- How would you describe the impact of communications technologies for teachers and students?
- How will your teacher communications systems create positive learning experiences for you and your students?
I would describe the impact as...HUGE. Classrooms are becoming based around a computer. Students these days know how to work an Ipad before they can read! Technology is, from here on out, a necessity to learn and utilize in your classroom. How will I use it to create a positive learning experience? Well, I think the best way to do so is to teach them so. Show them how you can use the computer and the internet as a way to learn more outside of the classroom. I would emphasize the importance of positive research on the internet and giving positive feedback when needed. I will be teaching young kids who will be introduced to the internet during the time I'll have them as a student and the sooner they learn that technology can serve a better purpose in their life, the better!
(This video doesn't take into account the technology being used in classrooms currently, but is a great source on WHY it is important to utilize technology)
Becoming a teacher in these coming years is going to be very different than the teaching style I am used too. When I was a student, everything was handwritten (or typed in the case of research papers). Studying was done out of a textbook, and still is in my college years and if I tried to use a computer or a cellphone in my classroom....forget about it!
Learning today includes:
- Utilizing an online classroom where work is completed and turned in
- Games and activities within to help study for upcoming tests
- Tests are TAKEN within the website
- Cell phones are allowed out and can be used for quietly listening to music and accessing the learning websites as well
This is crazy to me, but I can overcome! A big part of this online classroom is the teacher's participation. This can be in the form of a website or a blog, as well as just feedback in the form of email or discussion comments. A class website can include (but is not limited to) information about the academic achievements of the teacher, a list of students and a way for them to communicate with each other and a platform for student work and progress. It is a place for students to access the work, complete the work and turn in the work to the teacher. It is also a way for them to deliver (positive!) feedback regarding the subject to their peers. It can list a syllabus which contains assignments, due dates and exam schedules.
Another way to do so is with a blog. This can serve as an online journal for the teacher and a place for them to post articles and ideas related to the subject at hand. A blog can also serve as a way for online communication. For me, since beginning a blog, I'm in love with it! It is one of the most enjoyable and creative assignments I've been given in a long time and would love to translate what I'm learning into my teaching. I plan to teach elementary school students however, so I'm thinking how it could be used for the parents of my students. Maybe a weekly blog post regarding what is happening in the classroom the upcoming week, student achievements, holidays, important dates and birthdays. It would be a good idea to include extra links that could be used at home to add onto what we are doing in the classroom as well!
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| Photo Credit to Wes Thorp on Flickr |
Another form of collaborative learning is using a Wiki. This is a collaboratively edited and maintained website involving a group of people. It allows individuals or groups to access a page, be able to read through it and update or edit the passages. It was inspired by the online encyclopedia (which is widely not accepted as a good resource due to articles being able to be openly edited by anyone) Wikipedia. In terms of the classroom, it can be used as a way for students to learn the technology, work with their classmates, learn how to explain and "teach" a subject, publish their own creative works and receive feedback from their teacher and peers. When it comes to wiki, for me, it is much more difficult to use than a website or blog you've created. After using it for the first time I found it difficult to navigate. I'm sure once you have used it a few times however, it would be a fantastic tool for students to publish their assignments and work as a group with their peers.
Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
T. (2016, March 28). Redefining Learning & Teaching using Technology. | Jason Brown | TEDxNorwichED. Retrieved October 09, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOTEQVYDPpg
Thorp, W. (n.d.). Retrieved October 09, 2016, from https://www.flickr.com/photos/west846/2734190032/sizes/o/
Malamed, C., Says, J. M., Says, C. M., Says, K., Says, A., Says, N. H., . . . Says, S. N. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved October 09, 2016, from http://theelearningcoach.com/elearning2-0/using-wikis-for-elearning/
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