The Innovative Learning Program embodies Touro's values in the following ways: Respect for the inherent value and dignity of each individual - As we collaborated throughout the program we all brought our ideas and strengths to support each other in this process. Our professors were understanding our life circumstances and helped each of us whenever we stumbled. It is also clear that each member of our cohort is passionate about their students. We all value the humans that come into our classrooms day in and day out. Intellectual inquiry, discovery, and passion for life-long learning - Our cohort engaged in an inquiry process as we examined our driving question. We engaged in discovery as we did our research and collaborated with our peers. The Innovative Learning Program encouraged collaboration and habits of mind that will allow us to be life-long learners. Acceptance and appreciation of diversity- All of our cohort members come from different backgrounds, they have different teaching experiences and teach different levels and subjects. This program sees the value in what each person has to offer. As we learn about new tools and methods that we could implement in the classroom, the focus is really meeting the needs of our diverse groups of students. Compassion and service to society- As educators we are constantly in a place to show compassion and serve our society through our students. We have a responsibility to educate students to be compassionate citizens and open the doors to ways to serve society. Throughout this program we are learning tools and ways to make this happen in our classroom. Student-centered education- The Innovative Learning Program is really a program to support each member (the student) along a path that is meaningful for them. As we look at a driving question that is relevant to us we are able to dig deep into issues that will support our groups of kids. We are also able to try out and reflect on strategies that allow us to create a student centered environment in our classrooms. Collaboration and sense of community- The entire program is focused on collaboration. Our cohort members became our support system throughout the three semesters. Promotion of inter professionalism- I feel as if everyone that joins the the Innovative Learning Program is a professional that is looking to push themselves to the next level. We are guided to examine areas of our practice and collaborate and reflect on what we do. As we have gone on this journey of social justice, intellectual pursuit, and service to humanity I have pushed myself, reflected on life, and grown as a person. I plan to continue the work that we have started in this program. I will be going to Finland in a few weeks to share the work of a past Innovative Learning Program student and adding to it with the work I have done. I am hoping that this is the start of a bigger journey. As New Technology High engages innovated changes one of the things that is being implemented is blogging portfolios. I hope to support and be part of change and innovation at my school site; from there I see it being a model for other schools to learn from.
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When I started this course I was in my 10th year of teaching. I received my teaching credential from Cal Poly Pomona where I had an amazing professor support me in how I communicated my content knowledge. After college I spent eight years teaching in Torrance, Ca where I was lucky enough to be part of an amazing program. That program supported me in developing my pedagogy. The one piece missing from the TPACK model was the technology. This is my third year at New Technology High and the place where my journey with using technology in the classroom really began. I have many colleagues that set the bar high in terms of how they incorporate technology. My eyes were opened to the amount of tools that were at my finger tips. Entering the innovative learning program informed me about what could be done, pushed me to try new things and allowed me to collaborate with others about how they use tools and how they have students use tools to support their learning. I know I still have a lot of work to do in integrating content with pedagogy and technology. I think teaching using the TPACK model is a something you are always working on improving or adjusting. I am excited to continue on this journey and grow as an educator. My journey this week has been focused on defining the purpose of driving question and how it will impact my school while balancing putting together my capstone website and being a contributing member of our collaborative teaching team. I am still figuring out how to make my research meaningful and how to make sure it continues beyond this program. |
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November 2018
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