Contribution to Your Learning and the Learning Community

Class 5302: Concepts of Educational Technology

Class 5304: Leading Organization Change

Members in 5302: Kelsie Adams, Emily Matheny, Coraliz Mollitor

Members in 5304: Leah Griggs, Khelia Olison Williams

Score: 90

What Is Working?

Platform Choice for Communication

Communicating through a group chat proved to be an effective method for collaboration. We utilized GroupMe as our platform for discussion, where we addressed a wide range of topics. These included clarifications on assignments, feedback on previous courses, planning for future courses, and inquiries related to financial aid, among other matters. This platform allowed for timely exchanges and provided a space for resolving any uncertainties efficiently.

Work-Life Balance

Balancing work, parenting, and academic responsibilities as a single mother of three young children presents significant challenges throughout the week. Due to the demands of preparing my children for bath time, bedtime, and ensuring I am also ready for the next day, I often struggle to find sufficient time for my assignments. However, by dedicating my Fridays through Sundays to completing my coursework, I am able to work more efficiently. This approach allows me to focus on my assignments after my children have gone to sleep or while they are entertained with movies or other activities. This schedule has proven to be effective, enabling me to meet deadlines while maintaining a balance between my personal and professional responsibilities.

What can you do better?

Improve connection with classmates

While our communication within the group chat has been effective, I feel that there was a lack of personal connection between both groups. The structure of this class differs from a previous course I took, where communication was more intimate and focused within our group. In this class, although we use the group to communicate, the discussions are open to everyone, not just our group members.

In contrast, in the previous course, we were required to interact solely with our group, which fostered more frequent and meaningful communication. For example, we would write out responses on a shared document and provide feedback within that document, which allowed us to maintain an ongoing conversation. This back-and-forth exchange created an opportunity for us to get comfortable with one another and build a stronger connection.

I also had the chance to meet Kelsie and Leah in that previous course, and our communication was more consistent and frequent than our other group members, as we had already established a connection. In this current class, however, the discussion format feels more structured and limited—responding to two members and then concluding the conversation—leaving little room for further dialogue or relationship-building. Even though we had other members, it was hard creating a relationship. One thing I wish could’ve been better is the communication between all of us.

Contribution

As previously mentioned, we contributed to the group by addressing any questions we had regarding various topics. For certain assignments, when we needed inspiration, we often shared our e-portfolios with one another. This allowed us to provide feedback on what worked well, what might need improvement, and how to enhance our portfolios overall.

We also supported each other in navigating the use of Wix, a platform many of us used to create our e-portfolios. Wix has its own set of tricks and features, and we frequently exchanged tips on how to effectively use the website, such as including images and utilizing embedded code. I must admit, I had no prior understanding of embedded code, but through communication with my classmates, I was able to learn more about it. I am truly grateful for all the support and guidance they provided throughout the process.

Additionally, we discussed our experiences with Canva. While everyone I've communicated with, both within and outside of the group, shared a similar sense of confusion about Canva, we all acknowledged that it is a powerful tool. Fortunately, within the groups I’m part of, there were classmates who were more experienced with Canva and generously shared their tips and tricks on how to create images and incorporate them into our e-portfolios. I also learned that Canva offers a course through Canva Learning, which teaches users how to navigate the platform. Upon completion, participants receive a certificate. I believe this certificate would be an asset to have, as it could open up various opportunities and demonstrate proficiency in using Canva effectively.

Reflection

Reflecting on my experiences across both courses, I recognize how the collaborations within my group significantly impacted my ability to connect ideas and deepen my understanding of the course material. Through our shared efforts, we were able to enhance our individual e-portfolios and develop a greater mastery of various digital tools, such as Wix and Canva, while also learning how to apply the concepts from both courses in practical, real-world contexts. Our collaboration began by addressing questions related to different topics, creating a foundation for open communication and idea-sharing. We provided all provided feedback, which is crucial because by receiving constructive feedback and providing input to my peers, I was able to better understand how the ideas from both courses could be woven together into a cohesive, professional presentation.