Yesterday I experienced the highs and lows of technology as an administrator. For the first time, I interviewed a teacher from Ontario for a job opening using skype. This was really neat. I never put much thought into this before but I realized the number of possible candidates now that we can interview using technology. We are in a global community.
My other experience was not quite as rewarding. Our school was set to hand out report cards and once again we were let down by the program we use. The teachers did everything correct as far as their limited training allowed. This is a prime example of using technology but not being trained for potential problems. It seemed like we took one step forward and now two back. Many of our teachers would like to go back to a different program or even calculate marks themselves.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Constructivism...
I recently read information about the theory of constructivism. The theory is based on our own understandings of the world through experiences and reflection. In the most basic sense, it encourages students to be active in creating their own knowledge and the nanalyze what is happening and why. I have many thoughts and questions after reviewing this theory.
If a teacher is not a constructivist, will his/her students have the opportunity to try this type of learning?
Will teachers do the pretesting to find the present knowledge base of each student?
Teachers and students are supposed to talk about what they learned, yet through classroom observations, the last 5-10 minutes of many classes are rarely used to review what was learned.
Many of the students seen as behaviour problems are students that are curious about something but rarely get the opportunity to explore. Wouldn't this theory help?
Are universities training our new teachers to teach this way? Many new teachers I have observed are in survival mode.
Assessment appears to be key to this theory. Do all teachers understand the difference between assessment and evaluation?
My new experiences with constructism has been interesting. This year I taught two new classes. Law 30 and Construction 20. I encouraged students to explore different ways of doing things, appreciate the views of others for further learning and to challenge themselves to take chances in learning for the sake of learning as opposed to what may be on the exam. The students were extremely uncomfortable. My perception is that many of our students do not learn this way in our schools yet we see the benefit of this theory. As teachers, we need to get out of our own comfort zones.
If a teacher is not a constructivist, will his/her students have the opportunity to try this type of learning?
Will teachers do the pretesting to find the present knowledge base of each student?
Teachers and students are supposed to talk about what they learned, yet through classroom observations, the last 5-10 minutes of many classes are rarely used to review what was learned.
Many of the students seen as behaviour problems are students that are curious about something but rarely get the opportunity to explore. Wouldn't this theory help?
Are universities training our new teachers to teach this way? Many new teachers I have observed are in survival mode.
Assessment appears to be key to this theory. Do all teachers understand the difference between assessment and evaluation?
My new experiences with constructism has been interesting. This year I taught two new classes. Law 30 and Construction 20. I encouraged students to explore different ways of doing things, appreciate the views of others for further learning and to challenge themselves to take chances in learning for the sake of learning as opposed to what may be on the exam. The students were extremely uncomfortable. My perception is that many of our students do not learn this way in our schools yet we see the benefit of this theory. As teachers, we need to get out of our own comfort zones.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Technlogy in Saskatchewan Education
I couldn't help but put this on. The irony of moving forward and using technology for learning to help our students and the province no longer continuing technology assisted learning.
http://www.education.gov.sk.ca/TSL
http://www.education.gov.sk.ca/TSL
Contact me
There are no shortage of ways to connect with me. You can find me on google. Just search my name or go through google accounts. Also I am registered with delicious as dhauk19. Through the use of technology you can contact me through my email, google, delicious, this blog and soon a wiki. Are there really any excuses not to connect?
On the horizon...
Recently I have been exploring the numerous ways of using technology to improve teaching and learning. Because I do not teach many classes, the use of technology is more of a vision for the entire school. I was interested in where my staff was in terms of technology and their experiences range from very little to "must have". We now sign out all school equipment through our school website. Imagine, using technology to sign out technological equipment!
I asked teachers if they would be interested in participating in a blog to promote reading as a professional. We have tried other attempts but have not been successful. When I explained the reading could be done at any time in the comfort of their home people seemed interested. My worry is that I am asking for one more thing to do.
I asked teachers if they would be interested in participating in a blog to promote reading as a professional. We have tried other attempts but have not been successful. When I explained the reading could be done at any time in the comfort of their home people seemed interested. My worry is that I am asking for one more thing to do.
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