All students deserve access to resources that will enhance their learning.  They should not be left behind using resources of the past that are creating a larger gap that is more difficult to fill.  Neighborhood schools that are deprived of technology are also deprived of educators that have the capability to teach students to be ready for the future.  The strain on teachers to encourage student growth and to put forth effort for a shorthanded goal can be frustrating when at each attempt there is an insurmountable boulder that hinders their progress.  How can we find a way to make this a priority for everyone instead of a few?

I believe that students should be able to attend schools that have a warm environment and culture for learning and growing the whole child.  The factor that has played the largest role in education is the growth in significance of the standardized test (Godin, 2012).  This leaves the opportunity for creativity, growth and thinking outside the box limited. We must move outside of testing and into more deep and critical thinking to engage learning and promote long learning (Giovanni, 2014).     

Along with SEL, I think the student experience should be relevant to a child’s perceived reality. The reality is not paper tests and memorization of concepts and facts.  If there is an unknown concept, allow time for research and understanding.  Allow teachers to design and facilitate a classroom experience that fosters the ability to learn in a partnership with students.  The freedom and autonomy for students to take ownership of their learning does not come from how well they score on a test, but the mindset to figure things out if he doesn’t know.  The ability to work with a peer to find a solution for a problem that hasn’t been solved, or even create a movement to improve something to increase its quality.  This depth of learning comes better with technology and the programs that schools can provide.  

If there is no technology or a lack of it, no changes in this aspect will follow.  Moreover, having technology does not ensure its usefulness if it is not utilized to cater to the potential of the teacher and student users.  “What distinguishes the most innovative schools is what students and teachers do with the technology they have" (Herold, 2017).  It is important for me to shine a light on this deficit in settings high need settings like my own.  I would like to advocate for technology to become a priority for campuses so that educators can provide students with a real world learning environment.  In my opinion, there should also be a move for professional development and a technology liaison on every campus to move forward in helping bring this culture to the campus.  When teachers are comfortable teaching with technology appropriately, the use of personalized learning with pedagogies such as the Universal Design for learning, can be implemented more easily. 

I have been privileged with the opportunity to advance my knowledge and practice in the Lamar University Digital Learning and Leading Program.  As a student and educator, I have noticed the significance of enhancing learner experience and investment through the COVA model (Harapnuik, 2018).  This learning model has been a departure from my typical teaching and learning experience of “sit and get.”  It has also displayed how important it is to allow students to get the same opportunities from the things they learn.  From my learning, I have found that teaching to the future depends on my learning for the future.  In order for me to prepare students for the future, I must be able to ensure their understanding and foundation in learning using such powerful tools as technology.      

If there is no technology or a lack of it, no changes in this aspect will follow.  Moreover, having technology does not ensure its usefulness if it is not utilized to cater to the potential of the teacher and student users.  “What distinguishes the most innovative schools is what students and teachers do with the technology they have" (Herold, 2017).  It is important for me to shine a light on this deficit in settings high need settings like my own.  I would like to advocate for technology to become a priority for campuses so that educators can provide students with a real world learning environment.  In my opinion, there should also be a move for professional development and a technology liaison on every campus to move forward in helping bring this culture to the campus.  When teachers are comfortable teaching with technology appropriately, the use of personalized learning with pedagogies such as the Universal Design for learning, can be implemented more easily. 

I have been privileged with the opportunity to advance my knowledge and practice in the Lamar University Digital Learning and Leading Program.  As a student and educator, I have noticed the significance of enhancing learner experience and investment through the COVA model (Harapnuik, 2018).  This learning model has been a departure from my typical teaching and learning experience of “sit and get.”  It has also displayed how important it is to allow students to get the same opportunities from the things they learn.  From my learning, I have found that teaching to the future depends on my learning for the future.  In order for me to prepare students for the future, I must be able to ensure their understanding and foundation in learning using such powerful tools as technology.