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Shall We Play A Game? Home Learn More Inspiration About the Author |
About the Author
A willingness to be open to change has led to teaching experiences in all grade levels Kindergarten through 12th. This exposure to students of all ages has solidified my firm conviction that everyone has a right to a quality education that will empower them to share their voice, thoughts and innovations. I've spent the last four years immersed in technology education, and believe that for many students from many backgrounds technology is empowered self-expression. Learning higher maths skills, and computer script languages, as well as coding has taught me the infinite possibilities of embracing growth mindset. I am now determined to encourage my students to develop their digital skills, embrace a growth mindset and empower their own future.
Joining the Innovative Learning Program has strengthened my desire to not only pursue innovations, but to find strength, encouragement and support among like-minded educators. There is great power in listening as thoughtful, innovative educators discuss ways to improve and enhance their educational strategies through innovation and technology. I am grateful to be among such deep thinking teachers, and feel very fortunate to have been able to join the program as it has pushed me to improve my technique.
Joining the Innovative Learning Program has strengthened my desire to not only pursue innovations, but to find strength, encouragement and support among like-minded educators. There is great power in listening as thoughtful, innovative educators discuss ways to improve and enhance their educational strategies through innovation and technology. I am grateful to be among such deep thinking teachers, and feel very fortunate to have been able to join the program as it has pushed me to improve my technique.
Reflections on My Journey
I began with a pretty clear idea in mind: to show the impact of learning to code the computer on student critical thinking skills. However, an openness to learning and teaching Java Script, Html/CSS and other computer languages, led to an openness to other innovations in the classroom. This led to a full scale re-imaging of my own classroom. Turning my entire class into a huge video game with quests and secret missions, and multiple ways for students to level up as they learn, has not only brought excitement to my classroom, but has pushed me to become a more innovative educator.
As I worked my way through this Master's program, it felt scary to shift my focus to another aspect of my classroom. I was comfortable with my study and research regarding computer programming, but then I came to recognize that this was just my first step in a journey to becoming more innovate with my class structure. As students develop their computer programming skills, they can earn points, and "level up" in the game framework that I created for them.
I think the biggest lesson I've learned from this is that when you are open to new ideas, techniques and approaches to education, you can't control where it will take you. You will find yourself wandering into unexpected and uncharted territory as you endeavor to make an authentic, powerful and engaging learning experience for your students. I know that as I began to teach my students the real-work skill of true computer programming, it opened the door to more innovative thinking. As my students struggled to create a video game and build various levels, I began to ask, "What if school were like a game?"
As I worked my way through this Master's program, it felt scary to shift my focus to another aspect of my classroom. I was comfortable with my study and research regarding computer programming, but then I came to recognize that this was just my first step in a journey to becoming more innovate with my class structure. As students develop their computer programming skills, they can earn points, and "level up" in the game framework that I created for them.
I think the biggest lesson I've learned from this is that when you are open to new ideas, techniques and approaches to education, you can't control where it will take you. You will find yourself wandering into unexpected and uncharted territory as you endeavor to make an authentic, powerful and engaging learning experience for your students. I know that as I began to teach my students the real-work skill of true computer programming, it opened the door to more innovative thinking. As my students struggled to create a video game and build various levels, I began to ask, "What if school were like a game?"
Lasting Learning from the Innovative Learning program
Teaching is design thinking. The Innovation Learning Program was a wonderful opportunity to really see this fact lived out - not only by me, but also by my entire cohort. We had this wonderful opportunity to consider, design, test, and redesign in a supportive and encouraging environment. The Innovation Learning Program is a gathering of the curious who are allowed to explore their curiosity about technology, education and how to best empower and support all students. The beauty of this is that while allowing teachers to explore new techniques, ideas and technology, innovative instruction is being demonstrated by our professors that we can also apply in our classroom. In other words, I can not only return to my classroom empowered with all kinds of new ideas and uses for technology, but I can also take with me new ways of allowing my own students to become curious, and empowered learners.