New Culture of Learning
Happy places can exist
(Thomas & John Seely Brown, 2011), The New Culture of Learning has three key features. Firstly, classrooms are considered learning environments that utilize digital media to provide access to information and games. Secondly, the focus is on learning through active participation in the world rather than passively absorbing information. Lastly, the culture values accepting what we do not know and asking questions to deepen our understanding. The ultimate goal is for individuals to embrace the world and integrate it into their lives. In light of the quote mentioned above, and in line with my personal experience, I believe that adopting a new learning culture is crucial for the success of our project, which I will integrate into my innovation plan. As learning environments constantly evolve, it is essential to achieve real change not only in schools but also in homes. To achieve this, my Innovation Plan focuses on diversity and incorporates technology with Blended Learning as a tool for effective learning.
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Information technology has evolved into a collaborative medium that is constantly shaped by participation. Today, students are no longer confined to their desks and are encouraged to interact and engage in playful activities. Technological tools are now available to help children learn in a more enjoyable and engaging way. As an example, my pre-kindergarten students can use ClassLink with Seesaw, Starfall, Istation, and YouTube applications, which are valuable tools for their work.
As children navigate through a fast-changing world, they rely on play and imagination to make sense of it. New people, places, things, and ideas can overwhelm them with information, but through play and imagination, children can adjust and learn effectively. Moreover, play is an excellent way to promote hands-on activities, which can help develop mathematical skills and achieve pre-kindergarten program goals.
Never stop for a challenge.
"Change motivates and challenges. It makes clear when things are obsolete or have outlived their usefulness. But most of all, change forces us to learn differently"(Thomas & John Seely Brown, 2011, p.456)
As with any change, there are challenges that come with teaching young children. My students are only four and five years old, which means that they have limited understanding of the world around them. My biggest challenge is to motivate both the children and their parents to prioritize education. The parents of my students are also part of a new generation with different beliefs, values, and preferences. It is important to recognize that both the children and their parents are part of a generation that is undergoing transformation.
Obtaining all the necessary educational materials and resources can be a significant challenge. At times, the district does not have all the required resources such as iPads, headphones, and game materials, which can impede the achievement of my objectives. I have faced discouraging experiences due to the lack of budget. Unfortunately, the required materials cannot be obtained from my own pocket, so I have to investigate and knock on many doors to obtain these resources.
Dr. Harapnik's (2015) video emphasizes a student-centered approach for deep learning. Consider the curriculum, pedagogy, communication needs, and learning styles. Integrate these aspects into teaching using innovative techniques for effective learning. I believe that my community has good learning environments. However, I think that incorporating more educational technology through Blended Learning can further improve the quality of education. As the previous citation suggests, integrating digital resources into these learning environments will have a positive impact on my entire Pre-K community, including parents and colleagues. It is crucial that my students receive the best possible education, and my project can be expanded to cover the group and individual needs of each class. By applying innovative teaching practices in mathematics, writing, language, social and emotional intelligence and fostering positive relationships with the students' immediate environment, we can meet the needs of our students more effectively. To support my point, I have included a quote from Thomas' book, which mentions the following information:
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"We believe, however, that learning should be viewed in terms of an environment—combined with the rich resources provided by the digital information network—where the context in which learning happens, the boundaries that define it, and the students, teachers, and information within it all coexist and shape each other in a mutually reinforcing way." (Thomas & John Seely Brown, 2011, p. 333)
Creating Positive environment
​​​All of us are fighting together for the greater good.
(Thomas and John Seely Brown, 2011) Talk about seeing the future as a realm of new opportunities, rather than something that forces us to adapt, that requires embracing change and living life to the fullest in a world that is always evolving. I'm going to start by asking myself a question: Is it possible to persuade others to think like we do? I think it is impossible since each individual sees themselves as distinctive and irreplaceable. Therefore, we all have different perspectives. However, we can try to unite our team with the same objectives, and values and adapt to situations, in addition to taking advantage of opportunities to make a change and accept things as they come. While there may be different paths and shortcuts to reach our goals, the crucial aspect is achieving them. It is not about manipulating the thoughts of individuals, but rather about raising awareness that, as teachers, our work shapes people. We have a great responsibility in educating children so that they have a bright future and, for this reason, we must defend professional ethics and work as a team, always taking advantage of new opportunities.
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To get our colleagues to share our ideals and have real change, it is important to demonstrate that our proposal works and that the results are favorable. not force to the teamwork to adjust but share the achievements together, we can speaking from the heart, taking into account the feelings of the entire team, also counts a lot, especially in daily work reactions. By doing so, we can share many ideas and knowledge, enhancing the teaching project and achieving changes that will last and reach our entire community.
Learning for life
Life and destiny often put us in certain situations and the right place to learn and grow. I am one of those people who believe that if you are not in the right place or not happy with something, it is better to step away with dignity. That is why, despite the challenges, I decided to pursue my master's degree, and now I am in my sixth course. I have no regrets as this journey has taught me a lot and has helped me improve my teaching practices. These learnings will stay with me and benefit my students for years to come. My research is not just a fleeting moment in my life, but it is here to stay and bring many benefits to me, my school community, and most importantly, my students. I hope that my story can encourage you to pursue your goals and dreams, even in the face of challenges. Remember, there may be times when you feel like giving up, but there will always be a reason to keep pushing forward.
References
TEDxTalks. (2012, September 12). A new culture of learning [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM80GXlyX0U.
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Harapnuik, D. (2015, May 9). Creating significant learning environments (CSLE) [Video]. YouTube, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ-c7rz7eT4
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Thomas, D., & Brown, J. S. (2011). A New Culture of Learning: Cultivating the Imagination for a World of Constant Change. In Amazon (1st edition). CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. https://www.amazon.com/New-Culture-Learning-Cultivating-Imagination/dp/1456458884
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