5317 & 5315 Contribution to Your Learning and the Learning Community

Course Reflection: 5317 & 5315

5317: Resources for Digital Environments

Group Members: Christopher Heighberg, Paula Brasfield, & Thaddeus Komorowski

Grade: 98

5315: Assessing Digital Learning and Instruction

Group Members: Leah Griggs, Kelsie Adams

Grade: 98

When I began these courses, I wasn’t sure what to expect. However, as I move closer to the finish line, my motivation and drive to succeed continue to grow stronger. I approached both courses with a positive mindset and found them to be less challenging compared to my previous 8-week courses. After completing those earlier classes, I made some intentional changes to the way I manage my time and complete assignments—and those changes truly made a difference. These two courses felt more manageable, and I was able to enjoy the learning process even more.

The videos provided by the professors were incredibly helpful, and anytime I had a question or concern, I received timely and constructive response. This made it easier to stay on track and understand expectations.

One strategy that worked well for me was getting ahead in assignments as early as possible. While the first few weeks felt a bit hectic as I tried to get ahead, doing so allowed me to better manage heavier assignments and avoid working while exhausted.

With that said, there’s always room for improvement. I still find that I struggle with the flow of my writing, especially in formal papers. It's something I plan to continue working on.

Group communication was also a highlight in both courses. I’ve been working with Leah and Kelsie since the beginning of the program, and they continue to be supportive and reliable partners. It was my first time collaborating with Christopher, Paula, and Thaddeus, but we worked well together and communicated effectively through GroupMe—which continues to be the most efficient method for group discussions. Interestingly, I also discovered that Paula and I live in the same town and live rarely close, which was a fun surprise!

Summary of Assignments for 5317:

• Publication Outline: Helped organize my ideas and identify a suitable publishing platform. It served as a foundation for my article.

• Publication Rough Draft: A step-by-step article on scaffolding digital literacy in early childhood education. My peers provided thoughtful and helpful feedback.

• Media Project: A brief recording aimed at encouraging early childhood educators to engage with my article.

• Publication Final Draft: A refined version of my article after incorporating feedback and revisions.

  
  

Summary of Assignments for 5315:

• Action Research Outline: Helped shape the foundation of my literature review based on my research question.

• Literature Review: A detailed exploration supported by scholarly sources that addressed how iPad integration affects academic development in preschool-aged children.

• Measurement Strategy: A plan to assess the effectiveness of my innovation plan and determine measurable outcomes.

  
  

In conclusion, the changes I made to my time and workload management had a significant impact. They helped reduce stress and made the overall experience more enjoyable and productive. I feel proud of the progress I’ve made and remain committed to growing and improving as I move forward in this program.