Learning Manifesto
When I first began teaching, I developed a love and passion for sharing music with my “kiddos.” I felt like I had the most magical, fun, and rewarding job in the world. I got to sing, dance, and play all day long. Teaching music was safe for me. It was something I had been told for years that I was great at. I was comfortable. About 9 years ago, I took a leap and stepped outside of my box. My principal sent out an email asking if anybody would like to join our campus technology team as a trainer. The technology trainer got the newest, most high tech equipment in the school. I was the music teacher. I was always towards the bottom of the list when it came to getting new, “cool,” things for my classroom. For very selfish reasons, I volunteered. That day changed my life.
I will never forget my first presentation. I was simply supposed to share what technology classes we would be offering that year for teachers in our building. I was a nervous wreck. I over prepared and researched more things that I could possibly discuss. When it was finally my turn to present, a passion and fire swept over me that I hadn’t felt before. You see, I was teaching at a 99% free and reduced lunch, Title 1 school. Our learners were severely disadvantaged when it came to technology. They did not have computers at home. They did not grow up playing on their
parents’ iPhones or have iPads and tablets freely available for them to use. At the time, many of them didn’t know what Wi-Fi was or have internet capabilities at home. It was our job as educators to fill in these gaps. These kids deserved all the same chances at success and reaching their dreams as the kids across town. If we didn’t truly integrate and bring technology to these learners, we were failing these kids. Every one of us had to do our share in helping these learners. My passion for helping educators was born that day.
I left this district and technology position for to try to reinvigorate my passion for music, but my new campus opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities and challenges. My passion for music has always been there, but this new love for technology and helping my colleagues incorporate authentic digital learning into their classrooms will not go away.
Digital technology can no longer be an every once in a while lesson in our classrooms. It should be a tool that is used seamlessly to enhance classroom learning and to develop skills learners will need as they development into young, employable, adults. As an educational society, I don’t feel that we are quite to that point yet. Many educators are set in their ways. They have the “if its not broke, why fix it?” mindset. They will bring a new technology device into their classroom because they were told by administrators that they didn’t have a choice. The lesson is taught, and the technology is never seen again. This is what I want to see in my building. I want to instill in teachers the growth mindset, both in our learners, and ourselves. As educators, we always have to teach towards the future. We need give our learners the tools they need to develop future ready skills. What better way to do this than with digital technology.
Teaching towards the future is one of the challenges we face in education today, but with a growth mindset and effective uses of technology, it is something we can overcome. In education we hear the catchphrase, “We are preparing learners for the 21st Century,” all the time. My campus and I, however, truly believe and recognize that the 21st Century is now and my students are the original 21st Century learners. In today’s ever changing world, we must embrace innovation by using inquiry learning experiences that support the key 21st Century skills that are needed today, tomorrow, and in the future ahead. Our learners must have the following skills in order to be successful in our future world.
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Learners must be able to ask the right questions and challenge themselves to find answers and solutions to any problem they encounter. The photo to the right is one our learners using robotics to problem solve and create a new type of fire extinguisher for a building fire.
Collaboration and Leadership: Today’s learners must be able to
effectively work with others both sitting next to them and with teams around the city, state, and world. They must also have experience in knowing how to lead when it is needed. The learners to the left are part of my WDCE News team. This group of six 5th Graders collaborate every day as they direct, produce, and write our morning announcements.
Agility and Adaptability: They will need to be flexible in thinking to meet a variety of ongoing problems today and those that have not yet been presented
Effective Oral and Written Communicators: Learners need opportunities practice communicating clearly and concisely. This learner is graduating our Dual-Language program. As part of her final project, she face-timed with her teacher’s brother that is in Central Mexico. She was able to use authentic technology to practice her oral communication skills.
Access and Analyze Information:
They will need to know how to access information and analyze it for relevance and accuracy. A multi-aged group of learners is seen analyzing a set of directions to get help in assembling their robotics creation.
Curiosity and Imagination: As educators, we must spark their imagination and creativity. This will result in a generation whose empathy will make significant
impact for others. In art class, learners experimented with flashlights and camera shutter speeds to see what kind of creative shapes they could create, both individually and in small groups.
Leadership and Responsibility: Learners must demonstrate
integrity and citizenship qualities that reflect their best self and act responsibly with the interests of the larger community in mind. Here you see my news crew all standing for the pledge alongside out Principal and Assistant Principal. They are never on camera for this part of announcements, yet they always show their leadership and respect.
My campus is well on its way to what I feel a truly integrated digital learning environment should look like. We are far from perfect, and must figure out a way to bring every educator and learner on board no matter what their skill level may be. Every person in our building is capable of learning something new. Every person in our building is capable of extraordinary things. But in order to make waves in the world of education, we must all find our way together.