Introduction

When I started this course, I thought I would mainly be learning how to add more digital tools to my teaching practice. What actually happened was much more meaningful. Over these eight weeks, my perspective shifted from “technology as an add-on” to “technology as a catalyst for deeper learning.” I began to understand what thought leaders like Dewey, Bruner, Vygotsky, Papert, and Piaget have emphasized for years: learning is active, social, and deeply connected to past experiences. Adding in contemporary voices like Roger Schank challenged me to think about how cognitive science can reshape not just how I teach, but how students truly learn.

Looking back, this course didn’t just give me new strategies, it helped me find my own voice as an educator who wants to keep the focus on the learning first.

Evaluation of Successes

One of my successes was designing online lessons where technology blended seamlessly into the background. Instead of students focusing on the platform, they focused on the content and the process of problem-solving. Using modeling and prediction, I saw how students were able to make authentic connections and engage with the lesson in ways that felt natural.

Another success was the collaboration with my base group. Their feedback pushed me to clarify my thinking and refine my writing. It reminded me that my strength is in organizing and initiating ideas, but also that real growth happens when I pause to listen and allow others to shape my perspective.

Areas of Growth

I know I still have room to grow in evaluation and reflection. While I’m good at planning and carrying out lessons or projects, I sometimes move on too quickly without fully pausing to analyze what worked, what didn’t, and why. Moving forward, I want to be more intentional about building reflection into my process, both for myself and for my students. This will help me strengthen my practice and ensure that learning outcomes are meaningful and lasting.

Reflection on Assignments

• Publication Outline
  Starting with the outline helped me gather and organize my thoughts. It gave me a foundation for making the argument that technology should never be the star of the show—learning should always come first.
• Publication Rough Draft
  In my rough draft, I took my first step in blending theory and practice. I connected Schank’s ideas about cognitive processes with my classroom experiences, especially planning and diagnosis. This was the first time I began to see myself as a thought leader, not just a teacher.
• Media Project
  Working with my group on Rewired Education was one of the highlights of the course. It reminded me how creative collaboration can be when everyone brings their own expertise and perspective. It also gave me practice in using media to share ideas in a way that can reach a wider audience.
• Publication Final Draft
  The final draft was about refining and finding my voice. Through feedback and revisions, I was able to make my argument clearer and stronger. This assignment tied everything together and helped me feel ready to share my perspective beyond the classroom.

Reflection on Collaboration

I had the privilege of working with Curtis Lee, Tasha Brown, Mike Mills, and Tumeshia Hassel. Each of them brought unique strengths, and I learned so much from hearing their perspectives. I discovered that I thrive in spaces where I can both share and receive ideas. If I could change one thing, it would be to set aside more structured time for feedback, so that we could have gone even deeper into each other’s work.

Evidence of collaboration

Conclusion

This course has been more than just another step toward my degree, it’s been a turning point in how I view technology, learning, and my role as an instructional leader. My biggest takeaway is simple but powerful: technology should be invisible when it’s working well, and the learning should always shine through.

I’m leaving this course with a clearer vision, stronger connections with my peers, and a renewed commitment to creating learning experiences where students don’t just use technology, but grow through it.