Innovation Project Update
I have made so many adjustments to my innovation proposal I don’t even remember where I started. When I first started this ADL program, I did not know what to expect or what was expected of me. As I look back on the Innovation Proposal I submitted for my team, I did not utilize the meaning of COVA; that was one change that helped me advance in the ADL program.
Reflections
Identify where you are in your innovation project. What if anything do you have to complete? By when?
I am currently in Phase III of V of my implementation outline. I have started implementing my projects with my students and we have started creating their ePortfolio’s. I wanted to have my students complete all courses by the end of April, but STAAR ALT testing has put the courses on a bit of a hold, however, we are still on track.
Analyze, assess, and reflect on the learning process you have undergone by working on your innovation project.
When I first started the ADL program, I was not yet a classroom teacher, but I did know what I wanted my innovation proposal to focus on and the outcome I wanted to succeed for students with learning disabilities. Since becoming a SpEd teacher, I have really utilized COVA throughout the remaining ADL process. I had to learn to develop a growth mindset in order to step outside the box and think about the change I am trying to implement. I wanted to change all educator's minds on their perception of students with learning disabilities utilizing technology.
What worked?
Having a growth mindset and realizing that I have a voice over what I want the outcome to be. Digging deep into all 10 of my student's minds and assessing their different abilities encouraged this research.
What could you do better?
I feel like I should have taken my innovation proposal seriously the first time. Instead of just writing a proposal I thought would sound good and that the professors wanted to see, I should have thought and dug deeper into the community I wanted to pay attention to.
What lessons have you learned?
I learned that from the beginning the project is all about my view and perception of things and how I can change what is wrong in the special education community.
How do you plan to promote and communicate your innovation project?
I plan to keep promoting and communicating my Innovation Project during all professional development meetings and workshops. When all special educators are together and collaborating, I always bring up the use of technology and its available resources. I have lists of resources that I give teachers who have questions on how they can teach a student a concept.
Knowing what you know now what key things (if any) would you do differently?
I would definitely collaborate with more special education teachers to get their perception of students and technology. Whether it's in a self-contained room or a resource room, all students who have a learning disability can benefit from the research I have done these past two years.
How would you apply what you have learned to your next innovation project?
Now that I know that this is all authentic to me I will take it more seriously next time by utilizing other special education educators and asking more questions about their opinions on students using technology.