Hello everyone!
I’m Sheena, a primary teacher looking forward to teaching outside of the rectangle I spend so much time staring at soon! Currently, I’m working in the Beijing timezone from Vancouver as I await my turn at the Chinese visa center. I have a BEd specializing in secondary education and a diploma in Early Years Education from UBC.
This is my third term in MET and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how much my own view towards educational technology has waffled and grown so far. This year I’m a Grade 4 homeroom teacher, but for the last decade I have worked as an EAL teacher with mostly lower-primary students or preschoolers, so usually screen time is restricted. I’m still uncertain about what role educational technology should play for children under the age of 7, so I’m using this uncertainty to push myself to learn more about technology in the classroom. Usually, I complete all of my coursework from my laptop, but there are many people who only have access to a smart phone. I think I’m missing opportunities and a large part of the online learning experience, so I’m looking forward to learning how to better utilize mobile technology and learning from and with everyone.
When I’m not online, I enjoy gardening and hanging out with my four-legged and two-legged friends and family.
Brunch at a friend’s house, a papaya tree I grew from seed while working in Indonesia, hanging out with my four-legged friends.
Im still on the fence as well when it comes to technology for primary students. I do see reasonable examples of it being used to replace other analog resources and there appears to be some additional motivation. I think that’s worth something. A lot of studies seem to mention motivation as an additional variable when researching technology. Mobile learning is much different and not at the point that it can be responsive enough to young learners. Like you, I’m sure my views on all of these ETEC pieces will waffle over time. I just hope they don’t pancake. 🙂
Ooph, a Beijing timezone from Vancouver has got to be tough. Its nice to meet you, Sheena. Thanks for the lovely pictures from your garden and four-legged companions.