Running head: GROWTH ASSESSMENT 1

Growth Assessment

Kathy Mercado

Azusa Pacific University

EDUC 526
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Abstract
This paper will look at my growth in different areas that took place during my time at Azusa

Pacific University (APU). This will encompass my time through APU and the Master of Arts in

Education: Learning and Technology (LRNT). Included in this paper will be sections that cover

my course history, personal growth, professional growth, and technical growth.

Keywords: personal growth, professional growth, technical growth

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History of Coursework
Table 1
History of Coursework
Course Term Professor Reflection
EDUC 511 Spring 2017 Silver My first master class built my understanding
of technology operations and concepts that
are going to be used in the program.
EDTC 515 Fall 2017 Brown This class gave me the opportunity to look at
Educational technology and the social issues
Influencing its growth and implementation.
That included Project Based Learning in the
21st Century, Massive Open Online Classes
(MOOC), and Google Hangouts. I looked
at positive emerging trends, along with the
dark side of the internet. My MARP was
on the Smart Board.
EDTC 517 Fall 2017 Bruzzese This class included the different ways and
Methods used to improve student learning
Using technology. I learned how to utilize
social media, Blogs and websites to engage
students and stay connected to the digital
around us.
EDTC 527 Fall 2017 Courduff This class expanded my knowledge on the
The assistive technology available to assist
Our students so that they can be successful.
EDUC 526 Fall 2017 Courduff My final master class gave me the chance
To reflect on what I have learned in the
Program, and the growth that has taken
place to prepare me to be a special
education teacher.
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Personal Growth

As I reflect on my personal growth, I have learned a lot about myself during these

classes. Personal growth has been found to be positively associated with gratitude, hope, and

curiosity or stretching the mind (Sharma, & Garg, 2016, pg. 204). I have grown in each of these

areas during this program. For instance, I have a better understanding of my own learning style,

and for that I am thankful. I have discovered that I am dominantly a visual learner. While others

can learn by listening to a lecture, I learn more from participating in an online forum or creating

a presentation. This means that I understand at a higher level when I see an example of what the

professor is looking for in an assignment, rather than trying to read instructions and comprehend

what is being asked of me. It is freeing to have this understanding of myself, and to stop

comparing myself to my peers.

Second, with the classes being on-line, I have found that it is important to make personal

connections as part of the learning process even though we do not meet in a typical classroom.

The forums have been instrumental to further my understanding of the lessons each week, along

with helping me build connections with my peers along the way. This has given me new hope

during this part of my education. Although I have not met many of my online classmates or

professors in person, I have had the opportunity to interact via hangouts and through this have

made personal connections. I have found that technology itself is a personal connection for me.

Next, when it comes to spiritual growth, I have been blessed with instructors that have

shared their passion for the Lord, and that has sparked growth in my relationship with God. The

spiritual focus forums have stretched my mind to see God in a different way than I had before

becoming a student at APU. In fact, throughout this journey, it has been important to find

balance with my commitments of school, family, and my career. This has been accomplished
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through prayer, time alone with God, meditating on His word, and attending church. The forums

each week have stretched me in ways that I could not imagine, and have been a blessing that I

will take with me.

Professional Growth

The professors at Azusa have given me a gift that I take with me as a new teacher. They

have given me the knowledge to advance my educational expertise, and this will be a great asset

to the students I work with in special education. Also, the program has built my confidence as an

innovative educator, and I will be able to evolve with new and emerging trends that come along

in educational technology. I now understand how to utilize a variety of teaching methods using

technology to reach a greater diversity of students and their different learning needs.

My professional vision has changed greatly during this program. It has moved from

survival to focusing on being the best teacher I can be so that I am able to meet the individual

goals set forth in the Individual Education Program (IEP) of each of my students. I am passionate

about incorporating technology into the curriculum to enrich lessons to increase student skill set

and knowledge. This program has prepared me to be an effective teacher, and my desire is to

continue to grow in my knowledge as an educator and to continue my passion for learning. In the

words of Abraham Maslow, You will either step forward into growth, or step backward into

safety (Tracy, 2010, pg. 27). I look forward to continuing my growth and moving forward.

Technical Growth

When it comes to technical growth, my advancement has come through discipline,

practice as well as trial and error. The Master of Arts in Education: Learning and Technology

(LRNT) became my choice after being in the middle school classroom for many years and being
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a witness to the direction that education is heading. Having a LRNT will benefit me both

professionally and personally. In the words of Justin Tarte, Technology can no longer be

viewed as a learning enhancer; it must be viewed as a foundational piece of living in the 21st

century (Tarte, 2016). When a started the program, I had ideas about how technology could be

used in education based on what I had learned and seen in the classroom. However, my

knowledge has surpassed far beyond my expectancy, giving me diverse creative ways of using

technology to enhance my students learning.

New technology became key in this program and the biggest change that took place for

me was my shift from Microsoft Word to Google Docs. Google Docs, a web-based platform,

allows me to share documents so that collaboration with others can take place from different

locations. It also allows the document to be converted in a portable document format (PDF)

using Adobe Acrobat Pro. Also during this time, I was introduced to and used technology like

Live Binder, Symbaloo, Blogger and even Twitter. Live Binder and Symbaloo are great

organizational tools that will be useful as an educator, but also for my students. On the other

hand, Blogger and Twitter are forms of sharing information online. Twitter is a shorter form of

blogging termed Microblogging with a character limit of one-hundred forty, where a Blog length

is at the writers discretion. I can see a place in the classroom for each of these technology tools.

The most significant growth in technology for me has taken place using on-line hangouts,

like Google Hangouts, and Zoom. This opens the door for meetings utilizing technology when it

is not possible to meet in person. Considering that, Many students use Social Media as one of

the primary ways to communicate, this might be a way to better engage younger generations

(Vest, 2011, para. 1). The diverse methods of technology have helped me to develop my own
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skills so that I will be able to help students feel comfortable with technology. This will help them

be successful both in their education and once they are out in the world.

Life Long Learning Plan

As professionals, a life-long learning plan is a must as we live in a world that is always

changing, especially in education. As a teacher, it is important to have a specific plan to continue

professional development so that we can prepare our students for their future in higher education

or the work place. I plan on continuing to be a life-long learner as part of an active personal

learning network (PLN). This means that I will attend conferences and other professional

develop opportunities through the school where I work. I will attend these every year for the rest

of my career.

As I begin my dream of being a teacher in just one week, I have taken the advice of many

teachers, along with the teaching at Azusa Pacific University and understand that my first year is

going to be tough. My plan in this area is to be an active learner and listener so that each moment

can be a teachable moment with the understanding that failures are part of a new teaching

experience. I will learn from those defeats and not repeat them to become a proficient, effective

teacher.

I see myself continuing to grow as an educator and becoming a better case manager in

special education and more effective as teacher. This will happen by taking professional

development opportunities, attending conferences, and also focusing on my personal learning

network. This plan will help me to continue to grow in all areas of my life and prepare me for the

next step in my career.

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Conclusion

As I look back on this journey, I can see Gods fingerprints throughout the program. I am

not the same student that started just a few months back, but have transformed into a confident

teacher that is ready to introduce technology as part of her curriculum. I take with me

knowledge, resources, spiritual growth and the new friendships that I have made during my time

at Azusa Pacific University. In the words of Pastor Rick Warren, God has a plan for your life,

and it is for you and you alone (Warren, 2014, para. 1). I know that it was Gods plan all along

for me earn a Master of Arts in Education: Learning and Technology (LRNT), and I am blessed

that it was completed at APU.

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References

Sharma, M., & Garg, D. (2016). Personal growth as a correlate of gratitude, hope and curiosity

among college students. Indian Journal of Positive Psychology, 7(2), 201-205.

Tarte, J. (2016). Life of an Educator [Twitter Moment]. Retrieved from

https://twitter.com/justintarte/status/747144662729658368

Tracy, B. (2010). How the best leaders lead. [Electronic resource]: proven secrets to getting the

most out of yourself and others. New York: AMACOM, c2010.

Vest, J. (2011). Google Hangouts: Six Practical Uses for Online Education. Retrieved from

https://www.learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/772/googlehangoutsixpracticle

=uses%20for-online-education

Warren, R. (2014, May 24). God Has a Plan for Your Life [Devotional]. Retrieved from

http://pastorrick.com/devotional/english/god-has-a-plan-for-your-life