the knowledge necessary to participate meaningfully in class discussions, complete the required assignments, and make new connections to the content.
Another essential aspect of my journey has been self-reflection. I have made it a habit to regularly pause and contemplate my progress, strengths, and areas for improvement. Self-reflection allows me to identify patterns in my learning style, adapt my study techniques, and set meaningful goals. It also highlights how collaboration with my peers has amplified my learning experience. As I near the end of my ADL journey, I am cognizant of the progress I have made. In my last courses, I set a goal to be more involved in the course discussions. In this course, the collaboration was set up a little bit differently and I really appreciated the requirement for discussion responses to be meaningful. I tried to focus in on a few of my peers’ discussion posts. I was able to understand their research projects and passions better to then provide more purposeful feedforward.
As I continue my educational journey to my last capstone course in the ADL program and beyond, I carry with me the lessons I learning from these experiences. They have not only shaped me as a student but also as a lifelong learner committed to embracing challenges, valuing diverse perspectives, and continuously striving for personal and intellectual growth.
Please see the following images reflecting evidence of collaborations.
Facilitation Innovation 