The one to one laptop program at my school inspired me to
delve deeper into what we as teachers and administrators could do with the
laptops to enhance the teaching learning process. After two years of laptop distribution, I
decided to take matters into my own hands and register for this program. I expected to learn about projectors and
smart boards. I knew nothing of wikis
and blogs and podcasts, but learning that there are ways of integrating the use
of technology in the classroom without major hardware or software was
illuminating. The experience has been
enlightening, to say the least. I am
proud that I was able to navigate through the technology to actually create my
own blog, contribute to a wiki and publish my won podcast. Unfortunately family and work commitments
have limited my ability to fully explore some other tools, but I plan to in the
future.
My knowledge of the teaching and learning process has
deepened, in that I now have a better understanding of the reasons why there is
a disconnect between the teachers and the students. I now understand that the teaching style of
most teachers is not meeting the needs of the students. The course has helped me understand that my
main purpose is no longer to infuse knowledge but to develop skills in students
that will encourage life-long learning and will help them to compete in a
global market-place, such as expert decision making, communication, research
and collaborative skills.
Changing my perspective from a teacher-centered towards a
learner-centered orientation is integral to the proper use of technology in the
classroom. Students are no longer coming
to class expecting that I will know all the answers, but expect me to help them
build their own knowledge. I am their
facilitator, their guide. Encouraging a
learner-centered environment does not mean that I’m no longer in control, just
that my role has changed slightly.
I will continue to expand my knowledge of learning, teaching
and leading with technology by accessing and utilizing on-line courses,
subscribing or accessing education journals and blogs. I have to make a concerted effort to become
more active in updating my knowledge of issues that influence practices in
education. Some of the resources
presented during the course will be explored further, such as the Partnering for 21st Century skills site. My
understanding of the impact of technology on learning has now forced me to
conduct research when I hear about something new.
Two long-term goals that I have for transforming the
classrooms at my school are
1. The
establishment of a multimedia center where some of the tools needed by teachers
are easily accessible, such as projector screen, smart board and computer
stations. I think that this is essential
for effective presentations by both students and teachers. I will need to access project funding to
accomplish this, but I am determined to see it happen.
2. Engagement
of the staff at my school in the use of technological tools in the teaching and
learning process. Very few teachers know
about or use blogs, as such I believe that this a good place to start. I will establish a blog for the school which
will allow for exposure. To encourage
teachers to use it as a teaching tool, I plan to target specific departments
initially by training and guiding the teachers. I then plan to use the successful
integration of the blogs in those departments to feed the interest of other
departments.
As a result of the administrative role at my school, my
answers to the checklist have not changed.
However, at the beginning of the course I would not have had the
background or skills as to how to use technology to share information nor how
to use them as a collaborative tool. I
now have those skills and the responsibility of sharing it with my
colleagues.
I thoroughly enjoyed this course. It was an eye-opener for me. Though frustrating at times, I enjoyed the
practical elements. It was a true reflection
of what I’m expected to practice as a teacher.
