Running Head: AN INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY

An Inspirational Journey
Miguel A. Miranda
Azusa Pacific University

AN INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY
History of Coursework
Term 1 Fall 2
Key Learnings
I was able to use applications such as Google
EDTC 511 Foundations in Educational
Hangouts to communicate with colleagues and
Technology, Dr. Kathleen Bacer

EDTC 571 Curriculum Foundations,

Professor Valerie Suffern

Term 2 Spring 1
EDTC 517 Digital Communications,
Professor Joe Bruzzese
EDTC 527 Special Topics in Educational
Technology, Dr. Barry Bettger

Term 3 Spring 2
EDTC518 Global Learning/Cross Cultural
Classroom, Professor Barbara McMillan

EDTC 524 Instructional Design &

Development, Professor Kathryn Price

Term 4 Summer
EDTC 521 Digital Learning/Learning
Environment, Professor Doyle Potter
EDTC 523 Educational Applications:
Informational Design/Hypermedia,
Professor Kathryn Price

students. I was also able to create and edit

documents using Adobe Acrobat Pro. Gained
an understanding of the role Christian World
Views play in building technological capacity
as it pertains to our Masters Program.
Gained knowledge of behavioral theories and
theorists and how it pertains to classroom
learning. Reinforced the concept of multiple
learning styles and classroom instruction.

Key Learnings
I learned how to utilize applications to
communicate online. I also developed websites
for professional and personal purposes.
Gained knowledge on web resources and the
importance of implementing them in the
classroom. Learned about the impact personal
learning networks can have on our growth as
educators.

Key Learnings
Explored and gained knowledge on Global
Learning Projects as a tool to connect our
classrooms to the world. Also learned the
initial process to creating the structure of my
Global Learning Project.
Gained knowledge on designing a unit plan for
effective instruction. I also learned about the
visual principles necessary in the development
of a website.

Key Learnings
Learned various shooting and editing
techniques in the production of high quality
videos. Also learned how to enhance photos by
using photo editing applications.
Evaluated information, interaction, and
interface design of educational websites and
their impact on learning. Developed an
educational website using basic design
principles.

AN INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY

Term 5 Fall 1
EDTC 515 Emerging Trends in
Technology, Professor Timothy Holder

EDTC 520 Managing Technical Supported

Curriculum, Professor Elisabeth Silver

Key Learnings
Through participation, learned what a Massive
Open Online Course (MOOC) is and how they
impact education. Developed and created a
Major Applied Research Project in the form of
a TED Talk.
I learned how to analyze a school districts
technology plan and evaluate strengths and
weaknesses. Collaborated with members of my
cadre to develop a rubric to evaluate software
as well as set goals for a school improvement
plan.

Personal Growth
I truly did not know what to expect when I decided to begin my journey in this
Master of Educational Technology Program (EDTC). As I had mentioned in one of my
initial Faith and Action forum posts during the first quarter, my life as a committed
Christian had only began a few weeks prior. The EDTC program has had such a
profound affect on me that I will try to do it justice by expressing exactly how it has
impacted my life. The EDTC program has helped me to grow as a father, husband, and a
servant of God.
The EDTC program has definitely given me the confidence in my decision to
surround myself with people of faith and walk away from those that I felt had selfish
motives in our friendship. Through my Azusa Pacific University journey I have gained a
better sense of self and who and where I want to be. Through my collaborations with
genuinely good people who live their lives for Christ, I have been able to reevaluate my
values and understand the changes I needed to make in order to be completely honest
with God.
Throughout the EDTC program, I have always felt supported in my decision to change.
This was very important to me because the only way to grow as a person is to be willing

AN INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY
to make necessary changes in life. These changes have allowed me to prioritize things in
my life that have given me more time with my wife and son. I have also learned to
reflect on my behaviors and make sure they are aligned with my core beliefs. Trusting
and being comfortable with my Cadre and Professors gave me a platform to ask questions
and gain insight on the Word of God that I wasnt sure about at times. I truly believe the
EDTC program has had a profound impact on the way I live my life. This is significant
because the way I live my life is the most important manner in which I can show my son
Noah what God is and what His Word means. Christ living in us becomes the superior
translation of the word of God (Bacer, 2016)
Since I started the EDTC program I have taken my brother-in-law Junior as a
mentor. He is a great family man and person of faith who is well versed in the word of
God with a bachelors in Theology from Biola University. This is significant in my life
because he is part of my support system and helps me better understand the Bible. Our
Faith and Action Study Bible (Muck, 2005) has given me the confidence to spend time
reading the word of God and reflecting on my life within it. Another step that I have
taken is to openly tell people of my dedication to building a stronger relationship with our
Lord. I feel it is important that people in my life know me for who I am and who I want
to be, not just who I was. Thanks to the EDTC program at I have been able to grow,
change, and commit for the betterment of my life as a son, father, husband, and servant of
the Lord.
Professional Growth
The EDTC program has had a major impact on my professional growth and career as an
educational administrator. The knowledge and experience I have gained throughout the

AN INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY
EDTC program has put me in a position where my supervisors at my school site and at
the district level see me as a valuable asset in the development of our districts
technology plan. I never would have thought that my knowledge in educational
technology would have been what got me noticed. I have also been able to gain the trust
and confidence of our teaching staff during our professional developments and trainings.
My journey through the EDTC program has been instrumental in the accomplishments I
have been able to achieve in order to strive towards being a better overall educator.
My career took a huge step forward when I was invited by our superintendent and
a board member to join the districts technology committee when they heard of the
masters program I was involved in. Most administrators have a Masters in Education
but very few have one in educational technology. The capacity I have built throughout
the EDTC program has allowed me to successfully contribute to our committee and I
have received positive feedback from my supervisors. At my school site, my principal
has put his trust in my vision for technology at our school. This has been very significant
because I have been able to gain the trust of our teaching staff as someone who is
genuinely working towards moving our school forward with the infusion of technology.
Professionally, I feel much more confident in my ability to communicate
with other professionals in my field and expand my support system. According to
Wagner (2012, para.3), the growth engine of your learning network is your willingness
to reach out and make connections with new people. The EDTC program has allowed
me to rely less on others and more on my own knowledge and expertise. As a new
administrator there is always that sense of doubt to whether you will be successful in our
position. I no longer have the weight of that doubt upon my shoulders. The EDTC
program has

AN INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY
eliminated those insecurities and made me feel as though I am exactly where I need to be
and have much more to accomplish.
Im extremely proud of the fact that I have taken a larger role in our schools
technology integration committee even though I am responsible for overseeing other
committees as well. I have also become a resource to many of my colleagues when they
need assistance with technology. In addition, I have taken a fragmented physical
education department and turned it into one of the most efficient and cohesive
professional learning communities by using the knowledge I have gained in the EDTC
program. One of the proudest moments I have had was when I received
acknowledgement at a board meeting for moving our school towards an AVID
Distinguished School status through the use of technology.
Technology Growth
I am amazed at where the EDTC program has brought me compared to where I
was in terms of my knowledge of technology in education. During my first
administrative assignment I remember thinking how my administrative credential classes
didnt prepare me for what I was dealing with, and that I was learning everything on the
job. There is no doubt that the EDTC program has developed and prepared me to be a
technological educational leader in my community. I definitely have grown in many
technical areas ranging from my presentation skills to the way I am able to communicate
with colleagues. I was also able to work hands on with many forms of technology that
allowed me to create some great work that I have been able to use to enhance my
expertise.
One of the main reasons I decided to take the EDTC program was because I felt
as though technology was my biggest weakness as an educational leader. The EDTC

AN INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY
program has given me confidence and increased my knowledge allowing me to create
and produce certain technologies without having to rely on technical support at our
school site. There are many areas where I feel I have made the most technical growth
throughout the EDTC program. One of these areas is my ability to create video
presentations for online viewing. Through the use of imovie and screen casting I have
been able to take a simple powerpoint presentation and convert it into a something that
can reach a larger audience and have a bigger impact. This is significant because our
teachers and students are able to view and listen to presentations online.
The EDTC Program has also improved my communication and collaboration
skills through the use of technology as well. I now have a better understanding of the use
of Google Hangout and Adobe Connect, which were both foreign to me prior to taking
the courses in the EDTC program. This is significant because I have started using these
Hangouts to interact with my teachers when we cannot be in the same place at the same
time. I have even began using Google Hangouts with my mentor in my Tier II
Administrative Credential Program. An information society is one that makes the best
use of information and communication technologies (Ogbomo & Ogbomo, 2008,
para.3).
I think I have taken the most pride in my newly acquired video production and
webmaster skills. I learned to create short movies and public service announcements that
I have been able to use with my students at school. Not surprisingly, students in an
assembly would rather watch a short movie about keeping the school clean than
watching the assistant principal speak about it. I have also created websites that have
served as administrative standards resources. I truly feel as though the EDTC

AN INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY
program has taken my knowledge of technology to a whole new level and I am most
proud that my staff and students benefit from it as well.
Life Long Learning Plan
As the EDTC program is nearing its conclusion, there is no doubt in my mind that my
journey as a leader in technology in the field of education is only in its initial stages.
This past year has taught me the importance of infusing technology into our schools and
classrooms in order to prepare our students to be 21st century learners.
I plan to continue my involvement in Professional Learning Networks in order to
continue building capacity in my profession. I now realize that learning becomes natural
when you communicate and collaborate with others in various forms of social media. I
also plan to continue attending professional developments in the form of conferences
such as ISTE and CUE, in order to learn about the latest topics that are revolutionizing
education. As a life long learner I feel that is extremely important to continue gaining
knowledge in order to be the best educator and leader possible.
Staying involved in district wide committees and being a key contributor in the
development of our districts technology plan is something that I will continue to be a part
of as my career moves forward. Taking a key role in these committees will allow me to
learn while fostering engagement among our educator, parents, and community.
Conclusion
The EDTC program has challenged and encouraged me to grow personally,
professionally, and technically. I feel as though I have rediscovered how I can make a
difference as a father, husband, educator, and servant of the lord. The EDTC program has
truly been a much needed inspiration in my life.

AN INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY
References
Bacer, K. (2016). EDTC526: Practicum in Educational Applications. Online Master of
Arts in Educational Technology. School of education. Azusa Pacific University.
Azusa, CA. Retrieved from https://sakai.apu.edu
Muck, T.C. ed (2005). Faith in Action Study Bible New International Version.
Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan
Ogbomo, M.O., & Ogbomo, E.F. (2008). Importance of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) in Making a Heathy Information Society: A Case Study of
Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria.
http://unllib.unl.edu/LPP/ogbomo2.htm
Seminara, D. (2013, January 16) Monument Valley, Utah: Hollywood's Wild West.
http://gadling.com/2013/01/16/monument-valley-utah-hollywoods-wild-west/
Wagner, D. (2012, January 31) Personal Learning Networks for Educators: 10 Tips.
http://gettingsmart.com/2012/01/personal-learning-networks-for-educators-10tips/