Feeding the Need

From the survey that I have conducted, I have discovered that in order for my colleagues to embrace technology integration in their teaching, there are needs that have to be worked upon first. Amongst the first needs that have to be addressed are:

·       Being in position to access the computer lab at all times.
·       Being conversant with the basic technology applications.
·       Being in position to use the computer for record keeping and data analysis.
·       Being in position to surf for relevant information or data from the internet.
·       Some need to change their attitude towards technology i.e. get rid of the technophobia.
·       Acquiring personal gadgets like laptops, iPads, or smart phones for starters.
Before this course I was just like a number of them with only the basic computer knowledge. I had an added advantage that I was a proud owner of a laptop and a smart phone, gadgets that have been handy throughout my journey of staff development.
When I started the course I was cautiously feeling my way. Slowly by slowly I got to learn more about computers through the following steps;
·       Identifying and having a professional learning goal.
·       I have created a blog in which I have shared my experiences in the course.
·       Exploring and joining social media.
·       I have surfed for relevant professional development information from the websites.
·       I have created my personal learning network.
·       I have learnt to contribute to a discussion online.
·       I have learnt to join a wiki discussion and to contribute to it.
·       Finding Video resources on teacher professional development and professional learning goals on YouTube.
·       I have created my own YouTube channel to which I posted teacher professional development videos from YouTube for further viewing.
·       I have also created a diigo account on which I have bookmarked the teacher professional development sites and blogs that I intend to revisit.
·       I have learnt to upload documents.
Using the knowledge that I have acquired this far and the gadgets that I have, I am in position to take up the challenge as an isolated teacher in a school to teach and help my colleagues to acquire the above information and skills. That would be the starting point for me to give them the basic technology information and skills as I also encourage them to acquire their personal technology devices. It may not be easy for individuals to have constant access to the internet because of the cost involved in being connected throughout.  However, once the project starts, it would not be difficult for the school administration to render its support and also to solicit support from the ministry of Education since the whole issue is to improve Education through Technology integration.

                                                   

Trawling the Net

As a student of CCTI seeking professional development, I no longer feel lost as I did before. At first I was scared of technology, but now I have an idea where to go for any information concerning my professional development. I know what sites and blogs to visit for information and I know how to bookmark sites that I would wish to revisit.

However, I still feel timid and hold back when it comes to sparking off discussion of any kind. I still need to feel the ropes. I have tried to give my comments on certain issues once in a while. My PLN has given me insight into some of the most popular tools that could be used by both students and teachers in the teaching and learning process. It has helped me with solutions to some controversial issues and also suggested tools that promote my professional learning goals and development. I have visited sites and blogs that have been very informative and mind-opening. I have engaged in discussions with my collaborative group members, and I have bookmarked sites and blogs that have been key in my professional learning and development and I intend to revisit them and share them with my colleagues at the work place.
The power of collaboration includes:

·        sharing new ideas and strategies.

·         learning to work together and ease the load that would have been cumbersome if dealt with by an individual.

·        helping each other out in case of a problem. 

Collaboration is not without pitfalls and some of them include;
·        getting the group members to move at the same pace is frustrating.
·        the silence of some members may be quite  disconcerting.  
·         It takes more than the necessary time to make the decisions for what to include or not to include, or who is to handle what aspect of a task.
·        lack of access to the Net and the high expenditure on Internet bundles may delay contact
·        lack of tools to work with i.e laptops, desktops, or iPads etc.
·        other commitments.

With the Wiki page, the following are the advantages;

·        It is easy to work on a wiki and to contribute to it.

·        ability to share with others openly any ideas that you wish to share

·        the feeling that you are adding something of value to an important discussion that will be viewed by others.

The disadvantages include;
·        the fact that anyone can alter what you have put down and distort the meaning of what you wanted to put across.
·        when you miss the link that gives you access to it, you may never be in position to post any input to it.

 

Sharing is Caring

My journey through professional development with technology is still continuing. Here I am once again to share with you what I think is the value of being a content curator as opposed to being a content consumer. After visiting some sites such as http://www.bethkanker.org/, http://debbiefuco.blogspot.co/, http://ezinearticles.com/, http://www.bogdanfiedur.info/c and looking at the pros and cons of bookmarking and content curation these are some of the values of being a content curator as opposed to content consumer

1. A content curator gets to be conversant with the most quality information on the web, gets the best out of it unlike a content consumer whose focus is not on quality.  

2.  A curator visits so many sites and sets up pages that others follow on certain topics. This makes him a master at these topics because of the experience he eventually is looked at as an authority on an issue or topic, which is not the case with a content consumer whose only task is to view, read and get informed.  

3. Whereas a content curator captures attention because of the quality of his work, the content consumer does not put emphasis on quality.

Curation requires a lot of time, attention and focus. The act of curation itself is not as frightening as the fact that I have to face an ocean of sites and be overwhelmed with the information on the web. Curation softens the frustration as it offers you chance to view sites at leisure without fearing that you may not access the site again if there is need to revisit it. To answer the question, I feel ready and confident about this role now than I was before.

To me, the value of sharing and organizing resources is that;

1. It helps me to capture attention in today's information cluttered world and be trusted by the learners for guidance.

2. It helps me get quality information to pass on to my learners,

3. It helps establish me as a go-to authority on certain issues or topic and I will therefore be useful to my learners,

4.  It helps me to tell stories using pictures and words to go with the pictures and become a  great teacher who inspires my learners to engage in various activities online.

5. It gives me a chance to collect, publish and share content from the web not only with my learners but with the entire populace on the web.

I would strongly recommend content curation to new users of technology because of the ease, the high value and quality content it offers.

Margaret Serabidde's video: Is it better at the Movies?

Margaret Serabidde playlist

Smart Workers Network

                                               Smart Workers Network.
At this point I feel I am a smarter learner than I was before I was introduced to the course. I have learnt quite a lot to justify calling myself a smarter learner.

I have joined two social media networks, that is Google+ and twitter where I have been exposed to the goodness of technology. In the past, when a person would talk of Google+ or twitter, I would look on like a fool and would refrain from any comments. Now, I am smarter. I know what the two social medias are all about.

By joining the above two social medias, I have learnt to access information that is valuable to my professional development as well as for my students' learning process. I have encountered tools that are not only valuable but would also ease my work and help me achieve professional development. These social media networks have taught me that I could achieve quite a lot with minimum effort.

Through Twitter and Google+ I have made my own personal learning network. I have connected with other people in my line of interest and I intend to follow their blogs.   I have also learnt that to benefit fully from these social networks, I need to leave comments or even start discussions in order to keep growing my professional learning network. It is not just a matter of joining but I need to be a part of the social media network myself and make my own contribution so as to get people to follow me.

Google and twitter have been very helpful in suggesting some of the tools and resources that I could use to get what I needed.  Social media offers tools/ways  for people to interact, find out their problems and together look for solutions to their problems. In this respect, social media has helped me to find blogs and resources that would enhance my professional development.

My next steps towards achieving my professional learning goal include;

• learning how to upload videos
• learning to make slides
• how to use social bookmarking resources

Professional Development with Technology

I have learnt that while I possessed little knowledge of technology, I thought I knew everything I needed to know. I have learnt quite a lot in this course that I am surprised I knew very little. What I thought was enough for me was actually not enough. I was limiting my chances of learning easier means of accessing information and developing professionally. I believe there are others out there who are like that.

This program explores a number of learning opportunities that are geared towards improving technology literacy, knowledge deepening, and knowledge creation skills. I have advanced a step or two in technology and I hope to learn more by the end of the entire course.

As Jane Hart says, " jump in" and be part of the social web and get introduced to a "knowledge deepening experience". The social web introduces a person to the knowledge deepening experience that enhances their understanding of technology while at the same time offering them an opportunity to develop their technology skills.

The rate at which technology is advancing requires better learning tools than physical interaction alone which  is bound to delay a person's professional development and acquisition of knowledge. The inventors of the technology/medias are moving at a fast rate coming up with new inventions now and then, and need an equally fast audience/learners. The more reason why Hart's invitation to "jump in" and join the social web is very significant because the social web sets a pace to match that of the inventions. It brings the person up to speed and helps them to keep abreast of the latest/newest inventions.

However, as seen in the topic, "Factors influencing progress with technology", the entire setup does not go without hurdles. Some of the factors discussed in the above mentioned topic would still have an influence at whatever stage of technology advancement. For instance, the financial aspect and having to keep pace with the latest/newest inventions. In the face of all hurdles, a person should maintain positivity. It is only through having a positive attitude that technology will fully be embraced. Transformation into digital citizens is the way to go now so we should move with the times in order to promote social development and improve economic productivity.

I intend to fully utilize any given chance to explore and learn more so as to improve and advance my technology status. In the same way, I intend to apply what I learn to helping my students in their learning process so that they get to a level where they are equipped with skills of "problem solving, communication, collaboration, experimentation, critical thinking and creative expression" as expressed in knowledge creation approach.

Thanks for reading this. I hope it benefits you. I invite my tutor and the group members to make comments