Has technology changed the way we learn?

According to Nicholas Carr ‘our deepening dependence on networking technology is indeed changing not only the way we think, but also the structure of our brains’ (Naughton, J., The Observer, 2010)

This argument is debatable and in fact is debated in various literature articles which in general seem to agree that used properly, technology has many advantages

Having grown up without a computer, without a coloured TV (in fact my black and white TV only had once channel that was showing hymns for our communist leader) and having not seen a mobile phone until the age of 18 years old, I would say that technology has changed the way we learn, the way we develop, how we live.
Working in Schools I can see how different learning is now compared to how it was when I grew up. In the contemporary society learning through play involves the use of an X box, tablet, Ipad, Kindle and various other gadgets. Learning seems to happen faster everyday and the use of Internet and technology has given people to learn anything , at any time in the comfort of their own privacy without worrying they cannot get to the Library to borrow a book.  Technology has not only changed the way we learn but it has also changed the way we demonstrate our learning.

Not so long back if anybody would have told me my assignment would be an electronic journal, a blogg even...I wouldn't have even known what they meant. But technology is quick, it's clever and it never stops surprising me.

Barriers to the effective use of technology in Education

In assessing the barriers to the effective use of technology in Education I have focused on the role of the teacher and how a teacher makes use technology in teaching. Research has shown that barriers to using technology effectively when teaching can be as follows: teachers don’t have the time to keep up with the latest developments in software or find the most suitable one for their classroom; this is also due to training being generic rather than specific to each teacher and their needs for specific subject knowledge and possibly training being offered at unsuitable times (Cuban et.al, 2001, pp.813-834). Teachers are also often too worried about what can go wrong with technology and mobile technology ( power cuts, equipment not working as it should) so they don’t even use it to begin with or they use it in a minimalistic manner.

Whilst the learner can present some barriers to learning when using technology such as special learning needs or limited background knowledge (depending on their age), I believe these can always be overcome in order to ensure technology is used in an effective way. The next biggest barriers are the lack of suitable teacher training and lack of confidence which leads to teachers using technology mainly for instruction and presentation purposes rather than creating engaging and interactive activities which would enable and enhance learning.

 

Value of mobile technology in teaching and learning

Mobile technology could have a significant role to play in teaching and learning as it has the potential to make lessons more enjoyable and interactive for learners of all ages; mobile technology could also enable teachers to test learner’s comprehension, knowledge and ability to do things themselves by letting them work together and demonstrate what they learn (through use of mobile technology).

The value of mobile technology such as the iPad in the classroom is still being explored and with society these days needing instant access to all kind of information mobile learning is a fast developing phenomenon . Despite that I believe it is unlikely that lecturers and teachers will be entirely replaced any time soon.

‘The education industry needs new models and fresh frameworks to avoid losing touch with the radically evolving needs of its many current and potential new constituencies’ (Sergio,2012). In approaching the topic of mobile technology influencing teaching and learning I have thought of some of the mobile technology I have recently become familiar with myself such as: the stylus pen and the Interactive Whiteboard, tablet, Apps, iPad, iPod and amazing tools such as blogging. Reflecting on my recent experiences I also come to an understanding  that education needs to keep up with new developments in order to appeal to learners of all generations. It is then mostly down to the teacher to ensure mobile technology adds value to the teaching and learning experience.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20667870

Reference:

Sergio, F. (2012). 10 ways that mobile learning will revolutionize education. Retrieved December 9, 2013, from www.fastcodesign.com/1669896/10-ways-that-mobile-learning-will-revolutionize-education

What did I get up to this week-end?

Read my picture story and let me know if you can guess :)

PPt presentation embeded here

After a little bit of research about slideshare I have worked out how to embed a Power Point presentation into my blog. Not that complicated after all, take a look at the link above :)

Here is the embeded presentation I used during my micro teaching session this Monday the 18th of November.http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/28468538

Whilst this presentation was created using the most basic features of Power Point (this was due to time limitations) following our ICT session on Monday I have learnt how to include hyperlinks and sounds to make the presentation more interactive.
If you take a look at my presentation you may see my hyperlinks but I have noticed on slideshare the presentation doesn't run exactly as it would on 'Slide view' in Power Point. This means that sentences on each slide do not 'fly in' and my hyperlink doesn't seem to work. Not in slideshare anyway.
I am welcoming any suggestions if anybody has any ideas on how I can get this to work.
I will also continue to explore further how to make a presentation even more interactive and I am yet to explore how to do this by using a Smart Board.

Thoughts following our ICT session this week

Learning about Interactive Whiteboards (IWB) tonight was very interesting. I have seen this used many times before in Secondary Schools across Swansea and Neath-Port Talbot and it has always been mainly the 'teacher's board'. Only once I have seen students interacting with the board, during a Science lesson for Year 8 pupils.

After our ICT session today I am able to visualise and understand more how an IWB can be a useful aid to learning as well as encourage interaction.
I have learnt the distinction between the SMART board and the Promoethean board and had a chance to practice using both of them. I preferred the SMART board or the 'touch' board mainly because it doesn't require a pen or a stylus to be used as a mouse.

I have noticed Mandy has included a couple of relevant academic readings on Moodle (haven't looked at them properly yet) where we can find out more about IWB and how they can be effective, active and interactive tools for us as teachers and not only. I also really like the box of tricks Mandy posted hence why I have stolen the link and included it here.

Hopefully by next week I will have time to download the SMART Notebook software and explore it a little bit. I would like to use it if not in my micro-teaching session next week then soon in one of my teaching session on placement.

PCET student

It's been a hard week.

Finding out I am not eligible for funding for the PCET course was quite harsh and a shock. It did make me seriously wonder whether I am able to continue the course or not.
Whilst this questions remains I am looking for a placement and hoping to be able to solve it all as I have found such a lovely group of people to learn and develop with :)

I have however had a great time looking for a teaching placement in Swansea with Mark. Amazingly our search was successful, it gave us ideas and I think it ended up with a placement for Mark :)

Hurraaay for student email and Moodle being back on, even if it is for reference only.
My use of Technology this week has mostly been email (Yahoo and MS Outlook) and Internet as well as a secure database I use for work to log various details from local business people and not forgetting mobile technology in the form of my Iphone that has become part of my life.
I have also been thinking about how I can use Technology in the micro teaching session coming up very soon.

So I remain optimistic about being able to continue on the PCET course. If anybody knows anything about student loans, I will very much appreciate your opinions and advice.

See you tomorrow,

Cristina