BLENDED LEARNING WITH Ms. A
Blended Learning Synthesis
My primary interest lies in blended learning, digital portfolios, and educational technology. I am committed to designing student-centered learning environments that promote self-reflection, collaboration, and digital literacy.
Blended learning allows me to leverage technology to create flexible, personalized learning experiences. By integrating ePortfolios, I provide students with opportunities to showcase their growth, critically reflect on their learning, and develop essential skills for college and career readiness.
Explore my thoughts on blended learning and its impact on student engagement below!
About Me
My name is Candace Alexander, and I am an educator passionate about integrating technology into learning to create engaging, student-centered experiences. With a background in mathematics education, I have spent years refining my instructional strategies to align with best practices in blended learning. Through the Applied Digital Learning (ADL) program, I have explored innovative ways to enhance student engagement and ownership of learning, leading me to develop my ePortfolio initiative for high school math classrooms.
This journey has been transformative, pushing me to challenge traditional instructional methods and embrace Choice, Ownership, Voice, and Authentic Learning (COVA) to empower students in their education. My work focuses on scaffolding digital tools, fostering metacognitive reflection, and creating meaningful learning environments where students can showcase their progress over time.
🔗 Learn more about me: About Page
🔗 Read my Learning Philosophy: Learning Philosophy
As part of the ADL program, I developed an Innovation Plan centered on ePortfolios in high school math. This initiative aims to move beyond traditional assessments and provide students with a digital space for reflection, self-assessment, and growth.
Why ePortfolios?
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Encourages self-reflection by allowing students to document their learning journey.
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Provides authentic assessment beyond multiple-choice tests.
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Enhances digital literacy skills necessary for college and career readiness.
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Fosters student agency through choice and personalization of learning.
Key Components of My Innovation Plan:
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Implementing a structured ePortfolio framework in math classrooms.
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Training educators and students on effective ePortfolio use.
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Measuring impact using qualitative and quantitative research methods.
🔗 Read my full Innovation Plan: Innovation Plan
Applying CSLE + COVA to Create a Learner-Centered Environment
Throughout the ADL program, I have embraced the Creating Significant Learning Environments (CSLE) model, which emphasizes designing student-centered experiences that are engaging, meaningful, and adaptable. By incorporating COVA, I have learned to give students control over their learning, leading to higher engagement, critical thinking, and ownership of knowledge.
🔗 Learn how I applied CSLE + COVA: CSLE + COVA & Learner’s Mindset
Key Takeaways from My ADL Journey-What Worked?
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Implementing ePortfolios improved student reflection and engagement.
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Applying structured change strategies (4DX, Influencer, Crucial Conversations) created momentum for transformation.
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Embracing a growth mindset allowed for continuous improvement of my innovation plan.
What Could Be Improved?
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Expanding my influence beyond my classroom by advocating for district-wide adoption.
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Enhancing measurement strategies to track the long-term effectiveness of ePortfolios.
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Engaging with a more diverse professional network of educators and edtech specialists.
Where I Am Looking to Anticipate Change
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The rise of AI in education and how it will impact personalized learning.
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The increasing focus on competency-based learning and digital credentialing.
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Shifts in student expectations regarding digital learning tools.
🔗 Reflections and Lessons Learned: Reflections Page
My Learning Community & Professional Growth
One of the most valuable aspects of the ADL program has been collaborating with fellow educators. Engaging in discussions, receiving feedback, and sharing experiences have helped refine my innovation plan and provided new perspectives on digital learning strategies.
🔗 Read about my Learning Community: Learning Community
Key Takeaways from My ADL Journey-What Worked?
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Implementing ePortfolios improved student reflection and engagement.
-
Applying structured change strategies (4DX, Influencer, Crucial Conversations) created momentum for transformation.
-
Embracing a growth mindset allowed for continuous improvement of my innovation plan.
What Could Be Improved?
-
Expanding my influence beyond my classroom by advocating for district-wide adoption.
-
Enhancing measurement strategies to track the long-term effectiveness of ePortfolios.
-
Engaging with a more diverse professional network of educators and edtech specialists.
Where I Am Looking to Anticipate Change
-
The rise of AI in education and how it will impact personalized learning.
-
The increasing focus on competency-based learning and digital credentialing.
-
Shifts in student expectations regarding digital learning tools.
🔗 Reflections and Lessons Learned: Reflections Page
Reading List
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American Psychological Association. (2019). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association
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Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. New York, NY: Random House
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Friedman, E. H. (2007). A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the age of the quick fix. Church Publishing, Inc.
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Harapnuik, D. & Thibodeaux, T. (2023). COVA: Inspire Learning Through Choice, Ownership, Voice, and Authentic Experiences. Learner's Mindset Publishing
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Horn, M. B., & Staker, H. (2014). Blended: Using disruptive innovation to improve schools. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 1118955153
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Mertler, C. A. (2019). Action research: Improving schools and empowering educators (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.
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Patterson, K., & Grenny, J. (2013). Influencer: The New Science of Leading Change, Second Edition. McGraw-Hill Education.
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Thomas, D., & Brown J. S. (2011). A New Culture of Learning: Cultivating the imagination for a world of constant change. (Vol 219) Lexington, KY: CreateSpace.
Categories & Archives
To make my ADL coursework easy to navigate, I have organized my ePortfolio into the following categories:
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Innovation Plan – Research, development, and implementation strategies.
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Reflections & Insights – Key takeaways from each course and learning experiences.
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Educational Research & Theories – Influential frameworks, case studies, and applications.
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Professional Learning & Development – Strategies for ongoing educator growth.
Use the search function on my ePortfolio to explore these topics in detail:
Search My ePortfolio
Resources
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Almalki, G. M., & Al-Robaiy, H. M. (2022). Educational technology adoption: A systematic review. Educational Technology Research and Development
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Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10639-022-10951-7
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Harapnuik, D. (n.d.). (2021, September 10). Creating Significant Learning Environments and the COVA Approach [Video]. YouTube. Creating Significant Learning Environments (CSLE)
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Harapnuik, D. (n.d.). Who owns the ePortfolio? Retrieved from http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6050
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Mertler, C. A. (2019). Action research: Improving schools and empowering educators (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.
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Rowley, J., & Munday, J. (2014). A 'sense of self' through reflective thinking in ePortfolios. International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology (IJEDICT), 10(2), 21-37.
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Yancey, K. B. (2009). Reflection and electronic portfolios: Inventing the self and reinventing the university. International Journal of ePortfolio, 2(1), 1-9. Retrieved from https://www.theijep.com/pdf/IJEP39.pdf
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Zimmerman, B. J. (2002). Becoming a self-regulated learner: An overview. Theory Into Practice, 41(2), 64-70. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1207/s15430421tip4102_2
Connect With Me
I am always open to collaborating, sharing insights, and discussing digital learning strategies. Feel free to reach out via my email calexander@lamar.edu. Thanks for reading! :)