The technology world- Making teaching easier and learning more enjoyable

Hi there!
It has been a while now.
I wish to share more with you regarding teaching using technology.
About a year ago I was experiencing problems explaining certain literary aspects to my learners. Mind you, this was a senior six class. i labored to get them to understand how to summarize what a poem is about. After several attempts, i almost gave up on that aspect because the learners were not doing what i wanted them to do. Instead of giving me the subject matter of the poems, they were just changing the structure of the poem into paragraph form. I was devastated.
Then i remembered. Why not get them to visit some websites on subject matter. So i sent them online after identifying a number of useful sites for them. Can you believe! It worked! So now, whenever i encounter similar problems, i search for useful sites and engage them online.

BYOD and Classroom Management

Resorting to the BYOD  is not something that a teacher can just wake up and decide upon alone. There is need to convince the administrators of the advantages of such a venture. All the stake holders need to be brought on board. You have to know the number of students that own their own devices and how many parents are ready to support the idea of buying their children the devices. The school also has to agree to this set up and develop a policy for using these devices.

The BYOD method is one that allows the learners to carry their mobile technology devices to school to help enhance learning. Some of the mobile devices that the learners can bring or easily carry to school include; Smart phones, iPads, Tablets and laptops.  Whether the learners use Cell phones, or specific device that the teacher decides to use (learning standardized devices), or bring any technology device they have, they will still achieve the same end in terms of learning, engagement and achievement. Using these mobile devices in Classroom has its advantages and disadvantages and the teacher may find it difficult to control a funny class that is using cell phones. However, there are steps that could be followed to help the teacher manage the classroom and avoid distractions.

With my S.5 literature class, I asked them to form WhatsApp groups which they did, and these were monitored by the teachers on school practice even though I set up the practice. I would give them tasks to do during the holidays and they would share information and discuss ideas without having to move from home.  Unfortunately, when the teachers left, I took long to assume the responsibility and the learners got distracted and started using the groups for their personal issues to the point of bullying each other. But now I know better. 
·         Establish ground rules that the learners have to adhere to and also lay out consequences for violation of established policies.
·         Allow them to get past the initial excitement so that they can be more focused when they delve into their work.
·         The task you give them should be engaging and require students to stay on task at a solid pace in order to complete them. Ensure assignments require students to stay engaged. For instance; set firm due dates for assignments, scale assignment for students who finish faster. Students need to be challenged in order to find their assignments meaningful and engaging.
·         You should be able to get the learners to know that there are specific times when they will be using the technology and when they will need to keep them away. It is not that they will be using them always.
·         As a teacher, you should be prepared to move constantly, look at the work they are doing, discuss and engage the learners about their progress.

 

 

 

Innovative Learning Spaces: Virtual and Physical Spaces.

In this lesson we have had to share our views about technology and its ability to offer virtual learning space, and the construction of physical space. There has been good exchange of ideas and debate on issues that has helped open my eyes to a number of things regarding technology, virtual learning spaces and physical learning spaces.
I have noted that with technology, the virtual and physical learning places go hand in hand. I have realized that there is no need to wait or defer the establishing of e-learning in a school just because the school has few or one technology devices. This should not be an issue to capitalize on but with a lot of innovation, the teaching and learning method can still be altered to meet the 21st century requirements. In order to succeed in this venture, we should dream big despite the small means we have. We should also try to get technology to many to enhance learning, sharing and change. If it means bending the rules, to change the thinking then so be it. Try to use blended learning and technology to transform the classroom.
I can break the walls of the classroom without having to incur great expense by
·         Redesigning classroom arrangement.
·         Introducing technology in classroom.
·         encouraging learners to join  social networks/ communities.
·         Using innovative learning spaces ie corridors, verandahs, main halls, libraries, courtyards, playgrounds, classroom walls etc.
·         Promoting exploration, research and collaboration among learners within the classroom and across the world.
·         Swapping roles with learners.
·         Using simulations.
·         Encouraging field trips.
·         Creating an assignments site online for the learners assignments.
All in all, this has been a mind-opening lesson. I have learnt and enjoyed making a podcast.

 

  

Old Days - New Ways

In this lesson I have learnt a number of new things some of which include; how to operate and adopt the emerging trends, how to utilize the low density labs, and how to handle one-device classrooms. Even then, I still need to master the details before I can say I am comfortable with all this.  Being able to adjust to the New ways goes back to how prepared the teacher is, how the teacher manages the classroom, the ability to keep the learners focused on the important aspects of the tasks, and being able to achieve the objectives of the curriculum.

As far as learning spaces are concerned, my earlier views were that learners had to study in well organized classrooms with all desks facing the front, and the teacher at the front and the center of the learning process, there had to be a blackboard / whiteboard at the front and this was to be used by the teacher for instruction purposes. Right now to me, learning spaces embraces arrangements that oppose the traditional arrangements of a traditional classroom. Ways in which the classroom can be rearranged to create a comfortable learning environment for the learners without them feeling suffocated by the four walls.  Arrangements that allow for the learners sharing of information without the teacher being the center of all knowledge.

In the literature lessons it is easy to get the learners into groups and assigning them tasks that would require them to sit in comfortable formations so as to be able to share information. I am doing this with a number of my classes. Some of them like the Senior Five class, I take them to the computer lab where they sit in pairs or in threesome to research and share their findings about a particular task. The intensity with which they research, share knowledge and accomplish tasks has propelled me to allocate one of my weekly lessons to engaging them in such an exercise. And to tell the truth, I see the difference. There are positive results. As far as the other methods and technology is concerned, I still have a  long way to go since the focus is not on technology but on curriculum outcome. And also the unavailability of a technology rich environment.

Writing Collaboratively in a Wiki and Improving the Process

The process of writing collaboratively, although it allows for sharing of ideas, will always meet obstacles because it is really hard to get all the people working at the same time on a document. People will always come at different times. The issue of being on the internet at the same time is difficult as each individual moves at their own pace. This prevents effective contribution and exchanging of ideas.
May be once a task is set, a particular time could be set where all learners are expected to be online. Something within hours and not a whole day should be decided upon, to ensure that they are all there at that time. Anybody that fails to be there at the given time has already missed the chance to share and contribute to that task. Apart from that, in order to ensure that no body dodges deliberately, it should also be allocated marks. Then the participants would know that there is something to lose if they don’t appear at that time.
MANAGING THE WARMWARE
Managing the warmware is a key issue to learning.  Know when the learners are to use which tools, where to access the tools, ensuring that learners do not make off with any of the tools, keeping them at the right place where their safety is assured and keeping them in good condition. The teacher  also has to be in control to see that the learners are not distracted in the course of using the tech tools. In order to do this, there are a number of issues that the teacher would need to work upon and put in place. It is not a matter of doing something. There are ground rules that must be set and put in place for that to happen. The learners should also participate in setting these rules. Other things to consider would include;
·         Have clear established routines
·         Get everyone's attention
·         State the learning objectives clearly and leave something to be discovered
·         Be prepared
·         Positive classroom environment
·         Give credit where it is due
·         Use positive criticism as well as negative criticism
·         Know the learners
·         Keep it real.
So far in my classes, to some extent I have practiced a bit of each one of the stated points above. I only need to introduce the use of technology tools to them. But this is still a big milestone I am yet to defeat. There are several things to take into consideration here. Amongst the most important ones are;
·         The availability of the Net
·         The learners' access to the technology tools
·         The nature of the curriculum. etc.

 

Designing Learning Spaces

There is no need to stick to the four walls in the learning process. There are so many spaces that one could make use of and that are effective depending on the technology tools they want the learners to use. The teacher does not have to be the centre of knowledge. He can just be a guide and let the learners direct their own learning.

My idea of learning space is the ability to study anywhere. It should not be confined to the four walls. In the various groups and numbers, learners can still collaborate, do research, share knowledge out in the open; in the fields, at home, in the confines of their bedrooms, at the sidewalks, as they are traveling, name it. Although some technology tools dictate where they can be used e.g Desktops and projectors.

Therefore, when designing learning, a teacher can think of using any available place outside and inside Classrooms without regret. Let the learners enjoy their learning in different environments at different times.

 

My Views on Project-Based Learning

I have learnt that project- based learning is one of the best ways to teach and engage learners effectively in the learning process. I have also observed that with Project-based learning, the learners get to have a hands-on experience that will last their entire lifetime. They learn things by doing them, and each one of them is actively involved. There is sharing of ideas as they work out the solutions to the problems.  Learners are also more prepared  for higher levels which helps them to meet the more demanding standards. The learners learn well and are able to remember better what they have learnt. Their confidence is boosted together with their communication skills. And to top it all, they get to develop their creativity which later helps them to improve their communities. It also teaches them some important 21st century skills like critical thinking and problem-solving, creativity and innovation, Collaboration and communication. It prepares them for the real world. It further equips them with higher order thinking skills such as analyzing, evaluating, creating and applying which are very essential.

One of the methods I have learnt, of Project-based learning is the use of a webquest. This is not an easy thing to create and if one is not patient enough to keep revisiting the first parts of the webquest, it is easy to entirely give up the idea of using it. It is taxing, challenging and also frustrating.  What constitutes a Webquest are things that one can falsely be led to believe are easy to deal with/create and these include; the welcome page, introduction, Task, Process, Evaluation, conclusion and teacher page, the most demanding of which is the Process phase. However, all the phases should and must be structured well so as to link well with each other and also serve to satisfy the standards for which the webquest is created. This is the most challenging part I have had to deal with.

My teaching in the classroom has mostly been teacher-centered and learners have had little chance to direct their own learning or even experience what they are learning. This course has opened my eyes to new ways that learners can be fully engaged and put in control of their learning. It has shown me that learners need to be given a chance to experience what they are learning and to be able to apply them to the real world. That is the only way they would feel and value what they are learning if they know that it will be useful in the real world. Apart from the Literature texts that they have had chance to prepare for and take roles, and later on act out these parts, I have not tried out anything else related to the format of the webquest. I will try to use Project-based learning in areas of the curriculum where possible.