This blog will discuss and analyze a trend that is influencing New Zealand education. I will use Rofle's model of reflection to help structure my discussion.
What: Daggett (2014), Addresses five trends influencing our current education
system;
- Impact of digital learning
- Heightened demand for career readiness
- Increased emphasis on application-based learning
- Use of data analytics for decision making
- Development of personal skills
Daggett (2014) discuss that current educators are teaching digital natives. However as Prensky (2014) states “many teachers are unprepared or unwilling to teach 21st century skills”and "powering down devices". As a ex Pāngarau (mathematics) facilitator
I used blended learning as an avenue to increase engagement and achievement. At this time
I was told that I was really "pushing the boundaries" there was also some concern that
technology would take over the classroom programme. Despite this I received positive
respond from kaiako and they will able see the potential chrome-books and Ipads had in
their maths programme. Students that were below expected standard became
excited about learning again.
When I returned to the classroom last year, I gathered agency from
whānau regarding our homework programme. I received comments such as; "I want my child
to come home with a homework bag', recently I had a hui with whānau and I
gathered whānau voice and parents were concerned about their children being over exposed
to technology. Since I have had introduced seesaw to whānau engagement has increased. Also I have received comments such as: "keep posting pictures", as whānau are receiving "snapshots" of their child's day. Also child are proud to post and talk about their work on seesaw. It is also a good way to empower parents and keep them updated with apps
and websites their child is currently using.
So What? Even though some educators and whānau may be relcant to embrace digital
learning the reality is that students are still using digital technology outside the classroom.
According to Daggett (2014) statistics;
63% of middle school students are communicating via text
30% of middle school students are posting videos online
Daggett (2014) has seen a massive shift of primary to secondary students engaging with
multiplayer online games. The challenge for myself is keeping up with technology,
“As educators, we’re always behind the curve when it comes to technology,” said
Curtis Chandler a education consultant. To overcome this he suggest that we need to
involve students more (Magette, K. 2014. Pg 5 Embracing social media : a practical guide
to manage risk and leverage opportunity) Since integrating digital into my classroom
programme I have noticed the need to educate my students about how to be a digital
citizen. However teaching in a Māori medium setting a struggled with using approiate
language that my students understood. Therefore we just focused on how to care for
our classroom digital technology.
I believe that the impact of digital technology in the classroom's will enhance our practice
and digital technology will stretch our students intellectual and creatively.
Now What? Now that my mind lab journey is nearly over I still feel there still more for me
to learn about the impact of digital technology on student learning and my own practice.
My next steps are; Create a policy around digital technology and a programme around
digital citizenship. I need to investigate the school budget around technology and
external funding options, as I would like to see a 1:1 device policy introduced into my
syndicate.
APA referencing
Daggett, B. (2014). Addressing Current and Future Challenges in Education. Retrieved from http://www.leadered.com/pdf/2014 MSC_AddressingCurrentandFutureChallenges.pdf
Magette, K. (2014). Embracing social media : a practical guide to manage risk and
leverage opportunity. Retrieved from http://ebookcentral.proquest.com
Hi Tania, I totally agree with your reflection we are preparing these student to the digital world. I t is vital for us as Educators to be well versed in this technological world. I for one was not really into to this digital world. The journey to the unknown is very interesting and very challenging financially but it is necessary for the 21st century careers.
ReplyDeleteKia ora Tania
ReplyDeleteI too am challenged with "keeping up with technology" Prior to starting Mindlab I did not even own a cellphone! I like how you are focusing on building your students' awareness of themselves as digital citizens. Teaching this attitude/perspective is as important as teaching necessary digital skills