I wouldn’t say that I am a technologically incompetent person but I am definitely not a natural. So, honestly, the thought of taking a course on educational technology was slightly daunting even though I know it’s important. I am happy to say that I really enjoyed the challenge and the opportunity to think through what I want to do with my LLC and to confront my own attitudes. Though I found value in all the topics, readings, and discussions, a few things have stuck with me more than others:
- Richardson’s call for a paradigm shift in education to match the paradigm shift in information distribution. Though I think that we are somewhat further down the path of valuing and encouraging independent inquiry than when his book was published, I found his rationale compelling. I agree that we need to stop behaving as though information is rare and difficult to attain, and focus on skills (thinking, communication, digital) that will help our students succeed in the future.
- The focus on personal learning networks and the value of professional communities has reinforced what I learned this year with other TLs in my district and has encouraged me to reach farther through social media. I was somewhat hesitant before, but I plan to make more of an active effort to build a network of professional connections.
- The opportunity to think through how to build relationships with my colleagues as a teacher leader was very much appreciated. It reinforced for me the importance of listening to their needs, being transparent, sharing ownership of the LLC, and looking ahead to predict future needs.
- Our exploration of library services and technology in the developing world was so interesting. It was inspiring to see how people and organizations with few resources are leveraging mobile technologies to access reading, develop entrepreneurship and participate in the civic life of their communities. It reminded me that I should not underestimate how important technology can be for my students, especially those who come from less advantaged backgrounds, and to do what I can to keep our LLC economically equitable. (I’m glad we eliminated our late fines this year!)
- I focused on my LLC’s makerspace for our Vision project because I know it is one of our weaknesses and not an area of strength for me personally. Two readings (Crichton and Carter; Loertscher et al.) stood out for me because they broke down the purpose and process of what happens in a good makerspace. I also really enjoyed the videos that I came across that showcased what makerspaces can mean to students and the impact they can have on their life decisions and social relationships. I was impressed, and its inspired me to work hard this year to push our makerspace forward.
Overall, I would say I feel more open and optimistic about technology, though I’m aware of its pitfalls. This year, I might even try some Raspberry Pi. (Sorry, I had to.)
Resources
Crichton, Susan, and Carter, Deb. Taking Making into Classrooms: A Toolkit for Fostering Curiosity and Imagination. Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Education. https://mytrainingbc.ca/maker/en/toolkit/Taking_Making_into_Classrooms.pdf
Loertscher, D. V., Preddy, L., & Derry, B. (2013, December). Makerspaces in the school library learning commons and the uTEC Maker Model. Teacher Librarian. https://www.proquest.com/docview/1470785948?accountid=14656&pq-origsite=summon
Richardson, Will. (2012) Why school? How education must change when learning and information are everywhere (Kindle Single) . TED Conferences. Kindle Edition. https://www.amazon.ca/Why-School-Education-Information-Everywhere-ebook/dp/B00998J5YQ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=why+school&qid=1629045520&sr=8-1