EDLD 5301 Reflection!

Lecture Reflection: The lectures to me seemed to repeat too much of what we already read.  In most cases, I felt that it was reading to me the bullets as opposed to giving me more details about the bullets. They were informative, but I didn’t feel they were more informative than the readings.

Reading Reflection: I have totally enjoyed the readings since I started this program. All of the leadership books that I have read or that has been required to read, have all benefited my views and perspectives in a positive manner. They have also given me some rejuvenation in areas that I needed it the most because I have had a really rough year on my campus.  These leadership books have made me feel like I could have the power to change positively starting with myself. 

Research Reflection:  I didn’t realize the benefit of research as a professional development and how much it could benefit me in my professional growth.  I have found so many different ideas like the use of EDMODO, a facebook like website for teachers and students, that will help benefit my parental involvement in my classroom.  It is so interesting to me to read the surveys that our campus teachers took, and now the ones that our parents are taking. Data has so much insight to the reasons on why we have issues on our campus, and research provides me with ways to impact those issues!  I feel like I can’t get enough research, but yet I am overwhelming myself with research at the same time!

Assignment and Activities Reflection: I feel the activities and assignments for this course have been very knowledge driven. They have kept me on track and busy, but it has been for my benefit, not just for a grade. I like activities and assignments that I can use the discoveries later.  The only thing to me that was a little confusing was exactly what was needed to be put on TK20.  Sometimes I am not sure what parts of the assignments and activities need to go there.  Also, I wish there would have been more examples in our document section that showed what templates we were using filled out. 

Discussion Board and Blog Reflection: I love discussion boards. I really enjoy being able to add comments on my own time, and have actual discussions about important issues without having to find a time to meet in person. It also takes away the intimidation factor of someone that might be shy with great advice!  I found myself always checking to see what others had posted about my discussions so that I could improve what I am working on!!  I felt the same way with the blogs.  I love the use of the blog! I do feel that we don’t need both.  I think using both for the same purposes and discussions kept either from being as effective as they could have been.  To me, blogs would have been the better way to go, because they do allow us to show some of our own personal style, and they are a little more fun to read! 

Week 4 Reflection

I feel like I am learning at such a great rate that I don't know how large my brain will actually be when I graduate! I may not be able to fit through my classrom before long!! j/k..... With that note, I really enjoyed learning some strategies on sustaining improvement. I feel like I can use those three strategies at any point throughout any changes that are being made.  I feel the Delphi Model and the Nominal Group Technique are great ways to make your fellow teachers and staff feel they all have a voice in the decisions of change.  Speaking from experience, change doesn't go over well when you feel it is being done to you instead of you being a part of it.  If any of you are like me, I feel my mind is never shutting down all the improvements I would like to see on our campus.  And then I get overwhelmed because I am not sure where to start and which one to tackle first! So far this course has made me realize to make successful changes, you have to tackle on specific issue at a time, and  that I my wonderings will never cease to exist, just change form!!!