My Teaching Philosophy
Technology has the power to open the door to learning for students who may have struggled with traditional teaching models and methodologies. Teaching with technology can be a catalyst to empower students to meet their full learning potential. This symbiotic relationship is woven through my story and has deep, personal meaning.
As a daughter, sister, aunt, and granddaughter of teachers, encouraging, supporting, guiding, and mentoring others has been at the core of my values. It has been part of my pathway to Thompson Rivers University. One of my earliest memories that created the foundation of my teaching philosophy and understanding of the impact technology can have on a learner was a moment that I witnessed, which opened the world to a non-communicative young girl with cerebral palsy.
My mom taught at Vancouver Community College and worked in the campus’s Early Childhood Education Centre in the early 1980s. Most of her students had cognitive barriers to learning and communicating. One of her young students, Melissa, who was around seven years of age and non-verbal, appeared to be trying to communicate, although she had not developed any vocal sounds.
My mom had recently been introduced to the bliss symbols at a conference she had attended. Bliss Boards were developed a decade or so before this time; however, she could not find one in the Vancouver area. She and my dad built a rudimentary Bliss Board for the young student. There were only about six or so large buttons which provided the audio sound for each of the words (yes, no, hungry, tired, pain, and happy). The Bliss Board provided Melissa with the ability to communicate, and she didn’t stop. Melissa continued to learn, finished postsecondary and attended UBC, where she completed a degree in writing. This story is my touchstone and, for me, demonstrates the symbiotic relationship between teaching and technology and providing accessibility to learning.
My belief is that technology in teaching must be thoughtful, ethical, and inclusive, as well as provide a safe and supportive environment for learners. This framework will guide me in applying technology in the classroom in a way that will aid my learners. This framework provides me with a means to measure if an application aligns with the needs of my students.
Many of my students have either not been to school for many years or may have had negative experiences in school. Typically, my students come from lower socio-economic backgrounds and may have lacked the opportunities that many other students in urban areas have. Often, my students have limited experience using technology in a learning environment. Using technology in the classroom must be tempered with patience, clarity, and a pace where the learner feels capable and comfortable. I am responsible for ensuring that the use of technology in the classroom fosters confidence and curiosity in my students.
Technology is rapidly changing and providing new ways and new things to learn. I am committed to continuous improvement by staying current with technological advancements and honing my teaching methods to ensure the best possible learning experience for my students. I am mindful that technology must be ethical and provide an authentic learning environment and not one of convenience.
In conclusion, my teaching philosophy is centered around using technology to enable adults to become independent and empowered learners who are curious and open to incorporating innovation and technology into their learning. I will create a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment for my students that fosters a desire and security for them to want to continue to learn!