I was feeling quite bogged down with definitions and what we had covered in class today. Somehow my research took me on a tangent that I quite enjoyed. I am a really practical person and I’m always looking for practical applications to my teaching. I want to walk away with someone useful that I can immediately apply in my class. I watched a series of videos with Marc Prensky on YouTube and really liked what he had to say. Without being too heavy on theory, Marc breaks down the importance of ICT in the classroom, the role of the teacher, and future trends; essentially, thoughts to guide one’s teaching. The first video was titled “Technology and the Quest for Digital Wisdom” found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnJzMIOdbxU. Here Marc explains how technology has completely changed our world and how we, as educators, must adapt. He urges teachers to revolutionize their classrooms by listening carefully to kids’ thoughts, needs, and passions and then tailoring instruction to these things. How true this is. We need to spend more time listening to what kids are interested in. Our teaching should follow their passions and interests if we truly want kids to be engaged and excited about learning. Just as Richardson pointed out in “Why School?”, his son instinctively sought out help and answers in an attempt to master the Minecraft game because it was something he was truly engaged with.
In “What is the Role of the Teacher in Today’s World?” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MpzcjhY_wI), Marc argues that our role has changed from being the givers of information to being partners, coaches, and guides. By asking the right questions, providing context and quality control we can set kids on a path of discovery. He points out that in the digital world, we are all teachers, and we are all learners. This is especially true of teachers and ICT. Every day I learn something new from my kids – they often run up to teach me computer shortcuts and they definitely master online games more quickly than I do. Not everyone may be comfortable with this, but I think that we must be humble and accept help from our classes of “digital natives”. Teachers must be brave with technology and ambitious for our kids. If we set the bar high, kids will reach for it.
Finally, in “What’s Going to Happen Next in Education?” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2owmNhAbSA), Marc points out how kids can teach themselves because the world’s resources are at their fingertips. Motivated students need just a bit of guidance and schools should provide that motivation to get students learning on their own. Technology should make education more affordable and accessible as formal and informal sides of learning are merging. Anyone can learn from anyone, anywhere. Now, more than ever, we are in an age of learning and discovery.
Thanks Julie,
I will check out Marc Prensky’s articles and videos. Have you heard of John Abbott or Ken Robinson, excellent leaders in educational change too!
Doni
Thanks for the great links!
I really enjoyed your talk yesterday. The point that resonated with me the most was your readiness to let students use technologies with which you are not completely familiar. I think I spend too much time worrying that I don’t know a technology well enough to teach it to the students to I won’t use it. I think I need to learn to say, “I don’t know how to do that but why don’t you try to figure it out.” The students problem solve their way through Minecraft and Instagram so there is really no reason why they cannot do the same with Prezi or Pearltrees. You are working with a similar age group to me so I am going to try your approach next year!
Very nice articulation of the kinds of changes teachers are needing to make in relation to forming learning relationships with their students, with the technologies, and with the curriculum. One thing I would add is that teachers are also navigating relationships with educational institutions that set up policies and guidelines but do not make provisions to adequately prepare educators for their implementation. Your description of ICT resources in your school is a great example. How exactly are you supposed to personalize learning and empower learning using technology given these circumstances? It is one thing to talk about the changes teachers need to make in relation to their students and learning, it is quite another to talk about the changes teachers are going to need to make in order to ensure their students are being given equal opportunities to succeed in the knowledge era.