Doyna Johnston
Learning Manifesto
In the beginning was the Word (excerpt from the Gospel of John 1:1)
The word, whether spoken or written, is one of the most genuine demonstrations where the ingenuity of the human mind shows off its intelligence and critical thinking. Since my early childhood, I have been captivated by the usage of words, primarily written ones. Therefore, one of my passions has been teaching my elementary students the gift and power of words through written compositions. Helping to develop my students' critical thinking through written composition is a task that encourages me to continue to plan courses that emphasize the potential of free expression of opinion in pursuit of reflective search purposes.
Written language is a powerful tool for several reasons. It allows us to record and store ideas, knowledge, and information, advancing human understanding over time. It also enables communication across distance and time, allowing us to share ideas, feelings, instructions, and complex concepts. In the global education landscape, written language is the cornerstone of educational systems, empowering independent inquiry and critical thinking. As educators and parents, we hold the key to unlocking this power in our young scholars.
The importance of written language in promoting intellectual development is not just relevant but urgent in our rapidly changing A.I. virtual world. Reading and writing are both exercises and catalysts for critical thinking, analysis, and reflection. They promote intellectual development by encouraging people to think deeply about concepts, evaluate arguments, and draw conclusions. In today's digital age, the written word has taken center stage as one of the primary tools used in digital platforms, ensuring more equitable accessibility and distribution for broader audiences.Given these compelling reasons, educators and parents must assume a pivotal role in fostering the art of self-expression through written composition in their students. Educators and parents become integral elements in the educational process by enabling young scholars to view written composition as a necessary cognitive skill for personal and professional growth. Their role involves not only teaching and guiding but also providing constructive feedback, encouraging independent thinking, and fostering a supportive learning environment.
This active involvement is crucial for the success of the proposed digital writing journals within a blended learning environment. Please explore my educational proposal, which advocates implementing digital writing journals within a blended learning environment. This proposal suggests that students maintain digital journals to practice writing independently and receive feedback from their peers, teachers, and digital systems. These digital writing journals allow students to freely express their thoughts and ideas, fostering critical thinking and independent inquiry. By embracing digital writing journals, we cannot only promote freedom of speech and the exchange of ideas but also revolutionize the way we teach and learn. This innovative approach can pave the way for a more personalized, interactive, and effective education method, preparing our students to become problem solvers and lifelong learners.
Emerging Issues
Among the numerous issues that need to be addressed in the field of education is the one that pertains to the training and updating of teaching staff from various perspectives.
More highly qualified, certified teachers
One of the current challenges facing the education sector is ensuring that accredited, certified primary education teachers provide instruction. At the moment, there is a need for more certified teachers at the professional level.
Need to train teachers in the appropriate application of digital technology
There is an even greater need to train in-service teachers to apply digital technology appropriately to existing curricula.
Other options as alternative professional paths
Another reason might be that prospective teachers could choose other pathways that provide more competitive pay or improved work-life balance as the employment market diversifies.
Shortages of specialized areas
Shortages are often more severe in specialized disciplines, including applied digital learning, math, science, special education, and bilingual education, where skilled people are in great demand but may be less prevalent.
Several factors contribute to Texas's scarcity of qualified instructors. One is population growth. Texas's population has proliferated, particularly in urban areas, increasing the demand for instructors. This expansion has exceeded the rate at which new instructors join the profession.
What we propose
Solving issues in education, such as training and updating teaching staff, requires a collaborative effort from all stakeholders. Policymakers at the state level, school districts, and school communities all have a role to play. At a local level, school districts could take the lead in training and updating teaching staff, especially in areas such as the appropriate application of digital technology to learning objectives (TEKS). This collaborative approach is key to addressing the challenges faced in elementary education.
As digital devices are incorporated into daily teaching practices, there may be inappropriate use of technology in the classroom. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to train and update teachers on the appropriate use of technology as well as set up significant learning environments that will foster educational models promoting the creation of blended learning environments (Horn & Staker, 2015, p.10).
This approach, known as the COVA approach (Choice, Ownership, and Voice through Authentic Learning) (Harapnuik, Thibodeaux, & Cummings, 2018), encourages students to take ownership of their learning, make choices about their learning path, and express their voices and opinions in the learning process, all enhanced by technology.
In conclusion, technology enables an excellent teacher to create interactive and engaging classes, which makes learning more dynamic and meaningful for the learner.
What we stand for
Our educational approach supports the development of critical thinking in students so that they can empower themselves to become lifelong learners by applying discernment and freedom of speech.
We stand for freedom of choice during the learning process.
Giving students freedom of choice during the learning process is advantageous.
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Increased Motivation: When students have the choice to choose what and how they want to learn, they become more motivated.
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Personalized Learning: People have unique learning styles, preferences, and paces. Providing students with choice allows them to personalize their learning experiences to their needs, improving comprehension and retention.
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Ownership and Responsibility: Having a say in their education instills a sense of ownership and accountability. When students actively make decisions about their education, they become more engaged and devoted to it.
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Developing Critical Thinking Skills: Critical thinking is required for decision-making in learning, including evaluating options, forecasting outcomes, and reflecting.
We stand for creativity.
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Encouraging students to be creative in what they do enables them to come up with innovative, original, and imaginative ideas, transferring this ability to their real lives.
We stand for a Growth Mindset.
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A growth mindset enables learners to see difficulties as opportunities to persevere in the face of adversity as a chance to learn and progress. It fosters the focus on ongoing improvement.
"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education." - Martin Luther King Jr.
References
Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: the New Psychology of Success. Random House.
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Intellspot. (2024, June 22). Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset: The Difference Explained
https://www.intellspot.com/growth-mindset-vs-fixed-mindset/
Harapnuick, Thibodeaux , & Cummings. (2018, January). COVA. Lamar University.
https://tilisathibodeaux.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/COVA_eBook_Jan_2018.pdf
Hayes, Thelma. (2024, June 22). Promoting a Growth Mindset through the Lens of Children’s Literature. A Maryland State Department of Education Resource.
Horn, M.B, Staker, H., & Christensen, C.M. (2017). Blended: using disruptive innovation to improve schools. Jossey–Bass.
Mcpeck, John. E (2016, Septiembre 22). Critical Thinking and Education E.Book, London Routledge.
The Behavioral Science Guys. (n.d.). How to Change People Who Don’t Want to Change | The Behavioral Science Guys. Www.youtube.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from https://youtu.be/9ACi-D5DI6A