Am I ready?

This module focused on bringing together all the learning that we have accomplished so far. This is a culminating activity that brings together the learning from each module. The module that seemed to need the most attention in the syllabus from my point of view was accessibility. The last time I was in the classroom was in 2016-2017 as a 4th grade teacher at Tolson Elementary in Tucson Unified School District and designed my syllabus to reflect this.

When I was on social media, there were many groups that I belonged to for support for Canvas and Google Classroom. I did this to keep a pulse of what colleagues might be saying. One user freely shared her template that I added my own links to. I cannot give her credit, but she designed the background space, the rug and added the bookcases. I learned the process for doing it but hers was a more presentable model than mine.

Then, I designed my bitmoji classroom as a way to link all the resources that I thought might be useful for a 4th grade class. At first, it was pretty and had lots of clipart. I removed them when I realized that the alt text would have gotten in the way of accessibility and streamlined it to be student friendly. As I do not work in an elementary school currently, I put in free resources but when I was a principal, we used other software programs like Lexia, I-ready and S.T. Math.

In my current position as the Director of Assessment and Accountability, this course has had minimal impact. This is not a reflection of the course, but more of my position being focused on programmatic funding. I have limited interactions with staff that directly impact teaching. However, this has given me a broader perspective on how to explain initiatives for the LCAP and other grant reports so that we can fund these Web 2.0 tools.

New and updated reflections based on the modules

Module 1 - I was able to think deeply about how online and blended learning are similar and different. I was an online course facilitator and so I was familiar with it. I was beginning to develop my skills in the Blended Learning environment to explore the Web 2.0 tools.

Module 2 - This module on accessibility is a critical one for all teachers, but especially in the digital environment. While I understand how and why to do it, the facilitator had to give me reminders when I forgot to do it. So, this tells me that I need more practice and intentionality in ensuring that it happens consistently.

Module 3 - Community was a focus for this area. Being authentic and myself to create relationships with people will support learners to be available to learn.

Module 4 - This module now has me questioning about screen time. I have colleagues telling me that parents are concerned about screen time for their kids, but Common Sense Media was not focused on learning in this manner so I wonder how much is too much. I was accustomed to working on the computer, but when the pandemic hit, my video conferencing stamina needed to be built. I think this is the same for students. However, I can tell that when I have had back to back video calls, I am tired. This leads me back to think, how much screen time is too much?

Module 5 - While I believe that collaboration is important, especially when working with students who are Emerging Multilinguals, the Design Thinking project was not effective for me. I appreciated that I was able to complete my part and not be penalized by others not completing their parts in a timely manner.

Module 6 - I am very comfortable with assessments. I may have labeled this as checks for understanding. What I was missing was how to complete some in-class assessments like the DRA or DIBELS in a virtual environment. These are assessments that I am used to doing one-on-one with students. So this leads me to wonder, how we might do this online.

Module 7 - Am I ready? I definitely think I am. While writing the syllabus was new for me and did not enjoy the task, I am proud of how it ended up. When I return to a classroom teaching position, it is something that I will use, like my bitmoji class.

I started with this affirmation and I end with it.

Affirmations for Distance Learning - The best I can do is my best. How human of me to feel nervous about trying something new. I will give myself the same grace I give others. I may not be able to control this situation but I have control over my attitude. This is only temporary. I can do difficult things. I don't have to have it all figured out to move forward. I make mistakes and that is okay.