Gods Desires Are My Desires

Growth Assessment
Danielle Welker
EDUC 526 Capstone Experience in Digital Teaching and
Learning
Dr. Joanne Gilbreath
APU Murrieta Campus
12/14/14

Introduction-Setting the Context

My desire to be a teacher began at age 4. I remember lining up all of my dolls and
stuffed animals in a row and using a long ruler stick as I babbled and pretended to model
reading like I fully had mastered it myself. After going through school and graduating
high school, I had lost sight of this dream and questioned whether that was really for me.
I decided to move to Kampala, Uganda and take a gap year to serve a family and figure it
all out. Overseas, I looked after Ben, age 7. Ben has high functioning autism and needed
assistance as he integrated into the general education setting. It was in Uganda, at the
International School, that I decided that being a supportive role to students was
something I am very passionate about in my life. I decided to get my Bachelors at Azusa
Pacific University and received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies with a
minor in psychology in 2013.
After graduating, I was fairly certain that a teaching credential and masters was
next on my list to pursue. My student teaching experience taught me above everything
else, the importance of being consistent and showing up for these kids. It was a fun
loving 8th grade resource class that I had the opportunity to work with for 6 months. Prior
to this, throughout my college experience I had worked in the classroom as a
paraprofessional aide. This was a great opportunity to not just be a supporting role but the
leading lady! I was responsible for creating lesson plans and carrying them out. With
successes, also came failures, and as a result I am more refined with a strengthened
resolve in the classroom. After attaining my teaching credential, life happened and I got
married to a military man!

California to Alabama was my next move, and I was grateful to Azusa Pacific
University for allowing me to finish my Masters course online. After arriving to
Alabama, being added to the subbing list, I decided that while I enjoy teaching, I enjoy
one to one and small group instruction far more. My teaching credential is mild/moderate
Special Education, so it was no surprise when I applied for a position at an ABA clinic
(Applied behavior analysis). As I begin my journey working as a therapist, the tools and
technology Ive learned in the program, can be applied in this field, and has set me up for
success in my new job!
Technology in the classroom is a huge development. School systems realized that
by integrating technology teachers and faculty are working smarter not harder. This
program has taught me a wealth of knowledge on exactly how to implement technology
into lessons, while simultaneously meeting the needs/IEP goals/state standards of each
student. For example, before the program when someone said technology my mind
immediately assumed, oh implement a power point presentation. Now, my mind says,
Okay, which APP shall we adapt to the lesson? Shall we use the flipped classroom
approach? Create a movie with Imovie? A Blog? Mobile device questionnaire quiz in the
classroom? The confidence to utilize technology grouped with the knowledge of how to
do so, has contributed to a relevant effective teaching style I am excited to practice!

Personal Growth
It has been a journey unraveling my strengths and how I grow to nourish these
God-given strengths. An effective teacher does more than a good job at teaching. A
teacher is a constant learner. In my personal life I have gone from not knowing my gifts,
to discovering my gifts, to using my gifts, and finally to growing my gifts as I use them.
This transition has made me who I am today. My greatest strengths are that I am
empathetic and that I am people oriented. I realize that we are meant to do things together
and though my flesh may try to master it on my own, when I have given time and effort
into teamwork the result always produces ten-fold. Learning to be humble and teachable
is as important as teaching. This has been something that I feel I have come to appreciate
rather than avoid.
As much as I would love to toot my own horn and discuss all of the wonderful
things about Danielle, I have had to learn how to overcome my weaknesses equally so. It
has been a struggle to remain consistent and have balance in my life. While some may
say, that is awesome, you go ALL in. What this also means is that if my heart is not into
it, I also go ALL out. This program has taught me how to endure assignments not just for
completion but for excellence. I have learned that in the real world there are a lot of parts
to a job that arent fun and that I wont feel like completing. However, I have
personally grown tremendously in this area as I have realized that the choice of
excellence is something God calls for us to do not only in our careers and daily lives, but
also in our marriages and circumstances.
The relationships formed with peers and professors, has made this program worth
it for me. The collaboration and cooperation is how I have thrived in the environment but

in person and online. In my walk with Christ, I have learned what it means to prayerfully
consider His will in every facet of my life. How am I taking care of my spiritual life?
How am I emotionally connecting with my community? How am I serving the
community? How am I taking care of my personal health and wellness? How am I
serving my husband? The questions really could go on forever. My self-awareness paired
with the action in improving, has prompted me to not remain stagnant in my faith with
God. It has taken an immense amount of faith to leave my family and move across the
country. My experience in trusting for a new job in a new area has only shown Gods
faithfulness beyond what I could imagine.
This degree is something I am very proud to have, but realize that it wasnt my
own doing. Gods faithfulness first, then my parents love and support is why I will attain
this degree. It is special that I am the only child out of four siblings to attain a higher
level of education, and through this I hope to encourage the other siblings to be constant
learners. I am thankful for the abundant blessings that continue to overflow in my life,
God has been faithful and I choose to remember this throughout every circumstance I
encounter. I have gotten to a point in my life where my sole desire is to be in alignment
with Gods desires.

Professional Growth
I have grown in a variety of ways as an educator in the past two years. I have
learned the value of intentionality and organization. As an educator, I cannot simply slop
together a lesson, it has to be well planned and thought out. Though nothing goes
according to plan every time, being prepared is crucial in the classroom. I have learned

how to integrate technology on a basic level as well as an advanced level. Using

technology but most importantly adapting technology has made me more confident in the
classroom. Time management is a great contributor to carrying out a successful lesson
and reaching through to kids. In special education, there are a variety of students with a
variety of needs. I learned that this is also in a general education classroom. Reading
about Howard Gardners multiple intelligences, I learned how to adapt and modify
lessons for each learner.
Instructional Strategies-the course that had a great impact on me and challenged
me was EDUC 522 by Dr. Courduff. I didnt only learn about the different types of
learners in depth, I learned how to reach through to these students with specific
instructional tools and strategies. The dreaded unit plan allowed me to think through and
be intentional on how I plan on carrying out each lesson. It was very challenging to
design a guide for higher-level thinking using technology and reaching different levels of
learners. The challenge and amount of thinking to carry out these plans was draining and
yet even more so empowering.
I also greatly benefitted from my EDUC 515 class with Professor Jason Seliskar. I
learned how to maintain a blog and he allowed me the resources to create this website!
Using blogs for educational purposes and networking with other teachers via twitter has
been eye-opening for me. Posting inspirational videos and attending teacher conferences
via online has allowed me access to a wellspring of knowledge in the teaching world!

Action Research Project

Research has been shown that either removing or adding a behavior is more likely
to stick if it is consistently practiced for a minimum of 21 days (Cooper, 2012). This is a

study that reveals how to implement reading effectively. What works? What doesnt
work? Implementing bible reading results in certain sacrifices like waking up earlier or
going to sleep a little later. Over the course of 8 weeks, this action research plan will help
change the day to day schedule in setting bible reading as a priority to be included in the
daily routine.
As a Christian believer it would be problematic for me to claim that role without
practicing the responsibility of being a believer. Though reviewing old bible stories and
reading random verses when I am feeling low is still effective, it is hardly realistic and
somewhat pathetic. God has given Christians access to His holiness, access to wisdom
and knowledge, access to healing and power, and it is in the form of a bible. This living
document is not to be read once and shelved as a fond memory, but rather consistently
and constantly scrutinized, sought out, read, understood, on a day-to-day basis. A lack of
pursuing the bible is a lack of pursuing Christ in someway, because no person can truly
know the entire bible by memory. As I reflected on my daily life and valuables, I realized
that this was a huge portion missing from my life; daily reading the bible.
This action research is a journey that will reveal many things to me: how much I
really prioritize the bible, how much I am willing to compromise on sticking to my word,
and what other things I am willing to possibly give up if I am unable to fit in my reading.
The problem statement is if I replace 15 minutes of usual social media time with a
chapter from the old testament and a chapter from the new testament daily, can I read
through the whole bible over the course of 1 year? Over the course of 8 weeks can I read
at of the bible?

Procedure:

Step One: In order to create more space for time with God, I need a deficit of
something in my life. I decided to limit my time on facebook by replacing that with
reading the bible. Developing a plan is the first step. When? How long? What? I will read
every morning for 15 minutes as I journey through the one year bible. This bible breaks is
broken up daily and incorporates scripture from the old testament and the new testament.
In order to also spend time with God in prayer, I will sit in 5 minutes of solitude after
reading. Reading for 10 minutes and closing prayer for 5.

Step Two: I will score a tally each day a tally under COMPLETED if I did it, and a
tally under INCOMPLETED if I did not. This way I am acknowledging and aware of the
days I am not doing it. I can make changes and notice trends on days I forget or choose
not to read. A sentence journal on how I am feeling throughout the reading.

Step Three: Analyza data and review the effectiveness and changes experienced over
this period of time to determine if the action research was successful.

THE QUESTION: The goal of spending more time in the word is to spend time
with God and grow in my understanding of the bible as it applies to present day life. Is
replacing social media time with prayer and scripture reading change my attitude and
demeanor over time?

Technical Growth
I learned a great amount in my EDUC 514 class led by Bill Selak. I learned how
to film and edit video that is made by me. I learned copyright laws and how to be
conscious in how I use videos in the classroom. One of the projects was to create a video
that could be used as an anticipatory set, and I ended up using it now in my Life Cycle

unit Plan. Creating my own Youtube that I am proud of and can update has been a great
tool.
Creating my Webquest was a lot of fun for me. I grew tremendously as I had to
learn how to make it student user friendly as well as teacher user friendly. I designed a
Newtons Three Laws of Motion Webquest that I was able to use in my student teaching
experience. It was very cool to put in the time and work ahead of time and then rewarding
to be able to execute it in the classroom. Here is the link to my Webquest:
http://questgarden.com/172/85/5/140713071250/

Life Long Learning Plan

As a military spouse, sometimes it can be hard to make plans to far in advance. I
do have some goals for my life that I plan on achieving regardless. I plan on receiving my
BCBA certification so that I am a qualified ABA therapist. I plan on one day having my
own online business where I practice therapy in the homes of clientele in the area. It
would be a blessing in ten years, once we are planted somewhere long term to be able to
open my own clinic where I incorporate dog therapy. If I am fortunate to go back to
school and earn a doctorates, I would love that. I would love to have a family. In thirty
years, I see myself training and teaching younger generations how to be the best ABA
therapist while incorporating multiple uses of technology, dog therapy, and intentional
lesson plans.

Section 2History of Coursework and Course Evaluation

Evaluation of the impact of the Digital Teaching and Learning
Program

The high level of instruction and modeling that my professors put forth for me in the
program has made this program informative and beneficial to my goals. They taught me
how to create measurable rubrics, specific lesson plans that any sub could replicate,
Google+, and the multitude of google elements: drive, graph, classroom etc. It taught me
how to take Power-point a step further making curriculum interactive. Above all, it taught
me to be brave and use technology in the classroom as a helpful tool. My take away from
this program is my usage of blog and wiki. I plan on networking with teachers in my area
regardless of where in the United States I am.
Name
:
Term:
Cours
e

EDU
C
511

EDU
C
512
EDU
C
514

Danielle Welker
Fall 2
Course
Title &
Instructor
Name
Foundations in
Digital
Teaching and
Learning

Term
Complet
ed

LiveBin
der
URL:

http://www.livebinders.com/
play/play?
present=true&id=1374187

Key Skills
Acquired

Comments/Suggestio
ns

-Wordle
-Skype
-LiveBinder

- An introduction to the
EdTech Program.
-Wordle helped pave the way
as we begin thinking about
using technology assignments
in the classroom
-So what, who cares? Helped
create goals from the get go.
-APU scavenger hunt helped
familiarize myself with APU
and services offered.
-connecting IPAD so that it is
projected.
-showed a library of APPS

Summer 1
2014

INSTRUCTOR:

Instructional
Applications
Productivity
Software

-Webquest
-IPAD tutorial
Summer 1

INSTRUCTOR:
Digital Video in
the Classroom
INSTRUCTOR:

Fall 1

-Camera Technology
-lighting
-sound effects
-editing
-filming
-uploading
-creating own

-Helpful teacher passionate

about what he does. Modeled
how to use different video apps
in addition to going over
Imovie and creating proper
positioning for professional
movies.

EDU
C
515

EDU
C
522

EDU
C
526

Evolving
Educational
Technologies

Fall 2

INSTRUCTOR:

Learning in the
21st Century

Fall 1

INSTRUCTOR:

Capstone
Experience/
Digital
Teaching and
Learning
INSTRUCTOR:

Fall 2

YouTube
-Imovie
-blogs
-google drive
-prezzi
-photoediting
-voicethread
-APPS to meet
multiple intelligences
-lesson planning
-developing a
comprehensive unit
plan.
-reflecting
-enhancing the unit
-Growth Assessment
-Action Research

-how to create and use a blog

that can be shared world wide.
-upload educational content
and share via twitter.
-how to use voicethread in
class.
-Language Arts Unit Plan on
Langston Hughes Poetry
-individualized goals
incorporated into the lesson
plan
- closure to all the classes and
contributed to good self
awareness
-reflecting on learned skills
-Excited to practice all I have
learned throughout the
program in my professional
field!