I have always been curious about computer technology. I am undaunted by the rapid pace and enormous varieties of new technologies out there, despite the fact that I am a digital immigrant. I wish that I knew more about every single aspect of the computer world, but I will have to take it one step at a time. But my desire to know more about technology has more than doubled since taking this course because it forced my to find out how to manipulate the various programs and applications, to practice the terminology, and to apply all of them to my practice of teaching. I was familiar with the social networking websites, and commonplace electronic communication such as e-mail and instant messaging. But this course has opened my eyes to a whole new world of blogs, podcasts, and wikis. I am now more motivated to continue with using such Web 2.0 programs as a part of instruction and assessment of students.
I am keenly aware that it will be an uphill battle to implement some of these methodologies in my teaching, since I will have to wait for my school or my department to fund and support the efforts. I hope that I will be able to inspire and motivate colleagues to leave their comfort zone and try some of these 21st century skills in their teaching.
I plan to actively seek out opportunities in quality professional development that are technology oriented. I will continue to develop the skills I learned in this class and use them in the classroom as much as I can. Keengwe, Onchwari, and Wahcira (2009) emphasized the importance of teachers not only learning about technology, but also implementing technology in a meaningful way in the classroom. I hope to develop the use of wikis and podcasts to a level, so that while making learning fun, there would still be depth and academic rigor. Students would have to create projects that focus on the antiheroes’ point of view in history, or delve into different forms of technology from another era. Students would also be able to incorporate and analyze data across curricula.
Assuming that I have all the necessary technology available to me, I hope to have students work in small groups in class as the research topics and create projects. Students will be able to do online tutorials to enhance their learning experiences. I would also like it if we have Personal Digital Assistants (PDA’s) so that students could interact with PowerPoint presentations, maps, quizzes, play game sand input data from their seats. I plan on actively seeking funding sources through writing grant so that we can have these computers and other forms of digital technology in the classroom.
I can’t imagine how much further computer will develop in the future. What fantastic new devices, since now this is all pretty astounding. But I am sure that there will be even more engaging interfaces and web 2.0 tools and beyond.
Reference:
Keengwe, J., Onchwari, G., & Wachira, P. (2008). The use of computer tools to support meaningful learning. AACE Journal, 16(1), 77–92
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Podcasting...learning and doing
I've been experimenting with podcasting as a part of my graduate studies in Education. It's been quite a challenge navigating the various steps in producing my podcast and posting it to a website. One thing that is certain, is that I have to continue creating, and posting if I'm to get better at it. This new knowledge could not have come at a better time since I am now teaching an AVID class where I will have the opportunity to use podcasting and wikis as part of instruction. Please visit my podcast site and tell me what you think. Here's my podcasting site: http://web.me.com/izakglobaltrekker/
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