My Philosophy

"We are currently preparing students for jobs that don't yet exist, using technologies that haven't been invented in order to solve problems we don't even know are problems yet."

As an educator, it is imperative to note not only the benefits of using technology in the classroom, but the necessity. I believe it is the responsibility of educators to ensure the best approaches to teaching content and that includes looking into technological simulations. As the use of technology becomes more crucial to all career fields, it is our responsibility to allow for the creation, exposure, and use of technological advances. Using technology not to simply substitute, but to expand student learning to means outside the classroom, allows for a transformative learning experience that can be built upon and grown constantly (SAMR).

When I first began teaching in the elementary setting, my 4th grade classroom had four desktop student computers, three of which didn’t work. When I moved to a larger district, all of a sudden I had a class set of laptops that I wasn’t sure how to properly utilize. I also wasn’t convinced that the implementation of technology was all that necessary, but it was something my district strongly encouraged. Thankfully, I was able to collaborate with other educators. I began integrating technology into the content areas, and I started to notice specific tools that really helped my students grow, while others may have offered engagement but didn’t allow for creativity or the ability to analyze and share knowledge with others. The more balanced approach of incorporating technology with hands-on learning has blended into a classroom meeting the needs of all learners.

Using tools that offer proper affordances, and balancing the pedagogy, content, and technology within our lessons offers educators a place to facilitate learning into the hands of students (TPACK). I believe the utilization of blended learning (combining traditional classroom methods with online educational opportunities) to balance instruction provides students with multiple opportunities to learn and grow into problem solvers AND problem finders by giving them control of time, choice, and pace. 

"Creativity is the variation of a theme." Over the years, the impact technology has had on my own teaching has been transformative. It has allowed me to collaborate with other educators, utilize new tools within the classroom, and allow for reflection later as I continue to access lessons and ideas from previous years. This ability to create ideas/activities that are novel, effective, and whole impact students into lifelong learners who have the ability to do the same.

Models - Blended Learning Universe. (2021, February 24). Blended Learning Universe. https://www.blendedlearning.or...

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