As the required blogging comes to an end it’s time to reflect. Throughout this experience I’ve witnessed colleagues that swore black and blue that they were computer illiterate achieve what they originally exclaimed to be the “impossible”. They’ve created blogs that have interactive elements, that are informative and that provide the less knowledgeable with an insight into the technological world that teaching is fast becoming. I think this in itself embodies the power of technology, nothing is ever impossible.
"When we give students access to laptops as a natural part of their learning, the door is opened for us to do something significant" (Dixon, 2000)
Coming from a heavily influenced technological upbringing this concept of blogging enabled the opportunity to voice my feelings on creating contemporary teaching and learning environments to my peers. Being brought up with the understanding that the future lies in technology, that there is a world outside the four walls we are too often confined to in a classroom was reinforced by this subject. Reflecting regularly on the content we learnt throughout the course, encouraged additional and deeper thinking which is what every teacher hopes to achieve in a classroom. Therefore it can be safe to say that technology DOES create a learning environment that promotes our children to work collaboratively and to examine concepts further and to higher degrees. Ultimately, a collaborative classroom is a powerful classroom.
I’ve spoken quite passionately about the endless advantages that technology can provide any education system, the wonderful opportunities it can give individuals and the engaging and motivating effect it has on students learning; because sometimes people are oblivious to what is right in front of them. Without a doubt there are educators out there that have access to the technology and that don’t use it at all or to its full potential. This is disheartening, not only for pre-service teachers to witness, but also for students to be a part of. If we’re all working towards the same goal of educating the next generation then surely we should collaborate together on the ideas and concepts that create contemporary learning environments, hence the tone taken throughout this blog. I’ve continually reinforced that technology should not be viewed as daunting but rather as an adventure to a land of possibilities because once we’ve abolished the misconceptions that are out there we’re on track to a better educational future. I cannot stress enough though that technology is currently not being used to its full potential throughout our education system and throughout the worlds.
Unfortunately due to a lack of government support and underfunded programs the concept of laptop education isn’t a reality for all schools. This is where the problem lies. The concept of 1-1 laptop programs needs to be promoted and encouraged. Creating an environment where children have access to his or her own laptop, anywhere, anytime, is creating a universal student. Through foundations such as the Anytime, Anywhere Learning Foundation, which focuses on promoting laptop education, interactive, worldly students are possible. They aim to “ensure that all children have access to unlimited opportunities to learn anytime and anywhere and that they have the tools that make this possible”. Those tools are laptops. Knowing that there is support out there that focus’ primarily on developing teachers that realize the potential with technology and that’s purpose is to create “visionary leadership and knowledgeable, innovative educators” means we have no excuse but to provide our students with just that.
This blogging experience, although I was familiar with the concept previously has enabled me to divulge further into the world of technology and education. It’s furthered my passion in creating contemporary teaching and learning environments for my students. By having the opportunity to voice the knowledge that I have been brought up with, I have been able to examine concepts further myself and to, most importantly I believe, learn. I think that is essential in education and is quite possibly the most significant thing to remember when we become educators. We never stop learning and we never should. Being open to new possibilities, new conceptions and new technologies creates a current and relevant learning environment.
As I stated at the beginning of this course, the essential ingredient in implementing a new era of learning is developing an open mind-set amongst teachers. Technology is expanding, and as daunting as it can be for the technological illiterate amongst us, what needs to be reiterated and reinforced, especially with teachers, is that this technology is there to help us. Everyday programs are emerging that are creating more exciting and interesting ways of engaging students of all ages in the classroom and they will continue to be created.
Research is a key aspect to seeing the possibilities out there within technology. To create the classroom, where children are given every possibility to reach their highest potential, we as teachers need to be aware of all that is available to us. It is essential that teachers don’t see emerging technologies as a threat, but rather as a necessity for great education.
"Technology gives students the power to transform both how they learn and what they learn. And by transform we are not talking about changing the appearance or form of the how or the what of learning, but changing the very nature of what makes up learning...what has been the exception must now become the norm. Our students, all of them, deserve no less."
"Let us dare to step into the future, and stop teaching from our past" (Dixon, 2000)
Rom, I always enjoy reading your posts, they are so well written! You express yourself well. I would love to read your essays,they would be fascinating.
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading the first section I couldn't help thinking I was included in the reference to "computer illiterate"????? I wouldn't consider myself computer illiterate as I find a computer very easy to operate and navigate as I am a mechanical,hands on person. Programs or applications such as Word, Excel, Publisher, etc are very easy for me to use as they are not so involved technologically as other applications are. I was the Marketing Manager for a Photographic Studio in 2005 and I set up a database while I was there. I built it from scratch to customise it to what we required using a database software package. I had very little need for assistance from the developers as it was not technological and a structured system.
I love using a computer to type with as it is fluid and easy to correct and manipulate. I learnt to touch type in 1976-77 on a manual typewriter while in high school and loved typing so when I was first introduced to a computer in 2001, when I attended Uni for the first time, I was like a kid with a fancy new toy. No more using tippex papers!
I don't have a problem with new inventions,however I find with too much technology that is now available it is too much for people and it is taking away more than it is giving as people are becoming addicted and obsessed. I only have to look at my son on the computer for most of his waking hours in his cyber world which is not healthy.
I appreciate your point of view,however there is research now that highlights the health problems, physical and psychological, that are very concerning and if we continue to develop technology at a fast rate these problems will be there in the very near future and as teachers, and more so you than me as you are younger,we will have to deal with these problems while trying to teach.
Finally, I would just like to say (it is 1.30am and getting very late!)that I agree as teachers we need to include technology where we can and I will do that if it is required of me,however I still find a lot of the technology difficult and time consuming.
PS: Your second assignment for this unit should be great to see based on your views and knowledged of technology, and what you have achieved with this blog.:)
In relation to your comment on 'health problems,' I feel that it serves as an excuse for the technologically timid amongst us to postpone or delay implementing technology into the classroom for 'fear' of these 'health problems' eventuating.
ReplyDeleteChildren's 'health problems' have very little to do with technology but rather to do with their upbringing, attitudes and lifestyle; I think it's very risky to point out so called 'problems' as it becomes a never ending process, next we'll be blaming technology for childhood obesity. I think if anything we need to question the people who are making these claims and not the technology. If implemented effectively and efficiently technology has endless potential and benefits, looking at the future and where it's heading technology won't be refined to indoors, it's venturing outside and every day new technologies emerge that are more creative and beneficial than the last.
Addiction and obsession with technology are extreme cases and alot of people use technology (93% of American teens) as a way of maintaining relationships with their peers, which if anything has great social benefits and of course educational ones too. Technology offers the potential for a more collaborative classroom that generates deeper and further thinking and allows students to voice opinions they otherwise wouldn't. There can be negatives associated with anything in life, however we need to create a much more optimistic world and focus on the overwhelming benefits that can come from things, especially technology. People need to realize that technology is the future and the answer to better education instead of continually looking for excuses not to use.
Most people to an extent find technology difficult and time consuming but it's about realizing the possibilities that come with it and the opportunities that it will provide OUR STUDENTS with. Yes as a teacher initially we may have to do more research, or more play to understanding the technology but the benefits that it can offer our students and the opportunity it provides for a contemporary teaching and learning environment is of much more importance than any time it takes to implement it.