The Beginnings of Internet for Educators

It's the beginning of 2015 and I'm beginning my second adventure into the world of ICT.  This course is the sequel to the course I took last year, Intro to ICT.  I am excited to learn more about different ways I can incorporate technology into my lessons, making my lessons more engaging for my students.

To start off this semester, my final one I may add, our class had a virtual presentation by Dean Shareski.  Some of the questions he asked us really made you think.

• How is learning different in 2014?
• Why is learning different in 2014?

These questions are important for future teachers, as well as current teachers, to think about while planning their lessons.  Learning is about more than just teaching the facts.  With tools like the internet, students can look up the facts for themselves.  Dean asked us to discuss in groups these questions.  One topic my group discussed was how teachers need to teach how to look up reliable sources, rather than just the facts.  Students need to be aware of how anyone can post anything they want on the internet.  Here is a link to a video I made with my classmates last semester.  This video is about the importance of finding credible and reliable sources.

 

Another part of the presentation that caught my attention was when Dean was talking about what needs to change for the better.

• Content: just teaching your students to read and write will not make them literate
• Assessment: tests do only show you part of what the students know, and only one way to assess their knowledge
• Community: it is important for students to know that it is important that they not only learn from the teacher, but also learn from each other. 
• Students should reflect on their learning.  Ask them: "What did they learn from others?" and "How did they contribute to the learning of others?"

I am excited to see what this semester has in store for my learning in the subject of ICT!!!

Stay tuned for more...

~ Miss Laing