Wrapping up another course
- Guadalupe
- Jul 27
- 5 min read
Reflecting on My Digital Learning Journey: A 8-Week Growth Experience
Introduction
Week 1 to Week 8 – An Unexpectedly Transformative Ride
When I first began this course, I’ll admit I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I had some experience with educational technology, but the idea of building an ePortfolio, reflecting weekly through blogs, and working closely in collaborative groups made me feel like I was stepping into new territory. That said, I was also excited—I love learning and growing as an educator.
The first few weeks were eye-opening. From learning what an ePortfolio is and why it's valuable, to exploring digital learning, I quickly began to see the power of curating and reflecting on my professional journey. As weeks progressed, I delved into the future of education, AI, innovative spaces, and leadership styles, each topic bringing me closer to a clearer vision of how I want to lead and teach. Creating an ePortfolio to showcase my work was a highlight, and it now stands as a testament to my growth and commitment to innovation.
What Worked Well – Successes I’m Celebrating
A major success was exploring and applying digital tools that I can use immediately in my Spanish classroom. Tools like Kami, Parent Square, and Blooket have transformed how I communicate, engage, and assess my students. I also enjoyed contributing to my Educational Technology Leadership Role Simulation, which pushed me to think critically about how to lead with technology in meaningful ways. Most importantly, the structure of the course helped me stay organized and reflective—a big win in a busy teaching life. The regular blog reflections encouraged me to pause and think deeply about what I was learning, how it applied to my classroom, and what changes I could implement immediately. This habit of consistent reflection not only deepened my understanding of educational technology but also helped me set clear, actionable goals for both my personal growth and student success.
Growth Areas – Always Room to Improve
While I’ve grown tremendously, I know there's still room to enhance my collaborative communication and time management. There were weeks where juggling the readings, blogs, and discussions felt overwhelming. At times, I had to prioritize which tasks to focus on first, and I found myself working late into the evening to keep up. This experience highlighted the importance of effective time management and self-care, and it reminded me that even professional growth requires realistic pacing. I want to continue improving how I balance thoughtful reflection with timely submissions, especially as I move toward more leadership responsibilities.
Assignment Reflections – Real Tools, Real Impact
In this assignment, I dove deep into several digital platforms I use daily in my classroom, exploring not only their features but also how they enhance student engagement, collaboration, and learning outcomes. I reflected on the practical ways each tool supports different aspects of language acquisition
Kami helps my students annotate, speak, and write in Spanish digitally by transforming static documents into interactive learning experiences. In my AP Spanish class, I use Kami to assign authentic readings where students highlight unfamiliar vocabulary, leave comments with their interpretations, and use the voice recording tool to explain main ideas aloud, which enhances both comprehension and speaking fluency.
Parent Square fosters instant communication with families—especially useful for hard-to-reach parents who may not have the time or resources to consistently check traditional channels like printed flyers or emails. With Parent Square, I can send out quick messages that parents receive directly on their phones via text, push notifications, or email—whichever method they’ve chosen. This immediacy has helped me build stronger, more consistent connections with families, especially those who are working multiple jobs or speak Spanish as a first language
Magic School AI has been a lesson-planning lifesaver. I always tailor what it gives me, but it sparks inspiration and saves me valuable time during busy school weeks. As a Spanish teacher juggling multiple preps and student needs, I often use Magic School AI to generate lesson outlines, quizzes, writing prompts, and even differentiated materials. For example, when planning a unit on food vocabulary and -er/-ir verbs, I simply input my TEKS, objectives, and class level—and within seconds, it offers me engaging activity ideas and scaffolding strategies.
Blooket is my students’ favorite tool—it makes reviews fun and effective by turning traditional question-and-answer practice into exciting, competitive games. Whether we’re reviewing vocabulary, grammar, or cultural topics, Blooket keeps my students engaged from start to finish. As soon as they walk into class and see “Blooket Warm-Up” on the board, they’re energized and ready to participate.
Light Speed Systems helps me keep students focused and accountable by giving me real-time visibility and control over what they’re doing on their devices during class. In a tech-integrated Spanish classroom where students often work on digital activities—whether it’s writing in Google Docs, reviewing vocabulary on Blooket, or completing a Kami assignment—having Light Speed Systems in place allows me to monitor their screens and guide them back on track if they get distracted.
This simulation challenged me to envision myself in a leadership role. I had to think big-picture and practice decision-making while keeping student success and teacher support in mind. It made me realize how important it is to model innovation in our schools. As educators, we set the tone for our students; when we demonstrate curiosity and a willingness to try new approaches, we encourage them to do the same. Leading with innovation means being open to experimentation, learning from failures, and constantly seeking better ways to engage and support every learner.
This is where it all comes together. My ePortfolio is a living, evolving space that holds my reflections, goals, and achievements. Each entry captures insights from my weekly learning, examples of assignments, and evidence of how I apply new tools and strategies with my students. More than just a collection of documents, my ePortfolio is a dynamic platform where I can track progress, set new objectives, and share my journey with colleagues, administrators, and even parents. It reflects my commitment to continuous improvement and lifelong learning, making it an invaluable resource for professional development and future career opportunities. I’m proud of how it turned out and excited to continue updating it throughout my journey.
Collaboration and Self-Discovery
Working with my discussion group was one of the most meaningful parts of this course. I learned how to listen more deeply and how to express my ideas with clarity. Our conversations often pushed my thinking beyond what I would have come to on my own. I also appreciated the support when things got hectic, we really created a culture of helpfulness, just like we discussed in Week 2. If I could change anything, I’d love to have more face-to-face interaction, even virtually, to build even stronger connections.
Wrapping Up – A Confident, Connected Educator
This course has truly changed the way I see educational technology and my role as a teacher-leader. From mastering the creation and use of ePortfolios to exploring the practical applications of AI tools like Magic School AI, from diving into various leadership theories to reimagining innovative classroom environments, I walk away more confident, creative, and deeply connected to a bigger educational purpose. I now understand that technology is not just a set of tools but a powerful catalyst for transforming learning experiences and fostering equity and engagement. More importantly, I see myself as a lifelong learner and a change agent who can inspire colleagues, empower students, and advocate for meaningful innovation in education.
Sources:
TechRadar. (2024). Best AI tools. https://www.techradar.com/best/best-ai-tools
Miller, S. (2023, August 15). Blooket vs. Gimkit: Comparing educational gaming platforms. Medium. https://medium.com/@seanmillerauthor/blooket-vs-gimkit-comparing-educational-gaming-platforms-4a9ea2043e3f
Lightspeed Systems. (2023). 10 top teacher time-saving features: Lightspeed classroom management. https://www.lightspeedsystems.com/blog/10-top-teacher-time-saving-features-lightspeed-classroom-management/
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