Philosophy
What Inspires My Practice?
"Technology will not replace great teachers, but technology in the hands of great teachers can be transformational." - George Couros
Inspiration is the fuel that drives me. Whether it's in my current role as an instructional designer, my past roles as a high school English teacher and graduate student, or in my personal life, I'm happiest when I'm doing two things: following my creative instinct to find new ways of thinking or doing things, and helping others to do the same. It is this mindset that has driven me toward instructional design, eLearning development, and innovative, tech-driven offshoots in the field of education.
Since starting in the education industry 13 years ago, technology has played a major role in the learning experiences I have designed for my students. This is because I believe in the power of technology to transform learning. When implemented with intention and plenty of ongoing student and teacher support, edTech can lead to remarkable gains in critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills for all students. It can also help students learn to be better global citizens, as it can make the classroom feel like a much bigger place, more connected to the world and the others with whom we share it. And when teachers are empowered to use technology in their classrooms to these ends, it can inspire students to apply what they've learned to the real world and use it to serve the greater good.
Underlying what I believe about educational technology are the additional beliefs I have about the power of differentiation. First, I believe every person should have access to learning that is responsive to their unique needs, interests, and cultural background. People do not all learn at the same pace, nor do they all find the same things about what they learn interesting or relatable. Because they are individuals, they need to have ways to connect with what they learn in order for it to mean something to them. When learners can attach personal meaning to what they learn, they are more likely to retain it and use it to help them later in their lives.
As a learning experience designer, I promote these ideals in everything I do. I make what I design relatable to learners and connect it to their world. I try to find out as much about them as I can before I design something, which in turn helps me develop learning activities that engage them and help them navigate the material in their own way. I also provide opportunities for choice in the assessments I give, as learners tend to put more time, attention, and care into their work when they are given choices. When teaching, I create a learning environment that promotes inquiry, reflection, and communication, as I believe those are the hallmarks of respectful and responsive instructional design.
As I continue my journey as an educator, I hope to continue to harness the power of educational technology to personalize and diversify the learning experiences I design. As John Dewey once stated, "If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow.” As education professionals -- whether we are teachers, trainers, or instructional designers -- we must ensure that what we design and implement is responsive to the needs and lives of our learners to ensure their tomorrows are as bright as they can be. The effective implementation of educational technology is just one of many ways we can work toward this vision.