A Reflection of the ePortfolio
My ePortfolio has become a documented journey of my learning since I began the ADL program. It has allowed me to have a place where I can reflect on the components of the program, my collaboration with my peers, and the extended reading research I have done that connects to my innovation plan.
About the Learning
As I created my innovative plan, I reflected on what kind of learner I am and documented this in the Learning Manifesto. As passionate as I feel about giving students the opportunity to work with technology in the classroom, I believe in the Constructivist theory that students need hands-on experiences. You can read more about my Learning Philosophy, where I explain my research and why I identify as a Constructivist. Throughout my career, I have been an advocate of differentiation so that all students are provided the opportunity to succeed. After beginning the ADL program, I now understand the importance of students having a choice and voice over their learning when given authentic learning opportunities. I feel that my innovation plan will give my students the choice and voice along with authentic learning opportunities. Through my plan, I will allow students to learn by creating significant learning environments.
Innovation Plan
My innovation plan is about giving students a choice over their learning. It will integrate blended learning into the primary elementary classroom through the use of station rotations. The station rotation model is one of the least complex models to implement and adapt, and it is one that teachers are most familiar with. Teachers will work together to create choice boards for the stations so that students can be given a choice and a voice through authentic projects they submit for social studies.
Developing a Growth Mindset
When I began this program, this new way of learning where I was given a choice, ownership, and voice over my learning was so new to me that I had a hard time grasping it. In order to help my teachers move forward with my innovation plan, I will introduce them to my research and reflections in my Growth Mindset Plan. Adopting a growth mindset has helped me to connect with my learning and understand the philosophy behind the ADL program.
Contributions to My Learning and the Learning Community
When I started this program, I assumed I would be working independently and only asking questions if necessary. When I learned that it was a requirement to collaborate and contribute to a learning community, I was very hesitant and shy about it. It was a massive step outside of my comfort zone. As I began to post on the discussion pages and post to my blog, I realized that the expectations I have for my students should also apply to myself. Real learning takes place when we can talk about it, apply it, and use what we have learned.
Final Comments
My ePortfolio has been a work in progress and I am amazed to see what it has turned into. What started out as difficult, became something that I enjoyed working on. It is a reflection of myself as a learner and of my learning philosophy. It is a place where I can collaborate with others who have similar interests. My ePortfolio is only in its beginning stages and I look forward to seeing where it goes from here.
Blended Elementary 