Can you avoid knowledge? You cannot! Can you avoid technology? You
cannot! Things are going to go ahead in spite of ethics, in spite of your
personal beliefs, in spite of everything.
JOSE M.R. DELGADO
Scientific American, October 2005
Knowledge and
technology are two inseparable things that have always gone together since the
invention of the light bulb. In spite of the fact that the ongoing
collaboration between these two whales has been successful so far, the article CALL and the Future of Language Teacher Education isn’t
as optimistic as I thought it will be, as “According to existing research,
technology integration is unsatisfactory in teacher education.” It depends on
us, teachers, whether we shall be the steering wheel in the present and future
system of education or the brakes (J.A.Gardner). The course “Building Teaching
Skills Through the Interactive Web” is aimed at fighting with inertia,
ignorance, insufficient standards, lack of practice. It was one of the brightest
learning experiences since I was a student.
In my final
reflections I wanted to sum up the things I have never done before, but I
decided that this course is a new beginning and I should be more positive and
write about the technologies I have learned and I am going to use in my
classes. To start with PowerPoint, I have opened new perspectives of it and I
have learned about a great alternative to PowerPoint - Prezi. I can’t imagine
my lessons without rubrics, a type of alternative assessment. The Wallwisher is
another technology tool that has a huge potential if being used in the class or
as independent work. I fell in love with Delicious, I can’t imagine myself one
day without it, this is my personal library, where I stock some favorite and
new links. I have never thought that I will love to have a Blog, that I will
wake up at 2-3 a.m. to post on my blog, read my colleagues’ blogs and comment
on Nicenet. I enjoyed reading the recommended article, as they were very
informative. It is complicated to get across such valuable sources without
someone’s help.
The final LoTi
survey was a brilliant denouement of the entire course. To find out about LoTi
I highly recommend the articles LoTi Framework and IMPLEMENTING THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES: Technology as Lever. My
survey results are the following:
1. Digital-Age
Work and Learning - 68%
2. Digital-Age
Learning and Experiences and Assessment - 75%
3. Students
Learning and Creativity - 82%
4. Professional
Growth and Leadership - 42%
5. Digital
Citizenship and Responsibility - 40%
After
fulfilling the whole amount of work during the course we have a solid
background. I understand that this course is just a beginning and our purpose
is implementation of web skills in the classroom.
I would like to
express my deep respect and gratitude to my instructor Courtney and to my dear
colleagues, whom I appreciate very much! We shall keep in touch!
As for my blog
E-learner2012 I don’t say good bye, I shall go on exploring!
Ina
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Ina
DeleteHope after this day, as per PST, you will not work for some days at night to finish up your job and tasks, will you?
But I am sure you will have daydreams of the Worldware and World Wide Web. Keep yourself awake, arise and dream and aware of your consciousness, do let us informed and awakened whenever you are doing work in this streamline.
With best of the wishes
Jayshree Singh
Hi Jayshree Singh,
ReplyDeleteI haven't worked at night for many years, I wake up only when my daughter is awaken.
I will definitely have daydreams of the World Wide Web and of our project in general. I am happy I was the part of it. I found so many important thing!
Best wishes,
Ina
Hi Ina
ReplyDeleteYour views are scholarly and thought provoking.All of us are fortunate to be a part of this technological revolution.Knowledge is always dynamic.Technology can only be used to impart that knowledge.
Now the question is "who does not want to use latest technology?" The answer is obvious. Everyone wants to use technology but TECHNOLOGY comes at a price.
This technological gap is a result of economic divide.Our job is to bridge up this gap to the best of our capacity.
I am thankful to American embassy for providing us this scholarship.This is one way with which the whole world can come together and join hands for a good cause.
Regards
Raj
Hi Raj,
ReplyDeleteThe surveys mentioned in the article "CALL and the Future of Language Teacher Education" show that the graduates of MA studies in the US and Canada, don't use CALL at the full potential. It is needless to say that their economic capacity are much higher. The main issue is that the provided courses didn't have "relevant pedagogical elements".
Ina
It sounds like you have learned a lot and I have to say congratulations on that. I do hope that you continue to post as you move forward.
ReplyDeleteconjugaison
Hi Kurt,
DeleteYou are right, our online course Building Teaching Skills Through The Interactive Web was great. I have used many interesting activities with my students. I should continue my writing.