I am very happy to be typing my last blog for my master of education program. Transliteracy has influenced the way I think and plan my teaching. I know the importance of having my students exposed to all forms of education, and it's critical that my students are updated on all digital forms of literacy. I have also seen that it's important that I continue to educate myself in this ever changing world of education. I feel proud to be a part of the innovative learning program, it has enriched my professional career.

Now it is time for my final blog. It took me over a year or so to really think about joining the master program. I went to a couple of meetings that was hosted by Touro and Napa Learns in the district. After each meeting I'd go home and think, "Maybe next semester". The time was never right. I realized the time would never be "right". I just had to jump right in. I'm proud of myself for sticking it thorough. I almost quit a couple of times within each semester for various reasons, some good and some just because I was exhausted. I am proud of the example I have set for my nephews and my students. I talked about persistence with them and that anything is possible. My parents are proud of me, because they came to this country with an elementary and middle school education, yet they are hardly "uneducated" because of their life experiences. 

Entering the program, I would say that I looked at technology as something that I didn't really need to incorporate into my classroom. When looking at the SAMR model now, which I didn't even know existed prior to this program, I definitely was in the substitution stage where I used tech as an enhancement but that was about it. In less than a year, I use technology in by classroom daily. Students are working on math, using tech tools to bridge a gap in their learning. Students are creating presentations to interpret their learning in science, and increasing their reading comprehension through daily use of reading on computers. I would say that I still have a long way to go, but I have moved into the redefinition stage. 

I'd like to think that all the time spent in this program has led me to become an innovative teacher, and a lifetime learner. Thank you Touro and Napa Learns for guiding me trough this journey.

As I am completing all the necessary projects to get my degree, I have noticed that I can spend a lot of time going over my projects to perfect, but they will never be perfect in my eyes. When it comes to creating something unique, such as the poster, as much as I might feel that I need to add, change, rearrange, it's probably best that I just continue to follow the requirements and let it be. 

I am very excited to be close to the finish line. This is an accomplishment that I never thought I would be able to complete. Although daunting and overwhelming in the beginning, I have been able to complete my projects with the support of everyone in my cohort. 

Creating my capstone video at first was a challenge. I didn't know where to begin. What really helped me was to see the capstone videos from my peers. They had some great and soffisticated ideas, which helped be gain some confidence to where I should go.

Working on my capstone site also helped guide me more to where I needed to go with my video. I was able to add more details to the video, but I kept it really simple. I wanted to use Adobe Spark, which I have become very comfortable with. I did have one technical issue. As I was recording, some slides would pick up my voice and other slides wouldn't. It became frustrating, and I thought it was a wifi or adobe site issue. It turns out that it was my computer case cover that was interfering with the microphone. I had to google the issue, and after I removed the case, I was able to record clearly.  

Now I have a video that is a little over 2 minutes long. I don't think I need to trim any of the "fat" yet. My one "concern" or "frustration" that I have is about the creation of a second video. Why do we need to create another video which technically is about our journey through the program just like the shorter video? I think that one video should be enough, maybe combination of the 2 videos into one 3-4 minute video. It's just seems like repetitive work to me that might not be a good use of our time. 

​C'est la vie.

The Tour University values are listed below.

• Respect for the inherent value and dignity of each individual
  
• Intellectual inquiry, discovery, and passion for life-long learning
  
• Acceptance and appreciation of diversity
  
• Compassion and service to society
  
• Student-centered education
  
• Collaboration and sense of community
  
• Promotion of inter-professionalism
  
  Through this program, I have learned valuable things that will help support my continuation in the educational field. Most importantly, I have ignited a new love of learning within myself, and I am eager to share my new discoveries with my colleagues. I don't think that I can change the world, but I can try to  instill my  love of learning to my students and nephews. I want to share my story that anything is possible regardless of your background. If you take one step forward, naturally you'll take another and so on. Thus is how I have moved through the intimidated program, one step at a time and I can see the finish line after a few hurdles I need to jump.
  
  
  
  
  
  

Looking back through my journey in this program, I have noticed that I have substantially increased the  use of technology in my classroom.  The TPACK model has supported my process in planning instruction. I am able to use different types of technology to support my students various levels in the classroom. I am really excited to continue using what I have learned, and continue to explore to endless possibilities of what's out there for my students to continue learning an thriving. 

Honestly, I feel that I am not ready to create my storyboard script fro my capstone video. I have the content ready, I know that I will be using Adobe Spark, but I do not have the creativity or motivation. I am trying to not have a fixed mindset when it comes to producing something creative, but I honestly I am so overwhelmed with staying on top of things in my classroom, that I don't have much creativity left for my project. 

I thought creating a logo would be easier than it really is. There are so many tiny technical things to consider in order to make my logo be unique. I'm sure these multi-million companies had given  lot of money for a simple logo. I had an idea in my mind of what I'd like to create. But as soon as I began with Canva, I went so many different directions that I got confused. Not only that, but Canva would pop up prices for me to pay. I spent a lot of time on that site for nothing. I'm sure there are many people that found Canva helpful, I found it frustrating.

After taking a break, I logged onto Logojoy, claiming it's free and easy. All the selections are pretty basic, nothing spectacular. I spent some time trying to incorporate my first vision of a logo. I selected one that wasn't too exciting, but a start. Then I was ready to save it, and it asked to pick type of purchase plan. WHAT?!? I'm not investing in a mediocre logo. So I had to start all over with another site. Logojoy didn't bring me too much joy, I hope the site gave others some joy though.

The third site I used was logomakr. I was able to create a simple logo for free but the quality is not so great. I also had trouble saving it, I'm unsure of which program is compatible for me to save under in my google drive. Currently it's saved as a pdf and when I try to open it, it asks for me to select a  program. I don't know, this is a bit more complicated than I hoped for. I'm better off hand drawing a picture and uploading it myself. Good luck logo makers!

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