Personal Reflections of a Middle-Aged Man

This afternoon I was struggling on what to say in a letter that might open a door of opportunity. I didn’t want it to be the same ol’, same ol’ this time. It had to convey what I was really thinking and my philosophy of digital learning.

I recently had to fill out a questionnaire that asked my philosophy on technology in education. Although digital learning involves the use of technology, technology in education is not always digital learning.

While out walking the dog with my husband, I kept thinking I needed to tell a story, my story on digital learning, educators, and students. As we started off, my mind wandered into thinking about the three quotes I think about most often when I think about digital learning, which are:

• Teachers will not be replaced by technology, but teachers who don’t use technology will be replaced by the ones who do” (Sheryl Nusbaum-Beach);
• Technology will not replace great teachers, but technology in the hands of great teachers can be transformational” (George Couros); and
• We are currently preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist…using technologies that haven’t been invented…in order to solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet” (Richard Riley).

I decided I’d use those quotes to lead into my philosophy and began to compose the letter as we continued around the block.

When we got back to the house, I was able to totally revamp my usual kind of letter with those quotes and my story, and my passion around digital learning. In my own humble opinion, I think the letter turned out really well. My hope is the receiving party thinks so as well and invites me to talk.

The bottom line, and it has been said many times and in many ways, a good walk, short or long, can help clear the mind and provide space for new ideas. I highly recommend the process.

Now, go take a walk!