This clip was first shown at the Sony BMG Conference in 2008 and evokes strong personal feelings. I believe we are doing our students an injustice by playing down the place that e-learning has in our future.
Created and researched by Fisch, K., McLeod, S., & Brenman, G. (2008).
This video always gets me thinking about the need to successfully expose students to learning through ICT - it is the way the future is headed. With that said, not all teachers share this view - in my opinion, this is often due to lack of confidence or knowledge.
In one of our discussions online Pomate Westerlund (2010) brought the following quote to the attention of the group;
"No man is an island" - John Donna (n.d.)Westerlund (2010) continued to state that the role of 'learners' and 'teachers', when working with technology, is often interchangable; with students, teachers, parents and the community ideally working alongside each other to share knowledge and understanding.
Although I believe the views of teaching through ICT are different to the more traditional methods of teaching, some teachers do not yet seem comfortable handing the 'power' over to their students.
Jacqui Wrigg (2010) noted that some teachers are "reluctant to use ICT" as students often pick it up faster than their teachers, and that some educators are not comfortable with taking on the learning role (or even the position of shared learner), instead preferring to be the 'leader', even if it is to the detriment of the students.
Jerry Leaupepe (2010) agrees, stating that he finds it
"...ironic that we teach models to encourage risk taking, sharing of knowledge, peer think groups, etc, yet we go in the opposite direction.", he continues to suggest that "... the light needs to go more on changing teachers attitudes and ethos towards teaching practice and to really do more of what we teach".
I continued by sharing my views;
"I agree that there seems to be a disparity between what most teachers encourage in their students and what they are comfortable doing themselves. More and more, we ask students to critique, debate, reflect and question the world around them, yet not all of us are comfortable handing power over to the students and potentially having them surpass us.
This definitely isn't the case for all teachers... I think there's a lot to be said for being comfortable and secure enough to 'practice what we preach'." (Holland, 2010)
Something to think about, from Tony...
"An interesting point, Sarah. I wonder to what extent teachers need to be able to do everything that students can do? Is this possible, now? What are the levels of practical competence in using ICT that teachers need to have?" (Hunt, 2010).
I don't consider it a requirement for teachers to be completely 'up with the play' in regards to practical knowledge of ICT. I do however, think that it is important that teachers are interested and happy to explore ICTs. With so much help on the internet offering practical advice and suggestions on how to use different e-learning tools, teachers are able to upskill if they see the benefit in doing so.
Personally, I enjoy experimenting and becoming more familiar with different e-learning tools and I have received positive feedback from my students regarding this. Although teachers do not necessarily need to have a high level of understanding, I do consider it to help; even if only to improve my confidence when working with the students.
When we as teachers have knowledge gaps, students can be a great resource as many of them have grown up with technology being second nature to them. If we have the confidence to hand the reins over to our students, they are often capable of making up for the majority of our shortcomings.
I suppose my main message? Show interest, ask for help and actively explore. Always keeping in mind, we are preparing students for a technologically advanced word.
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