Running

head: MY JOURNEY THROUGH EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

My Journey through Educational Technology
Jennifer Henao
Azusa Pacific University

Authors Note
Jennifer Henao, Online Masters in Educational Technology student, Azusa Pacific
University.
Concerns regarding this exploration should be addressed to Jennifer Henao,
Department of Online Masters in Educational Technology, Azusa Pacific University. Email: jhenao11@apu.edu

MY JOURNEY THROUGH EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

Abstract
The student educational progress in the online educational technology program at Azusa
Pacific University are shown using charts on the curriculum involved and my learning
goals. Also, the spiritual and professional growth of the student is mentioned in the
major sections of the writing. Together they form a description of the journey a graduate
student takes to complete the rigorous program of the Online Educational Technology
degree.

MY JOURNEY THROUGH EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

History of Coursework
Course #

Name of Course

Term
Completed

Professor

Key Learning/Reflection

EDTC 511

Foundations of
Education
Technology

Fall 2013

Dr. Bacer

EDUC 515

Emerging
Trends

Spring 2013

T. McKean

Learned Acrobat skills

including, adding post-it
notes, highlighting and
bookmarking.
Skills learned include audio
podcasting, screen casting,
Audacity, Ustream.

EDTC 517

Digital
Communications

Fall 2013

J. Bruzzese

EDTC 518

Global
Learning/Cross
Cultural
classrooms

Spring 2014

Dr. Bacer

EDTC 521

Digital Imagery
for learning
environments

Spring 2014

D. Potter

EDTC 523

Information
Design and
Hypermedia

Spring 2014

L. Silva

EDTC 524

Instructional
Design and
Development

Summer 2014

K. Price

EDTC 520

Managing TechSupported
Curriculum

Fall 2014

E. Silver

EDTC 526

Practicum in
Education

Spring 2015

Dr. Bacer

EDUC 571

Curriculum
Foundations

Fall 2008

EDUC 572

Educational
Psychology

Fall 2008

Skills learned include

virtual classroom
connection using tools such
as Skype and Google
Hangout. Also learned
basic website building.
Skills learned include
making culture connections
in virtual learning.
Developing Global
Learning Project (GLP).
Implementation and
advertisement of GLP.
Skills learned include photo
shop, digital imagery, and
esthetics.
Skills learned include
building websites, trust
monitor policies, and site
mapping for accurate web
design.
Skills learned include
building backwards design
units and lessons.
Skills learned include
evaluating school
technology plans and
student improvement plans.
Skills learned include
building an e-portfolio and
performing a selfevaluation.
Skills learned include lesson
and unit planning,
scaffolding, and
differentiation.
Skills learned include
adapting lessons to students
individual learning needs.

MY JOURNEY THROUGH EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

Areas of Growth
Personal Growth
My journey through the educational technology program at Azusa Pacific
University has been immensely valuable. Not only has it taught me valuable educational
information, it has also helped me grow personally. My growth has been most noticeable
in my spiritual reflections. Also, I have grown in my educator collaboration and unit and
lesson development.
Spiritual reflection was one of the most enjoyable pieces of every unit. Each
professor had a great way to implement and present the word of the Lord. It was
wonderful to be able to connect our reading of scripture with what we do in our lessons
and daily lives. It was amazing how our most inspiring pieces of scripture came at the
most fortunate times in our program. At times when defeat was setting in, a piece of
reflective scripture helped to rejuvenate me.
Just as scripture was used to guide our discussions, my fellow cadre members
proved repeatedly to be supportive and inspiring. It was pleasant to see that I was not the
only one who was having difficulty in and out of the classroom. The reality is that we are
all active, learning adults. As a cadre we shared ideas, strategies, and accomplishments.
Prior to taking these online courses, I had not taken any additional courses beyond
my teaching credential to enhance teaching strategies and important basic elements of
teaching. One of the most impactful modules of the program was the module on unit
building. Refining these skills really helped me grow personally. I feel that it centered
and focused my purpose as an educator. Planning and developing meaningful and

MY JOURNEY THROUGH EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

transparent units for my students made me realize my purpose for being in the
Educational Technology program.
At many times, my personal growth blended with my professional growth.
Reflecting back, I feel I most benefited from this programs spiritual journey. Making
network connections with other members of the educational community and re-aligning
myself to the real purpose of why I am an educator were why this program has been so
valuable to me. Getting back to the basics of lesson building and unit building helped
with remembering why I am an educator today. As teachers become facilitators of
learning and incorporate technology into their instructional strategies, they will progress
through several developmental stages. (Shelly, Gunter, & Gunter, 2012, p. 217)
Professional Growth
This program has been extremely helpful in enhancing and boosting my career.
Not only did it build my confidence as an educator, but it also boosted my students test
scores and engagement in the classroom. It helped me gain a promotion to become an
administrator that works directly with teachers on their education technology needs. My
job is to coach teachers in the tools they need to improve their teaching strategies in the
classroom.
Evidence of this enhancement can be seen in the clear results of my personal
accomplishments in and out of my classroom. Implementing the new strategies learned
through the educational technology program assisted my students connect to their content
more than ever before. After several classroom observations, my site administrator was
impressed with my student-learning outcomes. Furthermore, I was then asked to develop
and present several professional development lessons to teachers. After these professional

MY JOURNEY THROUGH EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

development lessons, I was designated the new academic coach and program facilitator
of my school site.
Technical Growth
At the beginning of our cadres journey, many expressed that they were all at
different stages of technology understanding. Personally, I felt comfortable with the
basics of technology. I was comfortable with using basic software like Word, Excel, and
PowerPoint. Good examples of my growth include a well-rounded understanding of
essential web tools, understanding web 2.0, and online learning teaching strategies.
The web tools that I found most helpful were Adobe Acrobat, Portable Document
Format (PDF), and Google tools like blogger, documents, and drive. Other extremely
helpful tools include the use of creating websites and free online sources like Weebly or
wix.com were the most interesting. These websites were important because they used
widgets and easy to use navigational tools. This was my first exposure to such well
developed tools.
Next, online collaboration was the key to my success in the program. After
learning the tools of online collaboration from sites like Google hangouts, Skype, and
Adobe Connect, it was easy to see how beneficial this could be in and out of the
classroom. For example, tools like Skypes call recording allowed me to hold a video
collaborative lesson with a teacher in Argentina. My Advanced Placement students
benefitted from the flipped classroom model introduced in this program.
Lastly, learning the proper usage of data documents like Excel and Google drive
helped with promoting and enhancing student learning. In the latter part of the program I
was promoted, and had been given the large task of helping improve school academic

MY JOURNEY THROUGH EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

rates. Part of this role includes being able to create and analyze data to help target
student needs. A good example of this is analyzing the results of our students California
High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). It is important to be able to explain to teachers
where our students are struggling academically.
Overall, the foundation the program provided has helped me improve my teaching
and profession. I now feel more confident in being able to assist fellow teachers with
technological instruction.
Life Long Learning Path
The scary release of graduation is upon me. I begin to think of whats next.
Professionally, I feel that I have already started a new journey. So now I ask myself,
How am I going to apply everything I have learned and continue to grow professionally
and educationally? Its important to stay involved and connected with the electronic
community. This new 21st century style of learning and teaching is one that many
teachers and administrators are learning.
I will continue my learning by attending technology conferences that my district
offers. I would specifically enjoy attending International Society For Technology in
Education (ISTE) and other STEM based conferences and expos.
Every life long learners dream is to make our passion known to others. One way
to continue my education is to enroll in a doctorate program that will allow me to
continue researching and learning new educational technologies. I am completely
convinced that this is the new way of learning.

MY JOURNEY THROUGH EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

My Game Plan
Steps
1

What?
Stay connected with the eworld for educational
technology

2
3

Enroll in Ed Tech or
Leadership Doctorate
Program
Build my surroundings

Collaboration

Become a Presenter

How?
Enroll and subscribe to
journals, global learning
communities, and elearning conferences yearly.
Continue professional
growth and apply for
university.
Create lessons, units, and
educational videos to help
teachers and build
community.
Continue collaboration with
global communities through
Edmodo, ISTE community
members, and Skype in the
classroom.
Provide district professional
development opportunities

Conclusion
The completion of this program has not only helped me grow educationally but
professionally and spiritually as well. My growth is driven by the personal connections
made with biblical passages and my cadre collaboration. The wealth of knowledge and
inspiration has given me the drive to continue growth in technical skills and to better my
teaching and leadership.

MY JOURNEY THROUGH EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

References

Lindsay, J., & Davis, V. (2013). Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds:

Move to Global Collaboration One Step at a Time. Boston: Pearson.
Shelly, G. B, Gunter, G. A., & Gunter, R. E (2012). Teachers Discovering
Computers: Integrating Technology in a Connected World (7th ed.).
Boston, Mass,: Course Technology Cengage Learning.
Wiggins, G., & McTighe, J. (2011). The Understanding By Design Guide to
Creating High-Quality Units. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.