Ever been faced with giving a lesson but not really feeling too comfortable with the subject matter? That’s sort of how I feel right now. Lots of ideas, buzz words and online resources are jumbling around in my head…
I will attempt to summarize the whirlwind that is my mind…
Where I was when I started?
-My conception of “library” was more or less a collection of books+. I wasn’t expecting this course to be about so much theory and have a revolutionary lens when it came to technology. (Yes, Jenny, teachers should lead digital ed. not corporations, etc.!)
-In my practice, and to an extent in my personal life, I have been reluctant to use technology due to many factors: age of my students and usefulness of its applications, limited experience, limited support, being “old-fashioned” in some ways…
-I was wondering so many things and not feeling particularly “connected”.
Where you are now?
-Well, change is inevitable and more than ever I feel an ethical duty to open myself up to technology.
-I feel more prepared to have conversations about technology.
-I have some resources and connections now to help me continue to learn.
-I would like to read more about the “Information Technology” IRPs, 21st Century Learning and policies around digital media.
-I have seen some great examples of how teachers are using ITC in their practice and considering how I can use some of them.
-I’m excited to see what connections I can make with parents through ITC.
-I still find myself wishing I could read from a book for this course. (I’ve spent an incredible amount of time with my computer lately!) I trying to drop my tendency to take notes in a notebook and do everything on my laptop.
-Overall, I can see the advantages of technology as a teaching resource—for the students/teachers. (We don’t have to experts, students can teach themselves, the variety of information/applications at our fingertips can enhance what we are able to do, etc.)
Where I see myself going?
-The possibilities are endless…We’re revolutionaries, right?!! 😉
-I hope to collaborate with other Primary French Immersion teachers and work on bringing more ITC into our classrooms. (Making use of the devices we are given and possibly getting more…)
-I know my District has many Study Groups. Perhaps I can find one that focuses on ITC.
-Make use of a class website to communicate with parents/students—being more “transparent”.
This class has introduced me to so many things, the vast majority being beyond my imagination. For now, I hope to make some practical changes when I get back to school. I don’t want technology to be an “add-on” but I would like to determine a few meaningful ways I can bring it in to our learning.
I also came to the TL program due my love of books and now I find myself plunged into this whole other world. I think one of the big challenges for TLs is keeping up with all the new titles for children so we can make great recommendations and get the right books into children’s hands, while keeping up with the technological advances. I still love books first, but I know that I have a professional obligation to keep up with the best ways to use technology with students.
Hi Jorden, I enjoyed reading your insightful posts. Being a french immersion teacher, I can imagine that it becomes that much more difficult to find good french resources let alone English. I loved your point about the importance of holding a physical book and how crucial it is to be able to look at the pictures and interact with information in different ways, not just digitally. I am taking another class right now called “teaching with illustrated picture books” and I totally know how you feel. There is nothing like holding the book and flipping the pages and connecting with the book in such a special way. No doubt, technology is inevitable but I agree that libraries need to be a hub for multiple information services. Let’s continue to build our ICT knowledge but not forget the importance of books.
Well done, Jordan, I can see you are working hard to absorb the content of the course and make sense of it. I think you are going to be able to set up a thoughtful online interface to connect with parents. I know they will appreciate being able to stay in touch with you and what is happening for their child in your classroom.