Hi
Well it has been quite a while since my last post. It has been a very busy past few weeks trying to catch up on all the uni work i missed being away in the UK for three weeks. I believe i am now up to date and finally in control (well a certain level of control). Our trip to the UK was fantastic and my mother, siblings and friends thoroughly enjoyed meeting my daughter Grace. We managed to take a trip to Edinburgh. This is where my wife and i had the pleasure of living for three and half years (2003 -2006). I would highly recommend a visit or stay there as it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world (see pictures).
In previous posts i mentioned that i would give my thoughts and reflections on how it has been so far studying for the EDU5471 - Computer based resources in education unit. As previously commented the amount of work involved and higher level thinking for this course is much greater than any other course i have done. Admittedly, I expected it to be tougher, being a masters course, but i was not expecting the level of research or writing that i would have to do. I haven't even finished an assignment yet!!
The main focus and work has been put into an online debate that has been set up for the participants of the course. The debate was set up to discuss the statement "technophobic teachers are wasting millions of dollars". Participants were allocated one side of the argument that they need to argue in favour of. Either the pro side or the con side. I was allocated the pro side of the debate and needed to argue in favour of the statement.
There were many positives and negatives with engaging with an online debate forum and thats even before i talk about whether or not i agree with the statement. Firstly, it is very difficult to express yourself clearly and with emotion. Sometimes i found myself wondering if my messages would become misinterpreted due to the way i had written them (as is also the case in this forum). Occasionally i would edit my posts nearly five times to make sure it was expressive and clear in what i was trying to say. Also i found it difficult to deal with not having an immediate response to what i had posted or commented on. I would have to wait either a few hours or maybe a day before a response was posted. This is not because the group wasn't interactive, it is just the nature of an online forum.
With regard to the actual content of the statement "technophobic teachers are wasting millions of dollars" i was really divided about the way i felt all the way through the debate. I found myself agreeing with a great deal of the research and readings that our team found, but also disagreeing with some. It was hard to take a stand and argue a point that you were divided on. I didn't agree with the statement in some parts due to the fact that it is a multitude of different reasons why many educators are technophobic and are portrayed this way. Although, as i have found out through the online debate they are not without blame. Educators need to embrace new technologies, not fight them. Accept that they are here to stay and that we need to use them to our advantage and not distance ourselves from the possibilities that they offer. Governments, communities and businesses need to understand that educators need the time, money and effort to be educated themselves in how to integrate technologies into their daily pedagogical strategies.
If anyone would like to continue this debate, reference free (ideas flow better when there are no refs to worry about) and not judged then please do so.
Cheers
Al
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Aha. But someone is reading your comments and loving the fact that we both felt the same way about the actual debate topic. When I first saw that I was a Pro, I was disappointed because my heart lay with the poor teachers who have so much to contend with in their classrooms, keeping up with administration etc that trying to include keeping pace with technology sometimes can only be done in the 23rd hour of 24. However, I forced myself to be a hard, one-sided, blinkered critic of these terrible technophobic teachers. and patted myself on the back for at least (feebly) trying not to be one of them.
ReplyDeleteI thought that you managed to express yourself incredibly well in writing Al - despite the lack of use of your waving hands. I have a greater problem than yourself in that I only think in logical mathematical type steps and so find difficulty in writing academic English. The ideas are there but not the correct expression. That is perhaps why I so liked the online debate system - I could throw the ideas out and someone else would tidy it up for me. As I pointed out on out forum though, a couple of folk got sidelined by not being assertive in stating where they felt their contribution could fit in the "Big" post. Maybe that would still happen in a real-time debate though.
Cheers
Joan
Hi Alun
ReplyDeleteI had a great time on the debate, even though I felt that I didn't contribute much at times. I am really pleased it is over - I don't like pressure that much, and I am enjoying reviewing the process as part of the assignment.
What sort of position are you looking for next year? Private/State/Year Level?
I remember when I was in my fourth year - nervous as heck wondering if and where I would teach. It certainly is good to have your own class!
Anita
Hi Anita
ReplyDeleteYou contributed a great deal so do not worry. I agree that the pressure and time constraints do get to you at times. I also have reflected on this for the assignement.
Next year i was hoping for any year level from Grade 4-7. My degree is a bachelor of primary and middle school. I have no preference towards private or state. I will apply through Education Queensland and agree to go anywhere in the state. I have also worked in a couple of private schools and throughly enjoyed the experience (they are very different). Both have advantages and disadvantages.
I am desperate to get my own class. As mentioned on your blog, i am on prac next week and looking forward to it. There is always the issue that when you work so hard to build trust and relationships with the students for three weeks, you then leave. It is good to stay in contact, but also so difficult with the busy lives we lead. With my own class i would keep these relationships going and build on them even more.
Cheers
Al
p.s yes i am also nervous as heck thanks!!! (lol)