Learning is a way of life. Whether we realize it or not, we are all lifelong learners. From a young age, we learn everything we do. As adults, we often do the things we learned on autopilot. For example, learning to drive, eat, go to the bathroom, etc.  But, even as we age and the learned skills are less frequent, people with a growth mindset commit to frequently putting themselves in “awkward” situations of making mistakes, which are sometimes required to learn something new. Regardless of mindset, people are still required to learn but are hesitant.  My dad learning how to use his iPhone is a great example. 

This is why I am passionate about life-long learning.  When I was asked to be a digital coach during my time at Garland ISD, I discovered the potential to utilize digital learning to reach students. After 14 years as a CTE teacher, I am now getting my masters in applied digital learning because I know there is a way to promote student ownership of their learning through the use of digital learning tools to give them the required life skills to succeed. These classes have taught me first to ask what students need to succeed in life. Are there practical skills in my classes that will prepare them for a limitless future that we can only predict? As a high school teacher at a Career and Technical Campus, I struggle with those questions daily. I need to be a teacher who, in today’s world, is aware of how I can effectively use technology to enrich my student’s learning environment and not just teach students how to complete tasks. I want them to become lifelong learners. 

As a teacher at Crowley ISD CTE Center, my role is to impart specific skills. However, I constantly challenge myself to find ways to make learning more engaging and relevant. By integrating digital learning and giving students choice, ownership, voice, and an authentic learning experience, I aim to create a more emotional connection to the material.  I also focus on developing 'soft skills' that are essential for the job market, regardless of the student's chosen career path. My goal is to reach all students, regardless of their learning styles, and prepare them for the future.

In education, many aspects of “checking the box” to get a grade lack real-world application, something that prolific testing engrains in students throughout their entire education journey. I believe that digital learning has the ability to enhance “checking the box” with real-world application and that digital learning can positively impact teaching, ignite students' passions for learning, and help them develop a growth mindset to become lifelong learners.  An ePortfolio is a great tool to help students develop a growth mindset, and through continued use, students realize the impact of a portfolio across traditional education classes and beyond. I have seen firsthand how tech “tips and tricks” are noble efforts but are short-term solutions that don’t address the fundamental issues of traditional education. I commit to embedding technology into my teaching at the fundamental level, which constitutes a continual and consistent use of all sorts of digital tools to increase retention and learning.

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Questions

 How can I ensure that students continue using a portfolio created in class? What job skills do students need to be successful after school? What can give students the experience they need after their K-12 education? What kind of experience can students put on their resumes to provide them with the greatest chance of being hired? 

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Conclusion

As a career and technology teacher, it is part of my job to think about these questions daily. I am tasked with imparting graphic design knowledge and, more importantly, essential job skills that will help students succeed in a job search. As a dedicated teacher, I will use technology to give students a choice ownership voice and authentic learning experiences that relate to job skills that students can then add to their portfolio to aid them in a job search after graduation. Digital learning can take learning from the traditional “sit and get” approach to a more tailored technique that can give students access to communication and feedback tools that were never even possible in conventional educational settings.  Digital tools also allow for the personalization of the learning environment. Incorporating technology skills will enable students to explore and make more personal learning experiences necessary in today's world. As a career and technology teacher, I am dedicated to helping young people discover their passion. In this process, I use many digital tools to help them succeed in class and find a direction in a career they would like to pursue after high school. My learning manifesto centers around using technology to help my students develop the skills necessary to make my students successful in life.