Class Breakdown

Click on each class name to view the page.

EDLD 5305 - Disruptive Innovation in Education: This course gave me a new perspective on the concept of disruption and helped me understand why it is essential for meaningful change. I realized that without innovation, progress cannot truly occur or be sustained over time. Throughout the course, I was challenged to think critically about how innovation could take shape within my own organization, and I began this process by developing an innovation plan. Conducting a literature review allowed me to explore the research behind my ideas and confirm the importance and relevance of my plan. I also learned that meaningful implementation takes time and intentional planning. By the end of the course, I had created an implementation outline that mapped out how my plan could unfold in realistic and manageable steps, ensuring that the innovation would have a lasting impact.

EDLD 5302 - Concepts of Ed Tech: This course deepened my understanding of the differences between fixed and growth mindsets, allowing me to begin cultivating my own growth mindset as a learner. As I progressed, I expanded my professional learning networks—both digitally and within my campus community—and developed a clearer understanding of how learning evolves through reflection and connection. Through the creation of my Learning Manifesto, I was able to articulate my beliefs about the learning process and the importance of continuous growth. It was also in this course that I was introduced to the COVA (Choice, Ownership, Voice, and Authentic learning) framework, which encouraged me to take true ownership of my learning. Developing my voice as a learner and professional was not always easy, but through consistent practice and an openness to the process, I gained the confidence to express my ideas with authenticity and purpose.

EDLD 5303 - Apply Educational Technology-ePortfolio: In this course, I had the opportunity to further develop my ePortfolio by building upon the foundation established in previous courses. This experience allowed me to refine and expand my professional identity as both a digital learner and an educator. Throughout the process, I curated content that represented the breadth of my learning, experiences, and ongoing growth. I incorporated elements such as my resume, examples of my work both within and beyond the program, and links to my professional blog, all of which collectively showcased my development and potential as a reflective digital learning leader.

EDLD 5304 - Leading Organizational Change: Once I developed an understanding of what it means to create change, I needed to learn how to put that understanding into action. This required careful consideration of the why, what, and how behind the goals I was setting. Through this course, I strengthened my leadership skills and learned how to communicate effectively, build influence, and address resistance to change in constructive ways. I discovered that leading meaningful change involves more than simply gaining buy-in—it requires sustained influence, transparent communication, and consistent execution to ensure that innovation takes root and endures.

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EDLD 5313 - Creating Significant Learning Environments: Creating Significant Learning Environments (CSLE) requires far more than maintaining an organized classroom. Implementing the principles of CSLE involves fostering engagement, building authentic connections, cultivating a growth mindset, and integrating the COVA (Choice, Ownership, Voice, and Authentic learning) framework, among other essential components. Grounded in a well-developed learning philosophy, a significant learning environment emphasizes the use of overarching goals and backward design to position students as active participants in their own learning process. Consequently, when technology is thoughtfully integrated into this environment, it enhances learning in meaningful ways, providing students with authentic, purpose-driven educational experiences.

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EDLD 5315 - Assessing Digital Learning and Instruction: Effectiveness in education extends far beyond designing a well-structured lesson. It involves ongoing evaluation of whether instructional strategies are truly meeting learners' needs within a given environment. Must educators continually ask themselves: Are students engaged? Are they learning, and if so, what evidence supports that learning? While it is sometimes easy to determine the success of a particular method, this is not always the case. In more complex situations, a deeper examination of instructional effectiveness is required. Evaluating digital learning through action research enables educators to critically examine their practices and make informed decisions based on data. The insights gained from this process empower educators to refine their approaches and implement meaningful improvements that enhance both teaching and learning outcomes.

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EDLD 5317 - Resources for Digital Environments: Exploring and evaluating learning environments and digital resources is essential when striving to foster innovation within an organization. As the number of available digital tools continues to expand, educators face the challenge of discerning which tools are not only valuable but also truly transformative for student learning. Effective and innovative leaders must engage in meaningful dialogue about implementation and pedagogy to enhance the quality and relevance of the educational experience. This course reinforced that creating an innovative project is only one part of the process; the greater challenge lies in translating that innovation into meaningful, sustainable change across an organization. As part of this course, I interviewed teachers at my current CTE Center to gain insight into their perceptions of ePortfolios and to better understand how this approach could benefit students across diverse content areas. Through these experiences, I strengthened my professional voice and learned to communicate my ideas with greater clarity and confidence through various digital media platforms.

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EDLD 5318 - Instructional Design in Online Learning: Instructional design is a fundamental component of teaching, as educators engage in it daily to facilitate meaningful learning experiences for students. However, as many educators discovered during the shift to a one-to-one technology initiative, designing effective online instruction presents distinct challenges. While the foundational principles of instruction remain consistent, the shift in environment and delivery mode requires new strategies and considerations. Educators must thoughtfully apply appropriate learning theories, create significant learning environments, align instruction, activities, and assessments, and ensure adherence to curriculum standards. Developing and implementing online or hybrid instruction demands a deeper examination of learning theories and design principles to create engaging, coherent, and effective learning experiences in digital spaces.

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EDLD 5389 - Developing Effective Professional Development: Building upon my innovation plan as a foundation, I developed a professional learning framework to effectively communicate and promote my initiatives. My goal was to design and model professional learning experiences that were authentic, engaging, sustained over time, and tailored to the needs of adult learners. I came to understand that learning is an ongoing process, but for it to be truly effective, it must be meaningful and relevant to the participants. In the field of education, continuous learning is essential, and this course not only deepened my understanding but also enabled me to take an active role in guiding and supporting the growth of others.​

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EDLD 5320 - Synthesis of Applied Digital Learning: As this program comes to a close, I am able to reflect on the work I have accomplished and how it has strengthened my ability to make learning more meaningful and effective. Through analysis, connection to scholarly literature, and ongoing reflection, I have grown not only into a digital learner but also into a digital innovation leader. Over the past eleven months, I have identified and promoted innovative practices, contributed to the creation of significant learning environments, and led efforts toward organizational change. Moving forward, I possess a deeper understanding of the what, why, and how of innovation within my organization, as well as the tools and strategies necessary to sustain continuous growth and improvement.