Nadia Flores
As a student in EDLD 5404: Leading Organizational Change, I have grown significantly as a self-directed learner and a collaborator within my learning community. This reflection highlights my contributions to my own learning, the collaborative efforts of my group, and areas for future growth. For my self-assessment, I assign myself a score of 90, based on my active engagement, consistent collaboration, and dedication to revising and improving my work.
One of the strengths I brought to this course was my ability to engage actively with my group members, Khelia Williams and Ennija Armour, using tools like Zoom and GroupMe to stay connected. Our regular discussions enabled us to share ideas, offer feedback, and clarify challenging concepts. For instance, during our Zoom meetings, Khelia shared her expertise on organizational change strategies, which helped me refine my understanding of the course material. Ennija provided valuable insights into implementing leadership theories, which I incorporated into my assignments. These women were more than just group members; they were a source of empowerment. When I faced challenges in the middle of the course, such as juggling responsibilities while applying for and eventually securing a teaching position, they motivated me to persevere. Their encouragement reminded me of my capabilities and gave me the strength to continue pushing forward. Their support demonstrated the importance of a collaborative community in achieving both academic and personal goals. I also ensured that I stayed on top of the course calendar, completing all readings, videos, and supporting resources. These activities deepened my understanding and allowed me to contribute meaningfully to group discussions. My postings in the discussion forums reflected breadth and depth of thinking, supported by research and proper APA citations.
Contributions to the Learning Community
Collaboration was a cornerstone of my learning experience in EDLD 5404. I consistently provided constructive feedback to my group members, helping them refine their work while improving my own understanding of the material. For example, I reviewed Khelia’s draft of her innovation plan and suggested ways to align it more closely with the 4DX framework. Similarly, Ennija offered me feedback on my reflection assignments, helping me address gaps and enhance clarity. Leadership within our group also played a vital role. I took the initiative to coordinate meeting times, ensuring we could collaborate effectively despite our busy schedules. Additionally, I contributed to the forums by posting thoughtful responses and posing questions to spark further discussion. While I actively participated in required activities, I also made additional posts to clarify concepts and support classmates beyond my core group.
While I am pleased with my contributions, I recognize areas for improvement. One challenge I faced was balancing multiple responsibilities, which occasionally made it difficult to contribute additional posts beyond the minimum requirements. In the future, I aim to manage my time more effectively so I can engage more fully in supplementary activities. Additionally, I could improve the breadth of my research by exploring more diverse perspectives and resources. While my posts were well-supported by the course material, incorporating a wider range of sources would enrich the discussions and provide even greater value to my learning community.
A key aspect of my growth was revising my assignments based on feedback from peers and the instructor. For example, after receiving feedback on my “Influencer Strategy” I revisited my initial draft, refined the goals, and aligned the action steps more closely with the course framework. Reflecting on these revisions allowed me to identify patterns in my thinking and approach, which I can apply to future coursework.
I assigned myself a score of 90, as I met all the key contributions and demonstrated strong engagement in the course. While I occasionally struggled to contribute beyond the minimum requirements in some areas, my overall performance reflects a high level of commitment to my learning and the learning community. Specific reasons for my score include:
Consistent participation in group meetings and forums.
Timely completion of all readings, videos, and assignments.
Active feedback and leadership within my group.
Thoughtful revisions to my work, reflecting a commitment to growth.
The collaborative nature of EDLD 5404 provided a rich environment for growth and learning. Working with Khelia Williams and Ennija Armour was instrumental in shaping my understanding of organizational change, and their support during a pivotal moment in my personal life meant the world to me. Their encouragement when I felt like giving up reinforced my determination to succeed, and our collective efforts enhanced the learning experience for all of us. This course reinforced the importance of self-directed learning, collaboration, and reflection, skills I will carry forward as I continue to grow as a leader and educator. By contributing to the learning community and assessing my performance, I have taken another step toward becoming a lifelong learner who actively seeks opportunities for growth and improvement.