Angélica Padrón
Learning Manifesto
A written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer.
When I ask myself, "What is my learning manifesto?" I find a plethora of reasons, declarations, goals, and even frustrations that go beyond a straightforward explanation. I am thrilled to talk about my passions and the reasoning behind my pursuit of them in this segment of my digital education journey. I have complete faith in the work I accomplish daily, and I recognize the integral role of each of you, my audience, in this learning process.
What kindled my passion?
Since I was a child, I have dreamed about becoming a teacher. Sometimes, I used to play with my brother and cousins, “a la escuelita” (pretending to be at school), where I was the teacher, and they were the students. The day I graduated as a teacher felt like a dream come true. In my journey as an early childhood educator, I’ve encountered many challenges, from meeting the needs of all students, adapting to technology, feeling burned out, to balancing work and personal life. But this also has been a wonderful, fulfilling experience, witnessing my students' growth and development, a joy that fills me with hope and optimism. This is why I believe that education has a transformative power. I feel entrusted with shaping young minds and fostering a lifelong love for learning.
Pressing Issues
Obstacles need to be overcome in every workplace. I would like to draw attention to two urgent problems with digital schooling.
Misguided use of technology
Improper use of technology in the classroom can manifest in several ways:
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Technology can become more of a distraction than a learning aid when not carefully incorporated into classes. Students can easily be distracted from academic content when they use technology for non-academic activities such as playing games.
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Technology should enhance learning experiences but can't replace qualified, committed teachers or effective teaching methods. When teachers use technology as a substitute for instruction or when technology is used without integrating it with the curriculum standards, it could harm students' academic engagement, learning, and critical thinking.
Teachers need to receive the necessary training to prevent these inadequate teaching methods and efficiently use technology in the classroom.
Lack of parental involvement in their child’s learning process
The lack of parental involvement in the classroom is a significant issue that teachers often face.
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Research consistently shows that parental involvement positively correlates with improved student achievement. When parents are actively engaged in their child's education, students tend to have higher academic performance, better attendance, and improved behavior in school.
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Parental involvement is crucial for reinforcing learning at home. When parents are less involved, students may not receive the necessary support, encouragement, and reinforcement of academic concepts outside school hours.
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When parents are less involved, it can be challenging for teachers to establish productive partnerships and collaborations with families. These partnerships are crucial for addressing student needs and fostering a supportive learning environment.
To address the issue of parental participation, schools, and parents must take the initiative to build a cooperative partnership that promotes the success and well-being of their students. To provide a supportive learning environment for all students, educators must identify the obstacles to involvement and seek to establish good relationships with families.
What is Right or Wrong?
Determining what is "right" or "wrong" in education is frequently tricky and dependent on various viewpoints, situations, and changing educational philosophies.
Lack of Teacher Professionalism and Support: A lack of resources can hamper effective teaching and learning outcomes, chances for professional development, and a failure to recognize and support teachers as professionals.
Focus on Standardized Tests: When standardized testing is overused as the primary indicator of student success, it can result in curriculum narrowing, teaching to the test, and excessive stress for educators, students, and schools. It can also cause students' well-being and more general educational objectives to be overlooked.
Ignoring Student Voice and Agency: Ignoring students' viewpoints, interests, and contributions to their learning process can negatively impact motivation, engagement, and ownership of learning objectives.
What Are Core Beliefs?
The psychological definition of core beliefs, as stated by Dr. Sheri Jacobson, is – “Core beliefs include the thoughts and assumptions we hold about ourselves, others, and the world around us. They are deep-seated beliefs which often go unrecognized, and yet they constantly affect our lives.”
I am a teacher who believes in the importance of lifelong learning for myself and my students. I use professional development opportunities to keep up with the latest findings and best practices in education, which helps me continually refine my teaching methods and approaches. That’s why I believe in the blended learning approach, which allows students to develop digital literacy skills, such as navigating online resources and using digital tools effectively in today’s digital age.
I believe in the power of positive relationships and trust within the classroom. I prioritize building connections with students, colleagues, and families to foster a cooperative and supportive learning environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
To conclude
In embracing this learning manifesto, I dedicate myself to the art and science of teaching. I am committed to nurturing a generation of lifelong learners prepared to face the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow’s world with courage, wisdom, and compassion.
Dear reader, I am delighted to invite you to read my learning philosophy and to join me in this journey of exploration and reflection on the fundamental principles that guide my teaching practice.
Click the links below to learn more about my philosophy.
References
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manifesto
OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (3.5) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com
STOP STEALING DREAMS: Seth Godin at TEDxYouth@BFS. (2012). [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXpbONjV1Jc