When I started this blog on using web 2 tools I knew I was in for an interesting time on different opportunities and tools that are out there for students to use and learn.
I was aware of wikis, blogs ,utube, google documents but was unsure about how to use them. I have to say that I still find myself somewhat confused about how to take full advantage of them.
Web2- Elearning allows children to engage in technology while partaking in activities that develop skills in collaboration, creative thinking and problem solving while hopefully motivating students in their learning.
The skills students need to develop and used are varied and many. They need to be able to communicate and work with others. They need to use questioning, creative and critical thinking skills as well as using the tools available.
As teachers we need to help the students develop skills that make them become responsible learners . We need to help them by providing the structures and networks that allow them to share knowledge and gain expert knowledge that is outside the classroom .
Here in lies the problem. Our school system places too much emphasis on assessment and results. Teachers are judge on how many ABC's students receive. Using many of these tools we need to forget about a mark but look at how the students go about creating something that has meaning for them. We (or maybe I need to change that to I) need to look beyond have they added animation into PowerPoint, changed fonts used transitions, filled a page, used text styles. We/I need to look at what they have created, what higher order thinking skills have hey used . I need to create activities that will engage them more than just using the skills.
I have over the past seen my role as the computer teacher in teaching the students how to use Word, PowerPoint, , search the Internet Publisher etc so that they can utilise these skills to complete a document or assignment that they may be required to do . Over the past few years as more programs have become available I have tried to expand those skills to web pages (class one), programs like Kahootz , interactive quizzes, movies, cartoon etc.This course has provided me with even more areas or places to go.
Some areas however I do not feel that I can do in one 45 minute lesson a week so with the knowledge that I have gained I will be sending out an email at the start of the term to classroom teachers and look at them partaking in some of the activities like blogs, wikis and provide a collaborative effort by helping and working alongside them.
One of the big things that i have picked up from this course is the importance of networking and as such have joined several of the groups listed throughout this course but I would like to see the Diocese help a little more by providing an opportunity for teachers to network more with in, helping or encouraging teachers in different regions to work together like two of the schools in a module where students can communicate with each other .
On the whole I have found this course extremely interesting. It has given me many ideas and areas to try. It has made me rethink how I can encourage students to be more engaged. I wont completely change my computing program overnight but I will definetly be making changes to what we do in the computer room in the future and how we go about doing them
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