A Journey Comes to an End Jessica Speaks EDUC 526 Capstone Experience in Digital Teaching and Learning Professor: Dr.

Joanne Gilbreath APU Azusa Date: March 3, 2014

Jessica Speaks APU Azusa

Growth Assessment EDUC 526

Page 1 Spring 1 2014

SECTION ONE: Introduction During my two years at Azusa Pacific University I was able to take part in the graduate credential and masters program where I have gained an immense amount of knowledge on becoming a great teacher. I began my teaching journey at Mt. San Antonio Community College where I earned two Associates degrees, one in the Behavioral Sciences and the second in Math and Science. I continued to complete my bachelors degree at Cal Poly Pomona where I would earn my degree in Gender Ethnic Multicultural Studies. This was a great option compared to the Liberal Studies program because I was able to work in a more concentrated area concerning the different cultures and genders in our society. I knew from a very young age I wanted to be a teacher. I can remember playing school with my younger cousins, and I of course was always the teacher. I loved the idea of being in front of a group of students and being able to teach them. My academic journey would eventually lead me to APU to complete my credential. I really dont think I realized what I was in store for. All of these years I dreamed about being a teacher but until you are in the program I didnt quite grasp the idea of how much work and dedication it would take to complete the program. I am over the moon I was able to find my way to APU. When looking into to programs I had my heart set on going to Claremont Graduate University, I had been familiar with the area and loved the environment. When I got accepted to the University and was given all of the information for their program I became very discouraged and knew in my heart it wasnt right for me. I had been working full time from a very young age and the program required its students to quit their jobs during the entire program, which I could not afford to do. I was working at a restaurant as a server for three years when I happened to take To Go order, which wasnt in my job description and I rarely ever did. I came across two lovely ladies who for some reason could tell I had a great deal on my mind. I explained I had just found out I wouldnt be able to attend the University I got accepted to and I was heart broken and lost, I explained I needed to get my credential to pursue my dream of teaching. They were so sympathetic and Jessica Speaks APU Azusa Growth Assessment EDUC 526 Page 2 Spring 1 2014

mentioned I should check into Azusa Pacific Universitys program because they had a family member that was completing her credential and was able to work full time at the same time. Long story short I explored what APU had to offer and it was a perfect fit. I can honestly say I feel like it was by the grace of God I met these two women. This was the path I was supposed to take and I couldnt have been any happier that my journey had led me to this University. I worked at the restaurant throughout the credential program and then when I began my masters I began working as an Extended Instruction teacher in the district I student taught in and am still currently working in the district. I work with grades 1-4 in one hour increments with groups of 8-10 students, with a heavy focus on reading and writing. I have been blessed throughout my journey through the credential and masters program. I know He had a plan for me. My goals for pursuing the Digital Teaching and Learning Master was to become familiar with the most effective ways to implement technology in my own classroom. I must say I have learned a great deal during my journey in the program. Personal Growth In the program I have continued to learn so much about myself as a student and a teacher. Throughout my many years as a student I have continued to hold on to the same learning style but through my course I have been able to label myself as an Intrapersonal and Logical learner. I work well when I am able to manage my own projects and assignments and tend to do better when I only have to rely on myself. Group projects has never been a favorite learning style as I like to constantly be in control of what I am doing as far as work. I dont like the feeling of having to rely on anyone but myself and worrying about if parts of a project or assignment is going to get done. As far as study habits go even through all these years of schooling I have not been able to master the most effective way to study but if I had to choose I would say I am able to understand information when I can study alone in a quiet place. I have always been the type of student that works well under pressure, even though for a lack of better words, I tend to panic at first, but I always know everything will get done. I like to work ahead on assignment and give myself time to Jessica Speaks APU Azusa Growth Assessment EDUC 526 Page 3 Spring 1 2014

self reflect on projects and assignments. I am a night person, so it has been difficult for me to program my body to a schedule of going to bed early and waking up in the morning for work. I work best late at night and am very productive during the very late hours of the night. Since I am in a classroom now it has been a very different experience to try and manage my time wisely to ultimately stay healthy. This program has turned out to be so much more than just a way to meet my end goal of becoming a teacher. I have met some great women and professors that I feel will be lifetime connections. Thats what is so great with this program, if you stay on track you are able to stay with the same group of cohorts, which has created some great new friendships and resources. Spiritually I think I have honestly become a more disciplined and outgoing person. I have become so much more connected to my family and a select few friends who have hung by me throughout these tough two years. It has really allowed me to distinguish between the people I want to keep myself surrounded with. During the program I even became engaged to my best friend and boyfriend of five years. The completion of this degree mean so much more to me than just knowing I was able to finish and start my career. I am the first in the family to complete college and go on to complete my masters degree. I want nothing more than to make my mom proud, who has been the biggest inspiration to be in my 26 years on this earth. Professional Growth Throughout my journey at APU its hard to explain all the beneficial information and strategies I have learned. I know now the right ways to implement technology in the classroom to ensure all my students are able to learn to the best of their abilities. I have learned ways to include technology that aligned with Common Core standards and have really become aware of the importance and influence technology has on our students. In the masters program I have come across so many great apps and web tools that take the average classroom to a completely different level. I definitely think my educational visions have changed and progressed from the beginning of this program until now. I so badly wanted to finish and get myself into a classroom but this program has really allowed me to Jessica Speaks APU Azusa Growth Assessment EDUC 526 Page 4 Spring 1 2014

take a step back and understand everything that really goes into being an exceptional teacher, technology being a part of my growth. Being able to know the right ways to implement technology into the classroom has been one of the biggest eye openers. As I mentioned before a new responsibility I have found myself to have is actually having my own classroom. I have learned a great deal working with my students and have become aware of the accountability teachers have to have when teaching their own students. This is my first year in the classroom and was employed just as I entered the masters program. I definitely understand now you dont truly know what being a teacher means until you have your own students and the responsibility that goes into teaching these young minds. I have no technology in my classroom right now, so at times it has been frustrating taking these amazing technology courses and feeling like I have no ways to implement what I am learning. I am taking small steps and doing what I can to incorporate even small amounts of technology in my classes. I have downloaded apps on my phone I am able to use to randomly call on my students and have even brought in my iPad and laptop to show them videos on the content we are going over. Even the small amounts of technology I have tried to incorporate the students love and respond well to. I decided to complete my Action Research Project by focusing on one of my students in the class. He is a forth grade student with severe ADD and behavior problems. Before and after class this student so sweet and always wants to help around the classroom, but the moment instruction begins its a constant struggle to keep him on task. I have decided to try and put into action some strategies to intent to keep him on task. Since the beginning of the year I have tried to implement different strategies that seem to work for a few weeks and then he eventually get bored and the behavior begins to decline. With this project my hope is to set a plan that work for the rest of the school year to keep him focused and ready to learn without the distractions he has struggled with thus far in the year.

Jessica Speaks APU Azusa

Growth Assessment EDUC 526

Page 5 Spring 1 2014

Technical Growth When I began the program I dont think I fully grasped how little I knew about technology. I am a couple years older then my digital natives and would consider myself an immigrant. My own early education had limited technology until I entered High School, which I think was just when technology began to immerge as educational tool in the classrooms. Since those early years I felt I was pretty technology savvy but then I entered my first masters course and realized I had so much to learn. Even though I was familiar with technology this program has really opened up my eyes to all the different ways technology can be effectively implemented in the classroom. My first term in the program I was enrolled in EDUC 514 where I really was able to learn the fundamentals of putting together a professional looking video with simply using my iPad and also the ways to navigate around iMovie. I was unfamiliar with using the iMovie software and this class really just gave us that step-by-step instruction of how to use and edit videos using this application. I have become aware of all the different ways we can implement out own videos into our own classroom. I love the idea of creating a short debriefing of the school day so parents and students can go back and remember or understand what when on during class. This also allows the parents to view up to date information on what is going on in their childrens classrooms. This class also introduced the Animoto app, which I have chosen to feature in my Unit. I love this app and continue to think of different ways I could implement this presentation tool in the classroom to create professional looking slide ware videos. In the EDUC 512 class I was introduced to how easy and fun blogging is as well as creating your own website. We learned how to navigate through Weebly to create our own class website which I have continued to use in and outside of the program. The classes have allowed us to explore all the benefits of Google docs which I also had no knowledge about. I feel like the list and benefits of this program go on and on. There are so many technology tools that I have now become familiar with that I would have never known about if I hadnt opted to continue with this Masters program. The Digital Teaching program Jessica Speaks APU Azusa Growth Assessment EDUC 526 Page 6 Spring 1 2014

continues to keep me excited on all the different technology tools I will be able to implement when I have a regular education classroom. Life Long Learning Plan This long journey that is quickly coming to an end has prepared me to become the best teacher I can be while implementing technology and using it as a tool to benefit the needs of all of my students. Since technology is continuously changing I pan to make sure I keep up with all the latest innovations and continue to educate myself on all the different way technology can effectively be implanted in my classroom. After the program I want to make sure I keep up with all the information we learned because I know when you dont use tool or technology for long periods of times we tend to have to learn the process all over again. I want to make sure I dont lose all the priceless information I was exposed to in the program. As a teacher I know I am a life long learner and will never be done learning and becoming knowledgeable about emerging technologies and all the different ways I can make my classroom a productive learning environment. My plans for keeping up with all the new developments of technology is just making sure I keep my eyes and ears open to all the resources I have obtained throughout the program. I have created a professional account on twitter and have begun following my professors and well as technology based members that post new technologies everyday. I have become aware as member of the program we are able to come back anytime and complete new or even repeat the same classes in the program to get the most up to date information, which I see myself doing in the future as technology continued to change. In five to ten years, I see myself with a family and a full time job in either 2nd or 3rd grade, practicing all the technologies I have been exposed to throughout this program. I cannot wait to have my own regular education classroom filled with young mind and exposing them to all educational technology has to offer.

Jessica Speaks APU Azusa

Growth Assessment EDUC 526

Page 7 Spring 1 2014

SECTION TWO: History of Coursework and Course Evaluation

Course EDUC 511 Course Title & Instructor Name Foundations in Education Technology and Learning INSTRUCTOR: Doyle Potter Instructional Applications Productivity Software INSTRUCTOR: Mark Rounds EDUC 513 Digital Age Literacies INSTRUCTOR: Linda Muhlhauser Spring 1 2014 Fluency 21 Sophia LiveBinder Canvas Term Completed Summer 2013 Key Skills Acquired LiveBinder Class Advisement Wordle Comments/Suggestions This class was a great introduction class to what to expect in the program. The exposure to LiveBinder definitely came in handy for future classes. This class was so much fun. Mark Round was an awesome instructor and was very knowledgeable on the content. This class introduced us to Weebly, which is now one of my favorite web tools. This class also gave us some great input on all the amazing educational apps that are out there for us. This class gave us some great ways to implement a flipped classroom. I had never heard of a flipped classroom until this course, which was very informational. We were also able to create lesson based on different amounts of devices which was very interesting. The online option for this course can be a bit overwhelming and moves very quickly which can get confusing. This class was great. In this class we were able to learn how to navigate and create professional movies using the iMovie app. Bill gave us a simple run down on how to edit videos and how to make them look professional. This class made me look at the composition of pictures and videos differently. I learned a great deal from this course. This class introduced us to blogging which I was a bit unsure about before the course. I have come to realize there are so many great things you can do with blogging with your own students. The audio and video podcasts were

EDUC 512

Fall 1 2013

Google Drive Weebly Google+ WebQuest Apps/iPad

EDUC 514

Digital Video in the Classroom INSTRUCTOR: Bill Selak

Fall 1 2013

iMovie Digital Video YouTube Lighting and Sound Picture Composition Copyrights

EDUC 515

Evolving Educational Technologies INSTRUCTOR: Jeffery Lee

Fall 2 2013

Classroom Website Blogger Case Study Video Podcasts Audio Podcasts

Jessica Speaks APU Azusa

Growth Assessment EDUC 526

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EDUC 522

Learning in the 21st Century INSTRUCTOR: Jennifer Courduff

Fall 2 2013

Multiple Intelligences Blooms Taxonomy

EDUC 526

Capstone Experience/ Digital Teaching and Learning INSTRUCTOR: Joanne Gilbreath

Spring 1 2014

Action Research Growth Assessment Curricular Portfolio

a great addition to the class and got us working with different web tools to create these assignments. The online option for this class was great. Dr. Lee was very helpful throughout and really knew the content. This class was very involved and technical in the areas of Blooms Taxonomy and the Multiple Intelligences. This class was very intense but coming out of it I learned so much about the different MIs. The information we covered about the intelligences made me look at my own students in a different light and even allowed me to understand where they were coming from. This class was great! This class in my opinion seems a lot like closure to our journey in the program. We are now fine tuning our Units and creating a portfolio of all our work, which I think is awesome because I will always be able to refer back to one place where all my hard work is placed.

Evaluation of the impact of the Digital Teaching and Learning Program There are many technology tools I plan to implement in my own classroom but if I had to choose one it would be creating a classroom website using Weebly. So many teachers could benefit from a classroom website and this tool allows you to make a professional looking site for free. I love the idea of have the class information, expectations, daily activities, assignments, and any other information only a click away. I think this is so beneficial for the students to go back and reflect on what they learned during the day and also a place where they can keep up with any assignments that are due. Its also a place where a teacher could post his or her own videos explaining a concept that could be reviewed at the touch of a button. A classroom website also allows the parents to feel involved in what their students are doing in the classroom and keep up with anything their students may be struggling with. Its a great place to keep the line of communication open with the parents, Jessica Speaks APU Azusa Growth Assessment EDUC 526 Page 9 Spring 1 2014

which is so important to the students. This is just one of many technology tools I am super excited to implement in my own classroom. Program Evaluation My journey through the Digital Teaching and Learning Masters program has been a roller coaster of emotions. I have learned so much during my time in the program and have really learned so many valuable things in each course. During the program I have found myself stressed and overwhelmed at times, even though I know I always get everything done in ample time. Once each course would get going the nerves would calm and I could focus on all the content and amazing tools I was being introduced to. I am coming away from this program with so much knowledge on the different ways to implement technology in to the classroom. The professors in this program are all amazing and willing to help you at all hours of the day. Throughout the program I really felt supported and always had that mentality that they would not let me fail. The only weakness I could come up with was in a couple of the classes, the first few weeks when frontloading all the information and projects that were going to be to became very overwhelming. I am the type of student when I hear about all the projects I want to get ahead and get them done, but some were so involved I felt like I could get ahead, which with my learning style became frustrating at times. This program made me step out of my comfort zone and really just take everything that was going on in class one week at a time, which I am not use to. I appreciated the classes that gave use the detailed information of what was due one assignment at a time as they were coming near due. This seemed to work better for me in the long run then being given all the information in one sitting and feeling lost at the end of class. Overall my experience at APU was amazing and I couldnt have asked for a better group of professors and classmates. I think this program is so beneficial to up and coming teachers because it gave us to many great ways to include technology into the classroom as well and resources. I have enjoyed my time at APU and am so happy my journey led my into the Digital Teaching and Learning Masters Program. Jessica Speaks APU Azusa Growth Assessment EDUC 526 Page 10 Spring 1 2014

Unit Level Dispositions Azusa Pacific University School of Education has articulated the following as our unit disposition in keeping with our unit conceptual Framework of Ethical, Responsive and Informed Practitioners. Our candidates reflect National Council on the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) definition of dispositions. The instrument below reflects the agreed upon indicators of the dispositions of Ethical, Responsive and Informed Practitioners who operate on the foundational basis of fairness and the belief that all people can learn.
Instrument
Directions: Please complete the Candidate Dispositions Rubric, aligned to ethical, responsive, and informed educator dispositions, as evidenced in your graduate work. Candidate Dispositions 1 2 3 4 N/A NCATE defines dispositions as professional attitudes, values and beliefs demonstrated through Not Sometim Usually Always Cannot both verbal and non-verbal behaviors as educators Displaye es Displaye Displaye Assess interact with students, families, colleagues and d/ Displayed d/ d/ communities. These positive behaviors support Not / Acceptab Target student learning and development. The two Acceptab Approach le professional dispositions that NCATE expects le es institutions to assess are fairness and the belief that Acceptabl all students can learn. (NCATE 2008) e Ethical educators who are able to understand and articulate the integration of a Christian worldview in their professional communities of practice display: Personal integrity Collaborative, cooperative and respectful behaviors Fairness in educational settings by meeting the educational needs of all students in a caring, nondiscriminatory and equitable manner Sensitivity to cultural and individual differences Personal and professional maturity Personal integrity X X X X X X

Comments regarding your strengths/areas for improvement (Ethical): I feel like I am a very collaborative and respectful person, as well as very sensitively to cultural and individual needs of people. I feel like I am overall a very ethical educator and am able to understand the views of everyone that surrounds me. Responsive educators who practice reflective critical thinking in their engagements with diverse communities of learners display: Responsiveness to the expectations and standards of the professional community Responsiveness to conditions that promote learning, health and personal safety in the P-12 school and community Effective communication within the educational community Commitment to fair academic practices that ensure all students can learn Responsiveness to the impact of discrimination based on race, class, gender, disability/exceptionality, sexual orientation and language on students and their learning X X X X

Jessica Speaks APU Azusa

Growth Assessment EDUC 526

Page 11 Spring 1 2014

Effective time management Appearance and dressing appropriate for ones professional setting

X X

Comments regarding your strengths/areas for improvement (Responsive): I think I am a very responsive educator and understand the importance of critical thinking when working with all different communities of people. Informed and collaborative scholarly educators who are dedicated to professional growth and lifelong learning display: Commitment to adapting and applying the best research-based ideas to improve clinical practice Understanding of current and emerging trends in their field of practice Knowledge of standards and expectations of their discipline through relevant activities and projects in the program Ability to apply and communicate current research effectively in coursework Ability to synthesize and apply course content, projects, clinical practice and professional work X X X X X

Comments regarding candidate strengths/areas for improvement (Informed): I believe I am well informed on the most effective ways to implement content that aligns to the standards and expectations in the classroom. I consider myself to be extremely collaborative and love working with other and collecting ideas and resources from my peers. Summative Score for Candidate Dispositions: 0 0 0 18

Additional Comments: Throughout my time in the Credential and Digital Teaching and Learning program I have gained so much knowledge in the areas of becoming a great teachers and ways in which to implement evolving technologies effectively into my own classroom. I think these programs have given me the proper skills to become an effective educator.

Jessica Speaks APU Azusa

Growth Assessment EDUC 526

Page 12 Spring 1 2014