My Why
“A heart song doesn’t have to be a song in your heart. It doesn’t have to be talking about love and peace.
It can just be your message. It can be your feeling. Some people might even call it a conscience,
even though that’s not really what it is. It’s your message, What you feel like you need to do”.
Mattie Stepanek
Why
I believe that by creating an engaging environment, we can make learning meaningful and enjoyable.
How
Using 21st-century learning tools, ePortfolios, and following COVA principles (ownership, choice, and voice).
What
The result is motivated self-conducted learners with digital skills capable of creating, collaborating, reflecting, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
When looking forward to making a significant and long-lasting change in any organization, we need to appeal to the hearts and minds of its leaders, as Kotter (2011) suggests in his video "The Heart of Change." Knowing the purpose of innovation is important, as well as making them feel the necessity for this change, as Kotter(2013) mentions in his video "Leading Change: Establish a Sense of Urgency ."
Applying these ideas to my Innovation Plan, I target to appeal to the hearts of the leaders in my organization with my personal story, as I show in my Call to Action Video.
Going back to school has been my dream for a long time, but I postponed it due to budget, lack of self-confidence, or a busy schedule. As an educator, I have seen a lack of motivation among students, so I felt a sense of urgency to return to school. I realized that if I wanted to make a difference in my life and students, I needed to change my priorities immediately. I registered for my master's degree and started the ADL (Applied Digital Learning) program. I am learning through innovative ways that keep me engaged all the time.
My dream became a reality. Now, I have a new dream: I believe that I can provide innovative tools to motivate students and make their schooling meaningful and enjoyable (why). Creating significant learning environments that integrate technology will keep students engaged.
With modern learning tools like ePortfolios, students will develop skills like ownership, reflection, and collaboration. One of my first assignments in the ADL program was to create an ePortfolio, and it has been one of my best learning experiences that motivated me to go into more profound research. The students deserve to enjoy this process (How). That is the reason for my Innovation Plan.
If we guide our students to take ownership and find purpose in their learning, the result (What) will be self-conducted, motivated learners with digital skills for the future and capable of making meaningful connections.
Living in a constantly changing world urges us to innovate how we teach our students. They deserve to acquire the 21st-century skills that will prepare them for the future. What are we waiting for? It is time to innovate.
References
Kotter, J. (2011, March, 23). The heart of change. [video file].
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NKti9MyAAw
Kotter, J. (2013, August, 15). Leading change: Establish a sense of urgency. [video file].
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yfrj2Y9IlI
Sinek, S. (2014, March, 3). Start with why: Ted talk short edited. [video file].
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPYeCltXpxw
Quotefancy (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2023, from https://quotefancy.com/quote/1428333/Mattie-Stepanek-A-heartsong-doesn-t-have-to-be-a-song-in-your-heart-It-doesn-t-have-to-be