The more you practice, the stronger these connections become

When I first came to the United States, I knew it would be very challenging. Almost everything was new to me—a new family, culture, and environment. I had relatives who had migrated here years ago. They occupied some of my time and allowed me to eat a lot of my homeland's food while my husband was working. I missed my family in the Philippines, and the technologies like phones and computers helped to ease my homesickness. I can see and talk to them daily, even thousands of miles away.

 I was amazed at how advanced the technologies were. Kids, adults, and older people are good at using these different communication platforms. I agree with John Spencer that they designed these Universal ways so everybody can use them; they called this the Universal Design of Learning. Hospitals, movie theaters, restaurants, and schools have similar equipment, tools, and technologies that are designed for accessibility for everybody. Martin Wolske remark that Advancing our well-being through digital and non-digital technologies to realize our functioning requires active co-explorations within communities of inquiry. I have been learning different aspects of life, even different cultures.

 I quickly get along with people from different cultures. I agree with Theresa Doupe's analogy that diversity improves cognitive skills and critical thinking. My curiosity is a big part of me, which helps in motivating me to take the hard way challenges. It increases my capability of learning something new, including going back to school and learning more. Teachers are very accommodating if we need help. They make sure that everybody understands and everybody participates in the class. The most important thing is to share their knowledge with their students. And I am always ready to learn new that will increase my self-esteem and self-efficacy.

Wolske, M. (2020). Person-centered guide to demystifying technology: Working together to observe/ question/ design/ prototype/ and implement/reject technology in support of people's valued beings and doings. Windsor & Downs Press. 

TEDxTalks. (2018, May 7). Diversity, inclusion and universal design | Teddi Doupe | TEDxUAlberta. YouTube. Retrieved November 13, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI-rsKbIvfc 

Spencer, J. (2021, August 24). What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)? YouTube. Retrieved November 13, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL2xPwDrGqQ