Title: Deep Learning, Innovation, and Tech in My Gym and School

As a PE teacher and athletic director at a KIPP primary school, the ideas in these articles hit close to home. Fullan and Langworthy’s writing on deep learning helped me reflect on how much more powerful learning becomes when students take ownership and when technology is used to unlock real-world, collaborative problem-solving. In my classroom and after-school programs, I’ve seen how students light up when they’re actively engaged, whether they’re creating digital fitness logs, leading a group warm-up, or using tablets to track personal goals. These are small steps, but they show how learning shifts when it becomes more student-driven.

Bloom’s Taxonomy reminded me to keep pushing students beyond just remembering or doing what I ask. Whether we’re learning the rules of flag football or analyzing movement in dance, I want my kids to reach those higher levels, applying, analyzing, and even evaluating their performance. I also think about this with my co-workers. Not everyone is at the same place with technology. Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations helped me put language to something I already feel: I tend to be an early adopter when it comes to trying new tools (especially ones that help with data or make fitness more interactive). However, some of my coworkers are more hesitant. I don’t believe that means they don’t care; it means they may need a different kind of support.

Hobbs’ article on digital and media literacy brought it home for me. Our students, especially those in underserved communities, deserve the skills to navigate the digital world critically. I try to sneak this in, even during PE, like when we analyze fitness influencers or viral sports videos. It’s all connected. Kuhn’s idea of connecting depth and balance helped me realize that even in a fast-paced environment like PE, there’s room for both challenge and reflection. We need to be intentional about how we frame it.

Overall, these articles gave me a framework for the work I’m already trying to do—and a reminder that innovation doesn’t always mean flashy tech. Sometimes it just means rethinking how we teach, who we empower, and how we grow together. Whether I’m coaching, leading a team of educators, or mentoring student-athletes, these theories will continue to shape how I show up as a leader and educator.