Running Head: GROWTH ASSESSMENT 1

Growth Assessment Education Technology

Ashley Ring

Azusa Pacific University

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Growth Assessment

History of Coursework

Table 1

History of Coursework

Term/ Professor/
Course Yr Instructor Key Learnings
 Hands on learning with Wordle.
 Lots of online teaching strategies and resources
Spring
Educ 540 Dr. Bacer to use.
1/2018
 SAMR model was quite useful. 

 Establishing a comprehensive management

Spring
TESP 501 Dr. Bradley plan
1/2018
 Creating procedures
 Creating engaging lessons
Spring  Study of the brain and learning
TESP 502 Dr. Bradley
1/2018  Memories and emotions are links to learning
 Background knowledge-KWL chart
 Pedagogical models
Spring  I do, We do, You do
TESP 511 Dr. Kaiser
2/2018  Differentiation
o
 Rhody Secondary Reading Attitude
Spring Assessment
TESP 531 Dr. Sullivan
2/2018  Daly-Miller Test
 Literary Environment survey
 Mastered presentations with an embedded
speaking option/ recording.
 Gained lots of valuable knowledge on online
Fall topics and emerging trends
Educ 548 Dr. Brown
1/2018  Learned how to keep safe on the dark web
 Research projects gave me supplemental
materials that I can reference and use
throughout my career.
 Explored the process of creating the
assessments
Fall 1/  Explored the implications and strategies made
TESP 512 Dr. Boden
2018 along the way of assessment creation for
equitable purposes.
 Analyzed assessments and results
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 Learned how to implement google slides,

sheets, and forms.
Fall Mrs.
Educ 546  Learned how to build and create an entire
2/2018 Hernandez
website
 Gained knowledge about Twitter and chat
 Introduced to the ILP plan
Fall 2/
TEP 533 Dr. Jones  Focused on the less fortunate in the community
2018
and how to differentiate to a different extent.
 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of
Summ
Education
TESP 503 er Dr. Gross
 Values of teaching
2018
 Embracing cultural diversity
 Learned the way school systems operate.
Summ  Met with a board of principals.
TESP 504 er Dr. Law  Networking
2018  Moral imperative
 Coherence plan
 Assistive technologies that help to level the
playing field.
Spring  Expanded the ideas behind equity,
Educ 547 Dr. Courduff
1/2020 differentiation, and incorporating the Universal
Design for learning.
 Multiple intelligences
 Hands on learning for cycle one of the Cal TPA
Spring
TEP 532 Dr. Lee  Ensuring UDL techniques are implemented
1/2020
into lessons
 Creating a life-long learning plan
Spring
EDUC 549 Dr. Bacer  Creating an eportfolio to demonstrate best
2/2020
work
Spring  Hands on learning for cycle two of Cal TPA
TEP 534 Dr. Gross
2/2020  Career resources & interviewing skills

Personal Growth

Throughout my Single Subject Credential with a Master of Arts in Education: Learning

and Technology (SS/ LRNT) program (Bacer et al., 2018-2020), I have grown on a personal

level exponentially. Two areas in particular that are noteworthy of mentioning is the growth of

my self-awareness and my collaboration skills. These have really helped to develop my problem-
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solving skills that were in need of some refinement, as well as my willingness to reach out and

collaborate with my peers and coworkers. Another area of growth that took place was the

confidence that came alongside my willingness to collaborate. After going through these areas of

growth, I was able to recognize and examine these aspects of improvement on a personal level.

Over the past year and a half, I have become very aware of the importance of my own

personal values, strengths, weakness, and my emotions. I have always been very in tune with my

emotions, but my journey has taught me to use these very raw feelings to motivate my overall

success. This self-awareness grew in strength rapidly, helping me to set boundaries while

unveiling my true potential. Looking inward I could see that changing my mindset was huge and

vital to surpassing some of my flaws. I learned to take criticism as an avenue of growth instead

of an area of fault. When it comes to discovering and developing your strengths in academics or

your career, Strengths Quest offers some pertinent examples. One in particular piece of

knowledge that really resonated with me from the beginning of my journey was, “Self-awareness

means you see your talents and strengths clearly, but it also means you are aware of your

weaknesses. By weaknesses we simply mean any lack of knowledge, skill, or talent that

negatively affects your performance or that of others.” (Gallup, 2012, p.76)

I have always been an individual who has had a hard time asking for help. It stems from

my childhood as I had to learn to fend for myself and depend on myself quite often. This was a

big one for me to overcome, as collaboration was so much deeper for me and always has been.

However, reaching out to others has taught me that often times others are going through quite

relatable situations. Also, working with others creates better opportunities toward working to

finding a solution. Collaboration has also gifted me the ability to see other’s perspectives, in

addition to expounding on my own perspectives.

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Like a domino effect, learning to be more self-aware while applying perspectives I

learned from others, really helped to boost my confidence. This came with the assurance of

knowing who I am. Overall, this new found assurance guided my morals and values while

boosting my confidence. Without the confidence to back up my choices I’m not sure I’d be

strong enough to take action, but my confidence continues to guide me in the right direction.

Ultimately, the growth in my self-awareness, collaboration skills, and confidence has

helped shaped me into a well-rounded individual. The growth in these areas have also helped me

to be honest about future areas of growth and how to approach those. This increase in knowledge

has given me a great sense of who I am, and the person that I want to continue to become.

Recognizing that there will always be growth to make will help me to be genuine with myself

while being able to fall back on the foundation that these skills have made for me.

Professional Growth

Since the start of my (SS/ LRNT) program (Bacer et al., 2018-2020), I have grown

professionally in many aspects. The most important area of professional growth has been my

ability to improve on my teaching skills. Another region of growth has been my capacity to get to

know students on a personal level. The growth that took place professionally has really helped

me to maximize my presence in my current role as a student teacher and growing professional.

Seeing my teaching skills evolve into solid lesson plans, diverse teaching strategies,

equitable procedures, and the ability to create a welcoming learning environment, has allowed

me to feel more secure in my overall competence as a successful teacher and mentor.

This knowledge grew into techniques and styles that I was able to showcase in the classroom

both as a student and as a student teacher. Ultimately, this led to the refinement of my
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pedagogical skills. Acquiring this knowledge guided the confidence to manage any type of

diverse classroom equitably.

Prior to embarking on my extended journey through education, I didn’t realize how much

growth I had the potential of stumbling upon. I was already teaching at a private school, and had

frustrations with the education system. Therefore, I wasn’t sure that going back to school would

change any of that. However, I was delightfully wrong when I found new strategies that were

coming to light, to accommodate the ever-growing diversification in today’s classroom. It was so

refreshing to come into the (SS/ LRNT) program (Bacer et al., 2018-2020), and learn skills that

have helped to differentiate student’s needs, regardless of their backgrounds. Strengths Quest

leaves us to ponder this question, “We wonder what would happen to ethnic and cultural

divisions if everyone first knew each other in terms of their talents and strengths.” (Gallup, 2012,

p.294)

Teaching to the middle of the class is no longer a way that education is heading. I am

beyond grateful to be a part of such a necessary change. Bringing my professional teaching skills

with me, I am excited to be able to continue maximizing my success in getting to know my

students. This knowledge will be used to modify and update classroom lesson plans, and

teaching methods, that will guide the differentiation strategies needed in my classroom.

Technical Growth

The growth attained in the area of technical growth, has by far been the most significant

area of growth. Upon realizing that technology could not be avoided, I decided to embark on a

journey to overcome my fear of the unknown, technology. During my journey I discovered how

much of a powerful tool technology can be, if implemented correctly and effectively. The growth
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that took place in my ability to understand technology directly impacted my ability to

successfully implement it in the classroom.

Going from the complete avoidance of technology implementation in all aspects of my

life, to now enforcing technology to drive engagement, has been a complete transformation to

my prior teaching methods. The (SS/ LRNT) program (Bacer et al., 2018-2020), has taught me

so many tools and given me so many resources that I couldn’t see teaching any other way. I now

realize how beneficial technology is to learning. Moreover, how technology contributes to

providing an authentic learning experience for students with all sorts of different learning

abilities and interests.

Looking back on my journey, I am so grateful to be a part of education during such a

revolutionary time. I look forward to continuing to strengthen my skills with technology, equity,

and compassion for my students. I no longer fear technology and clearly understand how much it

can add to a lesson. Bridging the gap between the classroom and the real-world will continue to

make its way, and this program has given me the ability to comprehensively include engaging

and meaningful lessons that do so. Ultimately, my students will be prepared to evolve with the

world, as my classroom will continue to evolve for them.

Life Long Learning Plan

My Life Long Learning Plan will help me to stay up to date with current and upcoming

educational platforms alongside educational trends. Additionally, my proposal will really help

me to meet the true passion behind my commitment to teaching, which is helping students to

succeed. This success will be delegated with my guidance academically, mentally, and

emotionally. In addition to the mentioned items, my plan to continue learning will be through

perpetuated education and collaboration by:

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 Attending Staff Development meetings to keep myself enthralled in techniques, district

resources, and student needs.

 Staying involved with the community to help support students and parents in the community.

 Creating blogs to further cross curricular activities and mental health awareness.

 Reading academic journals that help focus on assessing student data to create lessons.

 Constructing reflective journals to update lesson plans based on the results.

 Collaborating with peers and veteran teachers to improve my teaching abilities and methods.

 Attending conferences to network for further support and stay up to date with technology.

Conclusion

My learning experiences with my (SS/ LRNT) program (Bacer et al., 2018-2020), have

been filled with excellent hands on educational skills and techniques involving technology, while

creating a diverse, yet equitable, learning environment. My (SS/LRNT) program (Bacer et al.,

2018-2020), has set me up with a box of tools and resources that I will be able to continue to

build upon and thrive on. Additionally, this program (Bacer et al., 2018-2020) has given me a

solid foundation to continue growing and learning in the field of education and technology. My

overall experience has gifted me with an new found benevolence toward my own self-awareness,

which will ultimately allow me to improve on my strengths and weakness to provide my students

with a well-rounded and continually striving teacher. My continued growth will set the stage and

example for my students to see that there is never an end to gaining knowledge, even for their

teacher.

References

Bacer, K., Boden, K., Bradley, A., Brown, J., Courduff, J., Gross, M., Hernandez, K., Jones, R.,

Kaiser, G., Lee, H., Sullivan, T. (2018 - 2020). Master of Arts in Education: Learning and
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Technology.  School of Education, Azusa Pacific University. Azusa, CA. Retrieved from

http://canvas.apu.edu.

Bacer, K. (2020). Educ549: Capstone Experience in Learning and Technology. Master of Arts in

Education: Learning and Technology. School of Education, Azusa Pacific University.

Azusa, CA. Retrieved from http://canvas.apu.edu.

Clifton, D. O., & Anderson, E. (2001). StrengthsQuest: Discover and develop your strengths in

academics, career, and beyond. (1st ed. 2002.). Washington, D.C.: Gallup Organization.