As I continue to read more about the growth mindset, Dweck’s book, and Harapnuik’s

theory on COVA, I cannot help but find connections between their philosophies and my

own life. In week one, I found parallels between how I approach different things and

Dweck’s characters from her book. As I started to reflect about whether I would consider

myself a growth mindset-oriented person or otherwise, I realized that I actually share the

mindset of both types: fixed and growth. I realized that when I am doing something I enjoy,

like playing the guitar, playing the piano, or painting scenic pictures of the beaches of

California, I enjoy the struggle and the act of learning. However, when I am to complete a

task I initially find daunting, I am quick to give up, or try to improve. To some extent, this

relates to experiences with technology in general.

My learning manifesto is comprised of my thoughts on how education should be

implemented in the 21st century some of the guiding principles that go along with it. I

believe that digital learning and leading and technology should be effectively implemented

in every classroom. Technology is everywhere in the real world in our time. Everyone has a

cell phone. Almost every business uses technology in some way. Everyone has heard of

Google and Facebook and YouTube. In a way, a person that is not familiar or well versed in

technology may have trouble keeping up with the times. This is why it is so important for

teachers to teach students how to use technology, and how to perform well in this digitally

filled world. Students should be familiar with email, apps, and tools for sharing documents

or files or ideas. Students should be well aware of copyright rules, ways to avoid getting

viruses, and how to avoid online predators. I believe that elementary school teachers have

to start teaching these things to students especially because every parent gives their child a

tablet, but they do not take the steps to ensure that the child is protected. Since starting this
program at Lamar University, I have developed a passion for helping students recognize

and find their growth mindset voice, and use that voice to learn faster and better, especially

within the realm of digital leading and learning and technology.

I think there are many issues that are prevalent related to digital leading and

learning in the United States. I am going to speak about just the state and national level. At

the state level, the biggest issue that I have seen is a financially related one. All over

California, there are many families are unfortunately living in poverty. Over 85% of the

students at my school have free or reduced lunch—this means that their parents do not

make enough income. This relates to DLL because many of these families do not have

computers or laptops at home for students to learn from. In California, or at least in my

school district, every classroom teacher is given a set of Chromebooks. These are mini

laptops that use Google Chrome and its apps to run. In my classroom, we use Chromebooks

to read stories, and play interaction education-based math and reading games. Now, here is

the issue: Not even 25% of these families have a computer, laptop, or Chromebook at home.

This means that students are unable to practice and learn at home. I wish there was more

opportunity for the students to practice learning digitally because I think it provides them

with the skills, knowledge, and familiarity to do so as they age.

At the National level, I think one issue is that students are not using technology and digital

learning and learning to the fullest potential. When I was in school, we only used

computers to either create word documents or power points (now called google docs and

google slides). Students are not using the more complicated modalities of communication

and expression. For example, rarely do we see students completing a “paper,” or answer a

prompt, or give a presentation by making a website or video. With our technological means
in the 21st century, I wish students took advantaged of these newer, more innovative ways

to share things. However, I do not think that it is the students’ fault! Again, I believe it is up

to teachers to guide students to take these different paths. As far as I know, the only

students that get to experiment and learn about these different types of presentations and

representations are students that take a computer class in middle or high school. These

students usually account for just a small fraction of the student population. As such, many

students do not even have the basic knowledge to make a YouTube video or a website. I am

hoping that my time with the DLL program will help me bridge that gap.

I think education has its flaws in the United States. There are many flaws, but I will only

address a few of them. The first flaw is that many students are simply “playing the game” in

order to get the grades they want. As I have mentioned, I have taught at the 9th grade level

my first year of teacher, and I found that many students are doing just the bare minimum.

Now I recognize the irony. I, too, am writing my reflection as opposed to creating a

YouTube video! This is because I have yet to take the time to learn how to do so. I promise

that in the future I will create at least one YouTube video and at least one website. If not for

this class, then for my students.

The goal of taking this course is to ultimately take what I have learned and apply it in my

classroom. I wish to share my knowledge with my colleagues as well. I want my school and

my district to adopt the growth mindset, acknowledge the importance and meaning of the

COVA model, and recognize that improvements in education regarding technology is

achievable. I think digital learning and leading has a long road ahead of itself, but it is up to

teachers and educators like me to move it along. I have already started sharing the growth
mindset readings and videos with my colleagues, and I have shared them to my students in

my classroom. As I dive deeper into DLL I’ll share other useful things as well.
Learning Manifesto Assignment (due this week on Sunday at 11:59 PM CDT)

For this week, you will create a learning manifesto that articulates your belief systems and set of
guiding principles as it relates to digital learning and leading in your chosen field.

Instructions

Create a reflection (connection) that addresses your learning manifesto. Ask yourself what
you are truly passionate about.
Identify what you think are emerging issues related to digital learning and leading at the
state, regional, national, and/or global contexts.
What is right/wrong with education and what should the world do to enhance/fix it?
What are your core belief systems about digital learning and the impact you hope to make
in your organization?

The evidence of learning will have references to prior accomplishments or innovative practice.
For inspiration watch Seth Godin's Stop Stealing Dreams or watch a presentation by Sir Ken
Robinson. Consider a Keynote (or other presentation tools) with voiceover, iMovie, Windows
Movie Maker, a video diary entry, or an annotated blog page with links or embed materials from
your previous or current work. The reflection should be a 1,000 word reflection or 5 minute
audio/video combined.

Even though your evidence of learning for this assignment may take the form of a Google
document, video, presentation, blog post or other digital format to submit the assignment URL
you will be required to use the provided document template:

 Download the document template,

 Paste the URL into the space at the top of the document template,
 Add your name to the document,
 Rename the file with your name and assignment identifier,
 Upload the file to Blackboard by or before the deadline.

If your evidence of learning does take the form of a Word document then you can simply paste
the content into the document template and complete the assignment submission as outlined
above.

Formats:
 You can use a document, Google doc, presentation, video, infographic, blog post or any other
format to present your ideas to your audience.
 Use the APA format to cite and reference your sources.
 Use the assignment name, your last name and first initial (assignment name + last name +
first initial) to label your assignment submission.