Tech Chance

My journey will take me places. Flight 565 is my chosen mode of  travel.

I am a teacher educator at a teacher training college. I have been at this job for about nine years but working in the technology department for about six or seven years. Over the years, I have come to realize how technology has grown to embrace many learning opportunities. Or it may be that learning opportunities have embraced the use of technology. Of great significance is the fact that my students, for the most part are better prepared in the use of the computer (in particular). They are more tech-savvy than a few years ago and many do not have a fear of technology as was the case some time ago. Needless to say, we have  younger and younger students entering college which I believe accounts for the differences we have now.

This situation has put me on edge as I try to keep up as a facilitator. I want to be able  share and contribute to my students’ development and not being up to date with their sphere of knowledge helps no-one. As a result I became interested in this MET programme.

I am hoping to come to a better understanding of  how I could use a LMS  in my teaching/ learning. I feel being practiced at this will provide me with a chance to learn how to develop on-line courses. The use of social software is also of great interest to me since part of my plan is to be engaged in distant education. A growing concern is the fact that a number of parents and women in are unable access education. To facilitate these learners, on-line, distant learning is a viable option. To manage the system effectively I would  like to get to know some  of  the communication tools available.

To operate effectively, I can see where having fast connection and a good ‘up-end ‘computer would do me well. This computer should be Java enabled and should also be running Netscape or Explorer 4+. Having a system where I can hear the online interaction would also be good. That is as much as I can do to speak to resources that are needed.

My immersion in this programme and motivation to continue is explained by the following quote: Teachers who are familiar and comfortable with technology tools are stimulated to think about challenging tasks that mimic authentic uses of the technologies in nonschool settings. Such tasks transcend the boundaries of specific academic disciplines, class periods, or even school years. The complexity of the activity invites working in heterogeneous collaborative groups and defies attempts to measure that has been learned through traditional multiple-choice tests.” (SRI Report, pages 2-3. Retrieved from   http://www.nsba.org/sbot/toolkit/tnsc.html May 18, 2009)