5302 Growing of the Mind: Learning Contributions

Concepts of Educational Technology

This is the course that helped me grow the most! First of all, all of my assignments were due on the weekends I was the most busiest. The Growth Mindset Plan and Learning Manifestos were on the two weekends I had big wedding events. I worked ahead of time and turned in my assignments early feeling pretty confident; I pulled an all nighter for the Learning Manifesto, since I was traveling and would not have a computer insight. One would think, "Oh, you did great then! Since you didn't procrastinate". Well, no. Don't worry because this was my first real growth mindset moment; I received feedback from my work which made me realize: my work was good not great. It hadn't reached its full potential yet. The guidance helped a lot. 

• Growth Mindset Plan. I incorrectly focused on my innovation plan which was not the subject of the assignment. I realized it was easier for me to talk about my innovation rather myself. Attempt number 2 was exponentially more difficult than the first one. I feel uncomfortable talking about myself; I don't like it. This is still an area of growth, but I did start applying the plan. 

• Learning Manifesto. Still struggling on talking about myself. I feel like I haven't accomplished anything worth bragging about. I notice what needs to be fixed but get caught up with the mundane routine. I am inspired easily but I am horrible executing. (Teaser: I just finished my 4 Disciplines of Execution, I feel more confident.)

• Readings and Videos. It has been ages since I enjoyed an informational adult text that wasn't a biography. I absolutely loved Dweck's book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. I finished it in two days and felt invigorated.

• Discussion Boards: I struggled big time with managing my time these 8 weeks. So much happened that I am still recovering. I did post in each discussion board, but I didn't really use it to its fullest potential. 

• Groups: This is going to sound crazy, but I am in two groups. With one group I shared my work and asked for feedback; they said it was great, but they never gave me pointers. I am not sure if they felt bad, but I was open to it. They never shared their work, so I didn't have anything to compare my work with. I even offered to review their work for their 5305 class and help them create an ePortfolio, but I was never taken up on that offer. The other group was more about creating an ePortfolio which I already made the previous 8 weeks. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this class. I enjoyed being frustrated for not getting things right and wanting to fix it. This experience was worth more than just the lessons learned. I can take two courses, work a full time job, and have a personal life (my brother moved out of my house, had two weddings, one wedding as a bridesmaid and the other I had to travel to California, started soccer club at school, lead Hispanic Heritage Month, starting art club, my best friends extravagant birthday party, hosted my mom and aunt from Puerto Rico, and dog sat the craziest dogs ever). I didn't survived, I overcame.