Contribution to Your Learning and the Learning Community
Throughout this course, I feel like I’ve grown not only as a learner but as a leader. I’ve developed a much deeper understanding of how to implement change through frameworks like 4DX, the Influencer Model, and differentiated leadership. What worked well for me was staying ahead on the readings and videos and applying that learning directly into my weekly discussions and assignments. I think this helped me make more meaningful connections between the theory and what’s actually happening in my teaching environment.
One of the strongest parts of this class for me was being able to reflect on the kind of leader I want to be. The work on Crucial Conversations and self-differentiated leadership really stuck with me, especially because I deal with a lot of resistance and stress when pushing new ideas in my school. Learning how to stay grounded, be direct without being reactive, and communicate clearly will stick with me well beyond this course. I’ve already used the STATE framework in meetings, and it really made a difference.
While there wasn’t an assigned base group in this class, I did connect often with a few peers from my other ADL course. We had a GroupMe chat where we checked in on assignments, swapped feedback, and even talked about the videos and concepts from this class. I think that helped me reflect in a more natural way, and it pushed my thinking further. These side conversations often helped me see how others were applying the material in different settings. Even though it wasn’t formal, that collaboration was really valuable.
There are a few things I could do better next time. I waited until the last minute on a couple of assignments, which made those weeks more stressful than they needed to be. I also think I could contribute more often to classmates’ posts, especially early in the week, so we’d have more time to respond to each other. Even though I engaged in all the discussions, I know that posting earlier could create more space for back-and-forth dialogue.
I revised every assignment in this class after getting feedback or finding ways to improve. I also kept a consistent theme throughout all of my posts and assignments by focusing on my innovation plan, School Sphere. That gave me a foundation to build on with each module. I also tried to reflect in each submission—not just what I did, but how it helped me grow.
I completed all required readings, videos, and supporting resources. I followed all assignment instructions carefully and used APA formatting for all citations. My ePortfolio was updated throughout the course, and I made sure the layout and links were clear and functional.
Because I met all of the key contributions and participated in every discussion with thoughtful, cited responses, I’m giving myself a score of 95 for this course. I’ve grown significantly as a learner and as a leader, and I’m proud of the work I’ve done here.
References
Fink, L. D. (2013). Creating significant learning experiences: An integrated approach to designing college courses. Jossey-Bass.