Breaking Ground for a New Foundation
Over the past twelve months, I have lived at the BTOP computer training center. I say “ lived”, because in teaching in a intergenerational setting, I feel like I have taught my grandmother, my mother, my father, sisters, brothers, neighbors, friends, children and grandchildren (if I had some). I have taught just about every type of learner, ranging in ages from five to ninety-five and I leave with a sense of having accomplished my original objectives, as well as some that I set along the way. My students learned the material, practiced what that learned and applied in their daily lives. I in turn learned to slow down my hyper actions, keep the fast learners engaged, and cross trained the students to help each other ( peer learning at its finest).
Working off their engagement and enthusiasm, I decided to continue to change the BTOP Computer Learning Center from concentrating on the technical aspects of hardware, software, or a specific application, to concentrating on what technology can yield for the user and how it is used in everyday life. In doing so it was my objective to create project based learning that is more culturally relevant and appealing to youth, older participants and the underrepresented students. Furthermore, It was my goal to take advantage of the intergenerational learning environment that exists by training teacher assistants to become technology stewards and lifelong learners.
I’m an explorer and like to try new things. In my engineering career, I have always felt that it was not a permanent career and that I was meant to do other things. Teaching has filled that void. As I travel on the highway of life, I am confident that each exit I take will involve learning and technology.
BTOP Students