Running head: GROWTH ASSESSMENT 1

Growth Assessment
Katie L. Browning
Azusa Pacific University
EDTC 526
GROWTHASSESSMENT 2
History of Coursework
Course# Name TermCompleted Professor Keylearnings/reflections
511 FoundationsofEducational
Technology
FallI2013 KathleenBacer LearnedmultipledifferenttechnologypiecesEx:
VoiceThread,Edmodo,andGoogleChat
AccumulatedgreatresourcesformyclassroomEx:
DiscoveryLearning,Adobe,andmultiplewebsites
thatIbookmarknowonDiigo
LearnedhowtouseSakai,GoogleChat,and
Edmodotostayconnectedtomycadremates
571 CurriculumFoundations FallI2013 ValerieSuffern Learnedabouttheoriesandtheoristsofthe
educationworld
LearnedaboutthedifferentfeaturesoftheDiscovery
Educationwebsite
ReviewedandassessedmyselfonGardner's
MultipleIntelligences
517 DigitalCommunications FallII2013 JoeBruzzese WebsiteBuilding
AdvancedBrowsing
LearnedSkype/GoogleHangouts
TwitterandGoogleDocs(Collaborative)
527 SpecialTopics FallII2013 BarryBettger LearnedaboutAssistiveTechnology
Discoveredwhatawikiis
SetupaRSSfeed
Lovedthevirtuallibrary
OnlineFieldTripswereamazing!
Doveintopodcasting
518 Global
Learning/CrossCulture
Classroom
SpringI2014 KathleenBacer LearnedhowtocreateaGLP
Immersedmyselfindifferenttypesofteaching
utilizingtechnology(ex:ePals)
ContinuedtodiveintoTwitter
524 InstructionalDesignand SpringI2014 KathleenBacer CreatedalessonbyusingtheUbdmethod
GROWTHASSESSMENT 3
Development Researchedandlearnedaboutcopyrightacts/rights
Continuedmyblogwithpeercomments
521 DigitalImagery/Learning
Environment
SpringII2014 DoylePotter LearnedhowtouseAdobePremiereandAdobe
Elements
Createdstoryboards,scriptsandvideoclips
Learnedhowtoeditphotos
523 EdApp:Info
Design/Hypermedia
SpringII2014 LauraSilva Utilizedwidgetsonmywebsite
Createdapodcastandthenputonmyblog
Gaveconstructivecriticismtomypeers
515 EmergingTrendsin
Technology
Summer2014 JamesBrown LearnedwhataMOOCwasandevenenrolledinone
CreatedaMARPforteachersatmyschooltouse
forChromebooks
Createdonlinepresentationsforvarioussubjects:
digitalcitizenship,etiquette,etc.
520 Managing
TechnologySupported
Curriculum
Summer2014 ElizabethSilver Evaluatedatechnologyplanformyschool
EvaluatedaSIPplanforanotherschool
Createdarubricandlookingatnewappstotry
526 PracticuminEducation
ApplicationofTechnology
FallI2014 KathleenBacer ParticipatedintwoGlobalLearningProjects
CreatedanePortfoliotoshowoffallmyworkfrom
theprogram
Collaboratedwithcadretocreateawebsite
572 AdvancedEducational
Psychology
FallI2014 JamesBrown CreatedanotherMARPonAttention
MadeapowerpointonSleep/Stress
GROWTH ASSESSMENT 4
Growth
Personal
This program has changed my life in many ways, both professionally and
personally. I am very grateful for the lessons that it has taught me and the skills that I
have learned. Over the past 15 months, I have grown as a person inside and out.
Spiritually, I have been put to the test and reminded of giving all of my life to God and
relying on Him alone to get me through the toughest days. A verse that has been close to
my heart in this program is Romans 15:5, May the God who gives endurance and
encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ J esus.
This verse sums up how I feel about my cadremates. We have grown so close through
phone, web chat, forums, and e-mails. I cannot imagine this program with a different
group of people as we have been there for each other through thick and thin.
Immediately, I was bombarded with the challenge of having to organize and plan
my days. At first, it was hard trying to balance this program, work, and family and
friends. There were many nights and weekends when I felt that it wasnt fair at how hard
I was working. Now, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and how professionally
and spiritually it has changed my world. With each new course I would dive into the
syllabus right away, order the textbooks, and buy a notebook to jot down things to
remember throughout the nine weeks. This system seemed to be crucial to me in setting
up a successful term.
This past year, I have watched my mother- in- law go through two cancer scare
surgeries, my sister go through a horrible divorce, and my husband and I struggle with
GROWTH ASSESSMENT 5
successfully making a baby. God has been there for me through all of them! My mother-
in- law ended up cancer free, my sister is now in a much healthier relationship, and I am
currently in my sixth month of pregnancy. I have truly relied on God each and every day.
I was challenged with prayer in this program's Spiritual Focus, and I still to this day dont
turn on the radio in the mornings on the way to school, or home from school so that I can
talk to God and listen to Him. At times, I would find myself frustrated, lost, or confused
with the program, and then I would see a devotional that would give me hope and
rejuvenation. Every devotional and Spiritual Focus that I did in these courses has helped
my walk with God this past year.
Professional
One of the biggest achievements that I will accomplish for my family in receiving
this higher education is moving to the highest tier in salary, plus a stipend each year for
getting my masters. This is a significant amount of money, and God's timing is perfect, as
we are preparing for our daughter to arrive this winter. In my district, this degree is well
respected and will allow me to apply for technology positions at the district office. We
have multiple Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSA) positions right now, and the
majority of them are in the technology department. Our district as a whole is trying to get
a device in every students hand in two years. I definitely see myself looking into one of
those positions in the near future.
This summer, I attended a couple of our district's technology trainings and for
once they seemed easy. I try going into them with an open mind, yet usually leaving very
GROWTH ASSESSMENT 6
frustrated and overwhelmed. With the help of this program, I dont feel as exhausted this
time around. By attending these trainings, I was able to talk to my students and their
parents about technology at the beginning of this year with confidence. I introduced our
new Learning Management System (Canvas), online textbooks, and our class website.
The management system that my district adopted for the next three years is very
similar to Sakai, and thus I feel like I have a head start on my colleagues. There are
forums that I will be using with my students, I can post assignments, and it even has a
calendar option. The students are learning it fast because we used Edmodo in the past and
the two are similar as well. The Common Core Standards are big on giving students
choice, Todays students must have critical thinking skills that surpass memorization
(Lindsay & Davis, 2013, p.159). I feel that using the applications provided in the new
program will allow students to be creative and work toward Common Core goals.
I have spoken at workshops for my district because I attended the Computer-
Using Educators, Inc. (CUE) conference, and my principal knows that I am in the EDTC
program. I am proud to give presentations knowing that I am trained so well from Azusa
Pacific University (APU). I am ecstatic to apply the knowledge I have accumulated, as
job paths may arise that I am willing to venture down soon.
Technical
This program has given me more confidence at work than ever before. Teachers
are even coming to me with technology questions, which never used to happen. At my
school I am starting to be known as a techy and I am okay with that! Over the course
of this year, I have come so far in my technical capabilities. From joining Twitter to
GROWTH ASSESSMENT 7
creating multiple websites, I now have the confidence needed to be a productive teacher
in the classroom. The world in which todays students live is significantly different from
the past, therefore we need to make sure they use different technologies to
communicate and to access information from multiple resources (Shelly & Gunter, 2012,
p.15). Using technology is strongly encouraged at my school, and I am fortunate that my
principal is a huge supporter.
When I first started the program at APU, I was using the Liquid Crystal Display
(LCD) screen for lessons, showing videos, and even using an airliner to write on a tablet
for lessons. I used Edmodo for collaboration and dabbled in Class Dojo for behavior.
After gaining confidence in my abilities and not being afraid to try new things, I am now
able to bring so much more to my students. The Global Learning Projects have opened
my students eyes to a world of opportunity. I introduced the project by using our new
Chromebooks. The students are more excited about learning and love that they can
communicate with anyone in the world.
The professors in the Educational Technology Courses (EDTC) Bacer, Bettger,
Brown, Bruzzese, Potter, Silva, Silver, Suffern (2013) have guided me through Adobe
Acrobat, Photoshop, and Premiere. Each of these wonderful programs have helped me
master skills such as creating/commenting on pdf's, editing photos, and creating amazing
videos. I have used the videos from the course already in my class this year. In fact, it
was a physical education video that we showed the entire 6th grade on the first day of
school. Other items I have used at work have been discovering Diigo, continuing to share
on Edmodo, and creating multiple websites using Wix and Weebly. I now have
ownership in implementing and sharing technology with my colleagues and students.
GROWTH ASSESSMENT 8
Life Long Learning
Researching:
Continuing to look at ways to use Google Docs in the classroom
Common Core implementation using Blooms Taxonomy
Ways to use iPads in the classroom: Pick Me! App, Class DoJ o, Popplet, Skype,
etc.
Grants for technology in the classroom: Donors Choose
Reading:
Educational Twitter Feeds
Teacher blogs: blog.reallgoodstuff.com
Technology resources on our district website
Archiving
Continuing to add to my Diigo account (bookmarking)
Sites for Online Virtual Field Trips: www.educatorstechnology.com
Adding fabulous ideas/resources on my school Pinterest boards
Videos: YouTube, Discovery Streaming, TeacherTube
Buying treasures from Teachers Pay Teachers
Reflecting
Professional Learning Communities with my colleagues
Looking at organization, practices, and efficiency: using student work, anecdotal
notes and graphic organizers
Participating
Global Learning Projects: Teddy Bear, Whats in a Name?, and Garden Fun
Attending CUE again in Spring 2015
Districts LMS: Canvas to communicate with students and teachers
GROWTH ASSESSMENT 9
Conclusion
The EDTC Masters Program (Bacer et al., 2013) has challenged me, guided me,
and encouraged me to be the person that I am today. Throughout this time, I have been
through so much spiritually, professionally, and personally. What this program has given
me is direction and focus. J eremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you,
declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and
a future. The long days and nights of hard work that seemed to go by so slow are
quickly declining. Technology is now a huge part of who I am as a teacher. I am
effectively integrating it and can see a positive influence on my students every day. My
life seems to be taking shape and I know that God is in control. I look forward to the
multiple opportunities that may present themselves to me in the future.
GROWTH ASSESSMENT 10
References
Bacer,K., Bettger,B., Brown,J ., Bruzzese,J ., Potter,D., Silva,L., Silver,E., Suffern,V.
(2013). Online Master of Arts in Educational Technology. School of Education and
Behavioral Studies, Azusa Pacific University. Azusa, CA. Retrieved from
http://sakai.apu.edu
Bevers, J . (2014). Positive Effects of Technology in the Classroom [Photograph].
Retrieved from http://tex.org/how-technology-is-having-a-positive-effect-on-
education/
Lindsay, J ., & Davis, V. A. (2013). Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds: Move to
Global Collaboration One Step at a Time. Boston: Pearson.
Shelly, G. B., Gunter, G. A., & Gunter, R. E. (2012). Teachers Discovering Computers:
Integrating Technology in a Connected World (7th ed.). Boston: Course
Technology