Week 1 - Technology in the Classroom

Technology in the Classroom

Me as a Teacher

As I begin EDSE20016, I am incredibly anxious about my ability to understand and engage with content.  Whilst I understand the benefits that ICTs/technology can have in a classroom, I have been left behind with technology and know that I am going to have to work very hard to get myself up to a standard level of expertise.  I most certainly understand the importance and value in utilising digital technologies within the classroom with current day learners and am open to learning the new skills so that I can improve my teaching practices.

When I was in school (many years ago), teaching was done in a lecture format where the class was spoken at.  Computer classes were very limited, if available at all.  ICTs were not embedded in the curriculum as much as they are now.  This style of teaching was in my toolkit when I began my Masters of Teaching however as I have been obtaining more experience in the classroom I find myself diversifying.  I have used a range of ICT tools to support my teaching such as Youtube, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer and Kahoot, all of which have been well received my the learners.  I know however that my teaching leaves a lot of room for improvement and I hope that the skills I learn from the class can be added to my teaching toolkit.

As a pre-service teacher, I have seen a much greater emphasis on creativity within the classroom.  Students are given the background of the content, then provided with a research problem that they must investigate and deliver their own solution to.  They are able to use the knowledge they have obtained and apply it in a creative manner.  The students are provided with opportunities to you use the 21st century skills of assessing risks, setting goals, evaluating, critically analyzing and problem solving which prepares students for the current day world (Willis).  I believe that teachers need to maintain currency in their teaching practices.  Students need to be provided with opportunities to get creative with content.  By allowing students to utilize their creativity, the information uptake will be improved, along with student engagement and their curiosity for the content.

Supporting Students' Learning

Gen Z learners are unique.  They are collaborative team players who want to be in control and want to change the world.  They are equipped with a passion for technology and the internet and have very distinct communication styles such as through the use of symbols and pictures.  Gen Z students have a short attention frame however are able to multi-task effectively and are looking to find unconventional paths to success. 

In the classroom I was in during my schooling, the teacher would talk at the students.  This mode of teaching would not work for Gen Z learners.  They would not be able to pay attention for the duration of the class and their skillset is not being effectively utilized.  To enhance this class, digital technology should be incorporated into the classroom, allowing students to perform their own internet research and find unique solutions to problems.

To adequately support students' learning, we must also remember that society, and our classrooms are incredibly diverse.  By not providing various learning avenues to support all students and instead only aiming content at a single learning outcome (such as academic), we are not giving opportunity for all other types of people to succeed.  In addition to this, when viewing society as a whole, there is a vital need for different learning outcomes such as artists to create the music and movies that we love to watch, problem solvers and out of the box thinkers for various job roles, physical ability for sports players, defense personnel and other such careers, as well as those that are academic.  By aiming at only a single learning outcome, we are preventing the students from falling into the various areas of society that may be more suitable to them.

One key tool that I will be able to use to support the Gen Z learners is through technology.  Technology is able to link people with others from all over the world, in all different areas of society.  By utilizing ICTs, I will be able to connect with a broad range of people, and develop a professional learning network which will assist me in discussing with others how to best support my students.  This may range from using discussion forums, facebook groups, or other social media to more formal means such as internal school Sharepoint.  Each avenue with allow me to talk to others and obtain advice and ideas.  Whilst I am feeling relatively comfortable talking to others, I am not confident that I will definitely know how to implement suggested improvements to my teaching.  Being a pre-service teacher, I am still learning and trialing various ways of teaching.  I am certainly open to improving my teaching however and am driven to improve the learning experience for my students.

Overall, as I enter into this course, I am filled with nervous excitement.  I acknowledge that I have a lot to learn however I am excited for what I can bring into the classroom.

Sources

Ratinecas, P. (2014, August 9). Meet Generation Z Forget everything you learned about Millennials produced by Sparks Honey.USA New York. Retrieved from Slideshare: https://www.slideshare.net/ratinecas/meet-generation-z-forget-everything-you-learned-about-millennials-produced-by-sparks-honeyusa-new-york