My Journey in Educational Technology

Aimee Rose
EDUC 526 Capstone Experience in Digital Teaching and Learning
Professor: Joanne Gilbreath
San Diego Campus
LiveBinder: http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=1056249
March 12, 2015

Aimee Rose EDUC 526 Growth Assessment

Azusa Pacific University-San Diego Regional Center-Spring 1 2015

Page 1

Introduction
Coming into the world of special education, I knew that there was much more to know
than content to ensure a maximized learning experience for my students with special needs. It
was brought to my attention that there was an opportunity to explore technology and its
educational application in the Masters in Digital Teaching and Learning program at Azusa
Pacific University.
I was blessed to find a teaching position immediately following the commencement of
my teaching credential program. This meant that I was entering the world of teaching without yet
the mastery of technology that I had wanted. However, it was the perfect environment to be
working in while I was learning in the M.A.Ed. program. I had daily opportunities to apply my
knowledge and understand educational technology on a deeper level.
My goals for the digital teaching program included exploring a world in which I felt
foreign to. I knew that I was no expert and had barely gotten my feet wet. I knew it would be a
challenge but I also knew I needed to know more to be a relevant educator in the 21st century.
Specifically, I wanted to learn how to use digital platforms for collaborative learning, how to
increase communication in the home/school relationship and how to modify tasks to meet the
needs of unique learners using technology. I have successfully acquired all of these skills in the
program.
Personal Growth
Personally I have learned a lot about my learning habits through this program. I learned
that I am a visual kinesthetic learner and that it is okay to learn some things through watching
videos despite what some might say. I have learned that I tend be plagued by mental blocks when
being overwhelmed by large tasks and must plan a sequence of actions to ensure that I am not
overwhelmed. I have also learned that despite what challenges come my way I always persevere
and never give up. Quitting has never been an option.
There have been times when I was not sure how I would make it to the finish line of this
program given that I am working fulltime, have a disability, and am the mother of a child with a
disability. However, I have always been reminded that faith and determination are on my side.
The defining moments in a persons life are not when they fall down but when they get back up
again. I have learned to trust and commit to success and purpose. I knew practically nothing
about educational technology at the beginning of this program and now feel the ability to lead a
team of teachers at my school in integrating technology into their teaching and learning
opportunities.
Completing this degree means to me that boundaries are not always defined. I may not
have been born into the age of technology but I can be technology literate. I may have been
classified as a beginner as far as fluency goes but believe that I can now be reclassified as
proficient. I have learned from facing one of my greatest challenges that I can always grow and
accomplish more than what I can imagine today.

Aimee Rose EDUC 526 Growth Assessment

Azusa Pacific University-San Diego Regional Center-Spring 1 2015

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Professional Growth
As an educator I have integrated new technologies into my classroom. From the way I
present information, to the way my students demonstrate learning, to how I communicate with
parents, I have an entirely revamped approach to teaching which is technology rich. Beyond
academics I have incorporated technology into behavior management with the class dojo system.
I can now call myself a relevant educator in the 21st century.
I had always known that technology was essential to creating a learning environment that
was appropriate for the current times. However, I did not know how rich it could be. I have
changed my views on student work mediums and am more open to project based learning that
relies heavily on technology to expand learning opportunities beyond the classroom walls. So
what, who cares? Everyone sitting in your classroom cares. Even if they dont know it, they
would have a more meaningful learning experience if offered real world and technology focused
learning opportunities.
Since beginning the master's program, I have taken upon myself the exploration of small
group interventions with technology apps. The students I serve have not had much opportunity
for technology based learning in the past. My students have unique needs and it takes a lot of
time and energy to create new programs to meet their needs but I am hoping that once these
opportunities are set in place, there will be minor changes that need to be made for each student
coming into the program. Additionally, I have been attending numerous common core trainings
this year and am working to connect learning experiences for students with special needs to the
common core standards utilizing differentiated educational technologies. Particularly, we use
web-quests as learned in Educ 512, digital video in phonics groups as learned in 514, class dojo
for behavior and parent communication as learned in 515, and differentiation apps such as
Dragon Dictation as learned in Educ 522. These are just a few of the wonderful additions and
alterations I have made to my educational approach since the beginning of the masters program.
Further, I have learned how to obtain measurable growth through action research. In Educ
526 I took action relevant to both my personal and professional life by measuring the impact of
reading time with my daughter on her independent reading fluency. The specific question was
Will reading with my daughter for 30 minutes a day for 4 weeks increase her reading fluency by
measure of words per minute? Using action research in this program has helped me to
determine how to use it in the classroom.
Technical Growth
At the beginning of the program I knew how to use basic word processors, email, digital
calendars and Facebook. My repertoire of digital technology was lacking to say the least. I had to
learn how to use an IPad, how to download and use apps, how to utilize different technologies
simultaneously (e.g. embed a video I created into a blog or Prezi presentation). I now use my
IPad daily and dont know how I survived without it. I learned from Educ 512 how to utilize my
IPad and from Educ 514 how to create movies with my IPad. In Educ 515 I expanded how I use
it to include the Remind 101 app for parent and student communications and Class Dojo for
student behaviors. In 522 I learned how to upload videos to YouTube and integrate technology
Aimee Rose EDUC 526 Growth Assessment
Azusa Pacific University-San Diego Regional Center-Spring 1 2015

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apps into the classroom for differentiation. I am applying my technology growth in the classroom
and am continually challenging myself to explore further. My next goal is to create a classroom
forum via MyBigCampus or Edmodo which I learned about in Educ 512 and 522.
Life Long Learning Plan
I know that I am more prepared now than ever to utilize educational technologies
available to me as an educator. However, I am also aware that later and greater technologies are
evolving quickly and that I will have to stay tuned in to this world to stay up to date. I will use
digital resources such as Pinterest and YouTube to explore and share the most current and
relevant technology resources I come across that are useful in education.
Of all of the areas explored in the program I really enjoyed learning how to make and edit
videos. One of the greatest things about this technology is that it allows me to bring the world
into the classroom. This is one area that I would like to look into expanding my expertise further.
I would also like to further develop my behavior management and data collection skills by
utilizing technology resources I have learned about in this programs as this is an area of need for
all special education teachers and general education teachers alike.
I see myself moving forward and always growing in my exploration of relevant
technologies. In five years I would like to have created a library of intriguing educational videos
of special education students that correspond to common core standards. I would also like to be a
primarily project based learning teacher with technology rich projects. In ten years I hope that I
am a part of a larger group of professionals who collaborate to create digitally wise and
competent learners who can prove their learning in a variety of ways using a myriad of
technology tools available to them in the classroom. I am just at the beginning of my teaching
journey, and well as my digital teaching exploration. I hope to one day feel as uncomfortable
with technology absent learning, as I felt about utilizing digital educational technologies prior to
entering this program.
History of Coursework and Course Evaluation
Name:

Aimee Rose

Term:

Spring 1 2015
Course Title Term
& Instructor Complet
ed
Name

Cours
e

EDUC
511

Foundations in
Digital
Teaching and
Learning
INSTRUCTOR:
Joanne
Gilbreath

Fall 1
2013

LiveBin
der
URL:

http://www.livebinders.com/pl
ay/play?id=1056249

Key Skills
Acquired

Comments/Suggestions

*Created a
LiveBinder for the
Masters program
*Explored
Technology
Standards in
education

*The LiveBinder comes in

useful at the end of the
program but I wonder if
there is a more visually
pleasing, advanced
platform to use in the
future.

Aimee Rose EDUC 526 Growth Assessment

Azusa Pacific University-San Diego Regional Center-Spring 1 2015

Page 4

EDUC
512

Instructional
Applications
Productivity
Software

Fall 2
2013

INSTRUCTOR:
Mark Rounds

EDUC
514

EDUC
515

EDUC
522

EDUC
526

Digital Video in
the Classroom
INSTRUCTOR:
Mark Rounds

Evolving
Educational
Technologies
INSTRUCTOR:
Torrance
Temple

Learning in the
21st Century
INSTRUCTOR:
Richard Gieb

Capstone
Experience/
Digital
Teaching and

Fall 1
2014

Fall 2
2014

Spring 1
2014

Spring 1
2015

*Learned how to
create a blog,
classroom
newsletters, and
other digitally rich
modes of
communication in
education
*Learned which
instructional apps
apply to different
components of
Webbs Depth of
Knowledge
*Learned how to
use IMovie for
editing and
creating videos.
*Learned different
shot effects and
the rule of thirds
when shooting
video.
*Wrote a case
study of
educational
technology.
*Created a blog
with weekly
entries on different
aspects of
educational
technology
*Created a unit
based on
standards and
multiple
intelligences
utilizing
educational apps
and technology
programs.
*Created a final
video to showcase
the unit
*Created a
Portfolio
*Synthesized
Program work in
the LiveBinder

*I liked having some face

to face classes to work out
kinks. This is helpful for
kinesthetic learners but
was not offered for all
classes in the program.

*This was a great class and

the instructor really knew
how to teach the content.
It was straight forward and
enjoyable but challenging
at the same time.

*I enjoyed this class but

wish that the program
would be more streamlined
so that professors use the
same programs such as
Blogger vs Weebly so that
there was more continuity
between classes.
*It was extremely
overwhelming to take this
class out of sequence as I
was responsible to know
the components of classes
I hadnt taken. It would be
nice to ensure that classes
will be offered each
session so that students
can take them in
sequence.
*This was a nice closure to
the program. It
summarized the learning
across the courses and
allowed for reflection of

Aimee Rose EDUC 526 Growth Assessment

Azusa Pacific University-San Diego Regional Center-Spring 1 2015

Page 5

Learning
INSTRUCTOR:
Joanne
Gilbreath

*Created a video
to reflect the
coursework

growth throughout the

program.

Evaluation of the impact of the Digital Teaching and Learning Program

One instructional strategy I have learned and would like to use in my classroom is
collaborative student focused learning through digital forums such as MyBigCampus or Edmodo.
Forums like these have a variety of usage such as out of classroom collaboration/homework,
rotation work that has been differentiated, or Socrative type discussions for advanced learners.
The opportunities seem endless with a forum like this. You can use it as a home base for a webquest or embed other types of technology within them. I am hoping to have one set up for my
class going into the next school year.
Program Evaluation
My overall experience at Azusa Pacific University has been positively impactful on my
life. The first day I came to discuss my educational goals with Dr. Stephen Cochrane I felt that
this school was a great fit for me. The support has been endless and I have carried on
relationships with professors beyond the classroom. I have never attended a school that was so
invested in each of its students. Professors set high expectations but are there to guide you along
the way. I found that I am a project based learner and enjoyed when these assignments were
offered. Most of my professors did not simply teach lectures an expect us to absorb information.
They presented learning opportunities and welcomed questions and asked for comments. The
classrooms at APU reflected true collaborative learning. I look forward to continuing my
educational journey with APU in the clear credential program.

Aimee Rose EDUC 526 Growth Assessment

Azusa Pacific University-San Diego Regional Center-Spring 1 2015

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