Reflect on what you already know...

[Fiona Banjer]

Take a moment to reflect on the following points:
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Why do you think our students are so keen to use computers and handheld devices like the Nintendo DS and the internet?
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Think of a member of your teaching staff who makes use of this type of innovative technology, what have you noticed (positives and negatives) about the way their classroom operates? (no names please)
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There are many reasons teachers do not use computers, think of a barrier to how you would like to use them and share a possible solution.
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Please share your responses to these points. By engaging in professional dialogue here you will be contributing to the collective knowledge bank of everyone involved. Together we have a massive pool of understanding, experience and ideas - tap into it!

[loonyhiker]

I think students are more open minded and willing to try new "games" which they consider computers to be. Many teachers are afraid of new things, failure, showing that they don't know something. They are also overwhelmed by all of the programs out there and don't know where to start.

I think if teachers find one new thing they see that they like and focus on learning it. When they become comfortable with it, they can show someone else and it can have a ripple effect.

[Brad Stewart]

I believe our students are so keen to use technology because it is a medium that they are comfortable with. Students engage greatly with technology, even if don't they use it at school. I guess because of this fact some teachers don't wish to use technology because they are afraid of NOT knowing as much as the students. I guess it is like the old story of the Maths teacher staying a few pages ahead in the textbook, now students are always a few pages ahead of us in the computer stakes.

But I guess we should embrace the knowledge that students have and get them to assist in class - peer tutoring and leadership. In terms of innovative technology, I use a lot of recording devices so that students can listen back to their performances and reflect. The positives here is that students can listen back over and over again. It is however quite costly to set this system up, but is very much worth it.

Anyway, hope some of these thoughts help othersn

[Talia Carbis]

I agree that teachers need to find things they're comfortable with. A lot of teachers don't have the time to learn new things, and often don't have another knowledge in the area to trouble shoot, or work out how to use it. This leads to... discomfort!

By making teachers more comfortable with the technology we want them to use, then it's exactly like @loonyhiker says, it will have a ripple effect!

loonyhiker said:

I think students are more open minded and willing to try new "games" which they consider computers to be. Many teachers are afraid of new things, failure, showing that they don't know something. They are also overwhelmed by all of the programs out there and don't know where to start.

I think if teachers find one new thing they see that they like and focus on learning it. When they become comfortable with it, they can show someone else and it can have a ripple effect.

[Julia Kossowska]

Ahh, but a lot of teachers who aren't making a lot of use of ICT in the classroom are using Facebook, booking holidays and weekend breaks online, sharing holiday photos, using compare sites for insurance etc etc

[Brad Stewart]

Does anyone use the students knowledge that they have in regards to ICT's??? I know that many people I talk to don't like showing that they don't as much as the students. However I have some students that have done some work in professional recording studios and know much more than I do about recording software. In this case I get them to engage with other students and use it like peer tutoring. Has anyone else had success with this. I know it works well in the secondary school.

[Simon Pankhurst]

Julia Kossowska said:

Ahh, but a lot of teachers who aren't making a lot of use of ICT in the classroom are using Facebook, booking holidays and weekend breaks online, sharing holiday photos, using compare sites for insurance etc etc

This is a very good point and one that I have mentioned to teachers before. The difficulty now is to view these as social learning tools rather than just social. A teacher the other day found out that I'm on Twitter, so she asked what it was like to find out what people are having for breakfast every day. I mentioned that I use Twitter mainly professionally and even after explaining and showing what I meant it was difficult for the teacher to see Twitter as anything but a social network. It is only through investigating and experimenting with the learning possibilities of these social networking tools that we can then incorporate them into teacher's work and then the classroom.

[Fiona Banjer]

Simon Pankhurst said:

Julia Kossowska said:

Ahh, but a lot of teachers who aren't making a lot of use of ICT in the classroom are using Facebook, booking holidays and weekend breaks online, sharing holiday photos, using compare sites for insurance etc etc

This is a very good point and one that I have mentioned to teachers before. The difficulty now is to view these as social learning tools rather than just social. A teacher the other day found out that I'm on Twitter, so she asked what it was like to find out what people are having for breakfast every day. I mentioned that I use Twitter mainly professionally and even after explaining and showing what I meant it was difficult for the teacher to see Twitter as anything but a social network. It is only through investigating and experimenting with the learning possibilities of these social networking tools that we can then incorporate them into teacher's work and then the classroom.

All good points, but how do we move everyone on? If our online 'discourse' is becoming the norm for how we interact globally, how can we demonstrate the oppotunities this presents? Even though we have created massive networks through Twitter, Facebook and other tools how is it that those using them are still in the minority?

A French philosopher/ social scientist, Foulcault, shared his research on how knowledge and power were connected. Exposure to the new literacies and multi modal texts listed in the previous paragraph will provide communication strategies for students to engage either as individuals or as groups to communicate with whoever they want using the digital tools that are available.

Bringing these tools into the classroom and sharing in development of a shared discourse would work towards bridging the divide between the institution of education and home and could provide opportunities to share in the experience for those who do not have ready access.

[Melanie Hughes]

Why do you think our students are so keen to use computers and handheld devices like the Nintendo DS and the internet?I think instant gratification is a big reason why students like handheld devices. Simply press a few buttons and then get an instant result, make contact with a friend or find something out. Students want immediate feedback and instant knowledge. The social aspect to using something like a mobile phone is important too. being in touch with your peer group is essential to young people.