NORMAN

What are the most challenging, the easiest, and the most important habits for you?

MOST CHALLENGING: #6 USE TECHNOLOGY TO YOUR OWN ADVANTAGE is my most challenging habit. The challenge comes from QUANTITY and QUALITY of technology applications.

QUANTITY: With the rapid advancement of technology, the internet offers us considerable number of hardware and software resources for educational applications. As a result, this creates a complex job of evaluating and choosing the appropriate tool for classroom applications. Practically, I cannot use everything there is even if I want to. I have to consider my students’ resources and ability. I have to get the cooperation of parents to trust their children that they will use these tools to good use. I have to make sure that these tools can be supported in my school’s technology infrastructure. I have to keep myself updated with current advances of technology in order to be relevant. There are just so much I can do and just so much I can afford to attend to all these things. I need have to focus in attending to my students’ needs.

QUALITY: To fully integrate technology in the classroom, I need to know how to use it well to be able to achieve successful learning. Technology is just a tool. It is good only when it achieves the intended educational goals. This requires certain degree of creativity and adaptability. The challenge comes in fusing the curriculum standards with technology. My students should not get lost in the intended objectives, again technology is just a means and not an end.

THE EASIEST: #1 BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND is my the most easiest habit to follow.

At this stage in my life, I am ABSOLUTELY convinced that LEARNING NEVER ENDS. I had so many unpleasant experiences that kept my feet on the ground. I learned that happiness lies in self-actualization and that knowledge is power. Hence, it is my personal commitment to search for new knowledge and skill.

MOST IMPORTANT HABIT: #2 ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY OF YOUR OWN LEARNING is, for me, the most important habit.

“Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.” – John F. Kennedy

JFK’s famous speech may have been intended for the political arena. However, it can also be relevant in education. I am the master of my learning. I must take responsibility of my knowledge in order to be competitive, to be relevant, and to be effective. This is the habit that would ensure effective teaching and learning success.