Learning Manifesto
My greatest source of fulfillment comes from witnessing the growth and development of my students. There is no greater reward than seeing them grasp new concepts and make progress in their learning. This moment of understanding reaffirms my purpose and confirms that I am making a meaningful impact. My mission is to ensure that every student leaves my classroom not only excelling academically but also well-prepared for real-world challenges and opportunities. I strive to build a strong foundation of knowledge and skills that will serve them throughout their educational journey.I believe technology holds the power to transform education, opening up new avenues for engagement, creativity, and growth. I am committed to harnessing the opportunities that technology provides to enhance the learning experience, making it more dynamic and accessible for every student.
Core Beliefs
Enhancing Engagement
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Digital tools have the power to make learning more dynamic and interactive, creating opportunities for students to engage with content in new and exciting ways. By leveraging technology, I aim to meet the diverse needs of my students and make learning more accessible— through interactive apps on iPads
Facilitating Personalized Learning
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One of my core beliefs is that every student learns differently, and technology enables me to personalize instruction in a way that meets each student where they are. With the help of adaptive learning technologies and digital assessments, I can track individual progress, provide targeted feedback, and adjust lessons to fit the unique needs of each learner.
Empowering Critical Thinking and Creativity
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Technology provides students with the freedom to explore, create, and problem-solve in ways that traditional methods often can't. I believe that when students have access to digital tools like collaborative apps, they develop critical thinking and creative skills that are essential for success in the 21st century.
Building Digital Literacy
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In today’s world, digital literacy is as fundamental as reading and writing. By incorporating technology into daily learning, I help my students become experts of digital tools, teaching them how to navigate, evaluate, and create within digital environments. This will help them succeed in the real-life world.
One of the most powerful aspects of technology is its ability to bridge gaps and provide equitable access to learning resources. By integrating digital tools in my teaching, I strive to create an environment where all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Issues with Technology
Resistance to Change
There is a significant resistance to change in many districts, where the same curriculum is maintained simply because it is familiar. This approach is problematic, as the knowledge and skills provided by outdated curriculum no longer align with the demands of today’s rapidly changing world, especially in light of technological advancements. As a result, students may graduate without acquiring the skills necessary for success in the modern workforce.
Standardization rather than Personalization
The current education model often relies on a one-size-fits-all curriculum, which fails to account for the diverse needs, interests, and learning styles of individual students. This lack of personalization can hinder students’ ability to fully realize their potential and limits their educational experience.
Overemphasis on Standardized Testing
Relying on high-stakes assessments as the primary measure of student achievement does not accurately reflect a student's true capabilities or academic knowledge. In fact, the pressure to perform on such tests can induce anxiety, which may cause even high-achieving students to underperform, ultimately distorting the assessment of their skills.
Technology has the potential to revolutionize education by making it more personalized, dynamic, and aligned with the needs of today’s students and the future workforce. By embracing adaptive learning technologies, rethinking assessment models, and providing students with opportunities to develop 21st-century skills, schools can overcome the barriers of resistance to change, standardization, and outdated testing methods. Technology offers tools which will help students thrive both academically and personally
Long-term Aspirations
I aim to become an instructional designer, creating engaging and effective learning programs that empower students and adults to grow and succeed academically. I am passionate about developing educational experiences that cater to diverse learning styles and needs, using technology to enhance comprehension and retention. I aim to foster a learning environment where individuals can build new skills, overcome challenges, and achieve their personal and professional goals.
References
Bjerede, M. (2013, April 26). Education standardization: Essential or harmful?. Getting Smart. https://www.gettingsmart.com/2013/04/26/education-standardization-essential-or-harmful/
Weill, W. (2024, June 20). Balancing standardization and Personalization in Education: A guide. Balancing standardization and personalization in education: A guide. https://hospitalityinsights.ehl.edu/personalization-standardization-education
Williams, T. L. (2024, March 7). The Billion-Dollar Problem in Education. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXosPmTQq4o&t=613s