Introduction – Mary Sikkes
This is a picture of my computer desk. It is representative of me at this stage in my MET education because this is my first course and I have realized very quickly that I am far less computer literate than I thought I was. I am a very paper-based person – I love ‘real’ books, I encourage my students to write using pen and paper (I do have them word-process essays – I’m not against computers!), and I do have reservations about using technology too much. In this picture, I am going through Module 1 and printing off all of the information that is posted. As this is the first online course I have ever taken, I am finding it overwhelming to receive information from a screen – I need something concrete and in my hands. I like to highlight, make notes in margins, and flip through pages in paper form – I find it funny that the simple act of printing the materials is calming to me right now. This course will be very good for me – I am already out of my comfort zone and I will have to learn to adapt to a new learning environment and style. Having said that, I am starting with what I know to feel more comfortable, and am printing every page off and creating a binder for myself.
I believe there is a strong argument to be made for children’s hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and brain development in relation to using a pen/pencil and paper rather than digital technology. Having said that, I also acknowledge how incredibly important digital technology is in our lives today, so I am starting this program to get a better sense of where I need to go with technology as an educator and to understand technology better so that I can then pass that knowledge on to my students. I would like to help students understand how to use technology effectively and safely throughout their lives. I find it interesting that we are now in an age where a lot of what we learn, we learn from those younger than we are. When I have a digital technology question, I ask my youngest sister, I ask my kids (who are teenagers), or I ask my students. I generally do not turn to my father who is 79 for computer questions. In the past, we have always turned to our elders for help; now we turn to our children – a very significant shift in our culture.
As I have referenced students and education, I am sure you have figured out that I am a teacher. I attended UBC for my undergrad degrees, but have not taken a university course since. I have been teaching since 2003 and I have taught in both secondary and elementary classrooms. My focus until two years ago was in secondary learner support and in secondary English. I am now teaching in an elementary school in a grade 4/5 classroom. I live in the same town I grew up in, within 20km of my parents, my in-laws, and two of my three siblings, which I love – there is a real sense of community. For the last ten summers, I have worked as a bookkeeper and office assistant for my mom, and in the winter I have two teenage sons who keep my husband and me busy with hockey tournaments.
I am looking forward to this course and to getting to know you all!
Hi Mary,
Great picture. I also like to print off the material from the course. I find it helps me to stay organized. This is my 6th course and each course is so different from the last:) Hope you enjoy the program!!
Welcome Mary! I think you’ll enjoy the journey.
Hi Mary,
I did the same double-take when I logged in today! I look forward to adapting to this new learning environment with you and the rest of our classmates.
Hi Mary:
Thanks for your observation on who we seek our knowledge from…that is indeed a shift.
J@net
Hi Mary,
I enjoyed reading your introduction. The more I read about others ideas and where they are at in reference to digital technology, pen/paper technology, and what/how to teach, the more ideas I am getting. This is my first course in the MET program too. I took it first because it sounded like the “juiciest” course in the program and I’m starting a new job this year, and I’m very busy! So, I wanted to take a course that I could be very passionate about.
Something I’ve decided to do in my class is allow students to colour photocopies from very intricate colouring books that I ordered online. I saw some of these “adult colouring books” at the Vancouver Airport recently, and I thought how I’d like to colour in them. The students who have the need to doodle, or colour seem to love them. They know that they can colour a lot of the time, but not all of the time. So, if I need them to be looking at the board, or me, or something else, they can’t colour. So far, I think it is a good way for students who need to be doing something with their hands to satisfy this need and develop their fine motor skills as well.
Another thing I’ve been thinking about is having students develop more practical skills, such as cooking, creating things, gardening, building things with their hands, knitting, and that kind of thing. And, then relating their experiences in doing these practical type activities in a digital format, such as word processing, making a short iMovie, or blogging about it.
PS I wish I had the print outs in a binder!!! I’m too lazy? or cheap? or disorganized to do that . . . but I might get down to doing it this week as I too would feel more secure with that paperwork in a binder for reference!
Pamela