In all honesty, I thought this course
was going to be 10 weeks of “how to use a smart board in your classroom.” I was
completely surprised and relieved to find out it was not a crash course in
smart boards, but rather a course in the different types of technology
available to educators and how to use them effectively in the classroom.
Initially, the thought of
incorporating technology seemed like a daunting and distant proposition. Being
an old soul, I crave simplicity and dream of living in a time before email and
the Internet. But I can also appreciate the conveniences we have because of the
technological advancements of this era.
My reservations about incorporating
more technology in the class were soon dispelled. I now see how Web 2.0 tools
like Skype and Twitter have revolutionized communication and made the world so
much smaller and accessible, how Jing allows teachers and students to
demonstrate processes and learn remotely, and how project-based learning can be
enhanced through webquests and the use of Google docs.
It’s not only important to upgrade
our tools as educators, it is our responsibility that we keep up with the rate
of change in our society and continue to educate ourselves for our sake and the
sake of future generations. More and more teachers are adopting the
constructivist approach to learning. I think that by preparing students to take
responsibility for their own education and their unique process, we as
educators are providing them with skills they will need in order to navigate the
waters of the real world. Direct instruction has its place, of course, but the
more we embrace new and diverse methods of learning, the more well-rounded our
students will become.
I’m so excited to discover what new
technologies will be available in the upcoming years. The rate at which new
discoveries are being made is inspiring. The world is indeed shrinking and it’s
about time. Who knows? It’s possible that through all this innovation and
connectivity, we’ll be able to go even as far as to devise a plan for world
peace.
