Applied Digital Learning Journey Synthesis

Reflections on My ADL Experience

​

Hello. My name is Angelica Padron, and I am proud to call Mexico home. As a teacher and mother, I am passionate about education and personal growth. You can learn more about my journey in the "About Me" section. Society thrives when we prioritize education, strong values, and meaningful connections. While technology offers incredible opportunities, it is essential to develop the knowledge and skills needed to use it effectively for success.

​

As an educator, I aim to empower students by giving them Choice, Ownership, and a Voice in meaningful learning experiences (COVA). This passion drove me to explore digital learning, seeking innovative ways to enhance student engagement and autonomy. Throughout my master's program, I encountered challenges that ultimately became growth opportunities, pushing me to adapt, refine my skills, and expand my perspective. The support and collaboration of my Learning Community were instrumental in shaping this journey, making it a truly enriching and transformative experience.

​

At first, the workload felt overwhelming, but I soon developed practical time management skills and learned to prioritize my responsibilities. This journey has been crucial to my professional growth, equipping me with the tools and confidence to lead meaningful change in educational environments.

​

My journey started with a Disruptive Innovation Plan to integrate blended learning into mathematics education within my school community. Recognizing the need for a more dynamic and engaging approach, I carefully developed a proposal, created a persuasive video, outlined an implementation strategy, and conducted an in-depth literature review. Through this process, I have gained confidence in the impact of this initiative. Already, I have seen a noticeable improvement in student engagement and comprehension, reinforcing my belief that this approach has the potential to transform mathematics education in our school.

​

I struggled at first with unfamiliar digital tools like WIX when developing my e-portfolio. The platform's intricacy initially seemed intimidating, but I was determined to grasp it. Through research, online lessons, and peer assistance, I gradually gained confidence in navigating and using its capabilities. This technique improved my digital literacy and reinforced my capacity to adapt to new technologies—an essential skill in today's ever-changing educational scene.

​

Exploring Educational Technology Concepts has shown me the value of cultivating a growth mindset for my students and myself. Developing a growth mindset plan and a learning manifesto allowed me to reflect on my beliefs, embrace challenges, and turn weaknesses into opportunities for improvement. Building learning networks has also been a powerful reminder that I am not navigating this journey alone; I have a supportive community and digital tools that help bring my ideas to life.

​

Throughout my education, Leading Organization Change has shaped my perspective. Studying theories like Sinek’s Golden Circle helped me define my why and establish clear goals for my educational initiatives. The Four Disciplines of Execution provided a structured approach to achieving these objectives. At the same time, insights on self-differentiation and leadership enhanced my ability to navigate challenging discussions and manage emotions effectively.

​

Creating a Significant Learning Environment involves aligning objectives with assessments and activities to prioritize student understanding. By incorporating frameworks like UbD, I aimed to design structured and engaging learning experiences that foster a growth mindset. Likewise, Professional Learning underscores the importance of ongoing development, equipping educators with practical strategies and essential principles to enhance their teaching practices and advance in their careers.

​

Assessing Digital Learning Instruction introduced me to Action Research, a structured approach to continuously enhancing teaching practices. This method empowers educators to refine digital learning environments through planning, implementation, observation, and reflection. The Resources for Digital Environments course also equipped me with the skills to write and publish insightful articles, enabling me to share my professional expertise with a broader audience.

​

The Instructional Design for Online Learning course focused on developing effective and engaging online courses aligned with modern e-learning trends. I acquired the essential skills to create dynamic and impactful digital learning experiences by exploring research methodologies, instructional design principles, and best practices.

​

The Synthesis Digital Learning Leader Capstone course bridges theory and practice, equipping educators to become effective change agents. By integrating knowledge from previous coursework and applying it to real-world situations, I have strengthened my ability to drive organizational change and make a meaningful impact on educational communities.

​

My journey through this master’s program has been an incredible experience of growth, learning, and transformation. It has equipped me with the knowledge and skills to innovate in education, lead change, and create meaningful learning experiences. While this chapter is ending, my commitment to lifelong learning continues. If you'd like to connect or collaborate, feel free to reach out—I’d love to share ideas and continue making a difference in education together!