ITC Learning in Primary School Education

I had to make a comment on this video.

This is what i imagine the future of learning to be – and i’m excited………But please consider……..

Problems: As Kathryn has stated, she is concerned about this kind of education dividing students further into two groups – the haves and have nots. I agree. It’s worrying (especially in the USA where class differences are polar.)

Do you really want your child educated by a multination business group like Microsoft. Will my child have to wear Microsoft endorsed clothing to school? 

What if my child is a Mac user! EXPULSION!

This has been an interesting subject to study at University this semester. As you would see from my mid-semester report, I was extremely apprehensive about undertaking the challenges of the course. I have found that there was a lot to learn in a fairly short period of time. For those who were not fully competent with computers (and especially macs) like me, this was a daunting challenge. It has been a steep learning curve but I have gained knowledge on how to use certain programs and more importantly why we use these programs and how they can be advantageous in furthering our students’ learning in and out of the classroom.

I think that within the society that we live in and the learning environment that we will be teaching in, ITC education is becoming more important and necessary as technologies emerge and become more concurrent with primary school education. It is no longer really acceptable to have a classroom with no computers or internet access in Australia and also no longer acceptable to have teachers who can’t or don’t want to educate using ITC.

Government.

It is essential that the NSW and Federal governments are aware of the importance of this area of learning within primary schools, now and in the future. They have an obligation and duty to make sure that every student in Australia has the opportunity to access ITC learning inside the classroom – through adequate funding of equipment, resources, training and maintenance, and outside the classroom – by providing better computer/internet access through public libraries and community centres.

The government also has a responsibility that teachers in primary schools are embracing new technology and being trained to use it effectively. I would suggest that the government offer and encourage free ITC training courses for all primary school educators. Attitudes and knowledge are of vast importance if teachers are to take full advantage of this area of learning.

Although I believe that general access to the world wide web should not be restricted, I think the government has a responsibility to educate schools on restricting primary school student access to appropriate e-materials only.

Yet another responsibility I feel the government has is to not only maintain the current e-learning infrastructure but also look to the future and be aware of emerging technologies before they become the norm and set up new and continuing accessibility, training programs and even community e-education.  

Schools.

Although schools are almost always limited in what they can achieve in ITC because of budgetary issues, they are obviously the place where (for most) a majority of students’   e-learning education comes from.

As stated above – schools require funding, access, training and maintenance to provide an effective learning environment but more importantly need great teachers to deliver this knowledge

Teachers.

Teachers need to be thoroughly educated in this area. Not only educated in how to use the technology but also to be able to teach it to students in primary schools. Teachers need to have the right attitudes towards embracing these (not that) new technologies. I cannot express how important I feel this is. If I, as a teacher have a bad, unenthusiastic approach towards teaching mathematics (I’m trying to change), this attitude will easily, though possibly subconsciously, affect my students attitudes towards learning about maths too. The same goes for any learning area including ITC education.

Positive attitudes towards teaching this subject need to be nurtured and grown throughout teachers’ university training and even furthered through post-uni education in this area. I think continuing education for teachers is appropriate because technology is constantly evolving and teachers should be abreast of new developments and be excited about learning about and teaching them.

Community.

Although I believe this area of ITC education is not as important as what I have stated above, there needs to be a shift in community attitudes and awareness of e-learning not only in our schools but in society in general.

It is a fact that computers and the internet are now more embedded within the conscience and practice of our society than ever before. It is the way the world is going. We need to accept and embrace this idea as a whole society so that in the future it is accepted as the norm.

I understand that some attitudes within the community focus on the idea of children sitting in front of a computer monitor 24hours a day, getting no exercise, become fat and eroding away their own social skills but this is not always the case. Parents obviously have a responsibility to not let this happen.

Parents.

Parents need to be aware of the importance of ITC learning. They need to have an open mind to the fact that it is here to stay and will help their children further their education.

I understand that financial issues can hinder a child’s e-access out of school and this can be a difficult situation for both the parent and the student. This is why I stated above that I think there should be better and more computer/internet access for students outside the classroom.

I believe parents should do their best to educate themselves within this area of learning. The more they know, the better they can understand and assist their child’s e-education and feel less isolated from their child’s “digital world”.

“Their Digital World”

Sometimes I feel I am “out of the loop” with “kids these days”!

I have always maintained that I am a “big kid at heart”. I still play video games, listen to “cool” music, have a massive toy collection and still watch cartoons! I have a Myspace page and a Facebook profile. I do this, not only because I enjoy it myself, but also to keep “in touch” with a younger generation. I feel this is important so that children do not see the teacher as an overseer, but a companion and contributor to their digital world.

Obviously, it is important for teachers to understand some of the potential beifits and harm that can arise from this digital social environment. Cyber–bullying and on-line predators exist and we need to protect our e-students from this. On the other hand, these networks are a wonderful place for students to share, contribute and feel part of a wider community of e-learners. It’s a difficult balance to maintain for anyone supervising this behaviour.

I hope this report has given insight to how I feel and what I have learned about e-learning in the primary school environment.

I feel this learning area is important now and essential in the future and that Governments should take this on board and consider making this are of learning a CORE SUBJECT like Maths or English, in the classroom of the future. It’s that important to the future of our society. We must not fall behind the rest of the world.

I also read this article and agree that financial assistance towards information technology in schools is of less use if teachers/educators do not have the appropriate level of skill.

I chuckled at Trisso’s quote : “What good is having a million dollar computer but only a monkey to use it?”.

So true, and i comment further here.

But………

We also have to realise that any students in this world who have computers in their classrooms are already more fortunate than most.

Emily has commented on this transcript from Seymor Pappert giving a speech in Japan in the mid 80′s.

I think it is interesting that more that 20 years ago, the idea of technology and how it can influence learning in a positive way, is amazing to think about.

He talks about using mathematics in a program called LOGO. It is not so much a  traditional mathematical program than it is a tool in which a student can program a computer to make pictures.

He states that we should “find ways in which the technology enables children to use knowledge, mathematical knowledge and other knowledge, not just store it in their heads so that twelve years later it’s going to be good for them.”

I agree.

As Claire stated, I too am almost Mac illiterate! I had to produce my digital story on Microsoft’s Photostory. This program was challenging at first but i got the idea fairly quickly.

I’m sure there are more functions and features i am yet to discover but i think i had a decent go of it for my first attempt.

My digital story can be found here.

I listened to Freya’s podcast and i could have spoken the same words with true conviction.

Technology is also daunting for me as im not well educated in this area of learning (yet!). And i also agree with her in that there is a big difference between knowing about technology and being able to use (and teach about) technology.

Freya also states that It is essential for Governments to continually invest in new technology and make sure teachers receive the proper training on how to actually use it!

Way to go.

This Video is one of the most interesting and informative clips i have ever seen on Youtube.

I am amazed at how the author/creator has constructed the clip but more importantly the ideas and thinking it provokes.

I beleive It’s making a social statement about how our lives are becoming more and more intertwined with the web and how digital text could make written text obsolete! I’m sure this will never be the case but it’s an interesting view of the future.

In the video the author provokes the viewer to think about privacy, connectivity, copyright, ethics, commerce and more in the future of our digital world.

It is us who are feeding “the machine” with posts, links, videos, blogs, etc and the more we feed it the more it learns and the more it knows.

Creepy?

NO WAY! Extremely interesting and forsightful.

I think it’s great that Emma has viewed this article in a favourable light.

I agree that parts were quite technical and specific but i beleive the overall thinking of the author is that ITC learning and innovation is becoming more and more significant in the primary school learning environment and should be recognised for it’s importance and incorporated into all learning areas by all people within the primary school community.

I also appreciate her mentioning that sometimes the level of technological practice in the classroom can greatly depend on the teachers own understandings, attitudes and views of ITC learning. (Another matter within itself).

Excellent Thinking!

Reaction to Robyns blog.

I wholeheartedly agree with Robyn on this issue.

I beleive technology is something that can be used for continual training and education of teachers. 

She states that one of the main reasons for teacher turnover is poor teacher preparation due to lack of support. Technological training should be ongoing in it’s development of teacher skills.

Robin also mentions the Empowering Teachers: A Professional and Collaborative Approach report that  ’focuses on technology used to facilitate professional development and spotlights innovative approaches to ongoing teacher and administrator development in K-12 schools’.

Good Idea!

Here is my podcast about why i want to be a teacher. Enjoy.

 (for some reason i cannot link the podcast to this page. It can be found in my media files.)

I have included a transcript below:

Good education in any society is something I feel is the most important step in the footpath of life. It prepares us for the future and endows us with the skills we need to be a contributing member of society. Being a qualified primary school teacher would allow me a feeling of great social responsibility, to be a contributing and recognisable member of the community and feed a deep desire within me to educate, care and encourage. These desires combined with my energy, enthusiasm and personality have led many of my friends, family and colleagues to respond enthusiastically when informed of my decision to pursue primary school teaching. Every single person (including, quite recently, my dentist) remarks “You would make an outstanding teacher!” It makes me feel confidant that they see this in me as I do. The desire has always been there and they are as excited as I am to see the dream fulfilled. The continuing professional practical element of this course invigorates my motivation. My maturity and life experience give me the capability to look at problems or issues from varied angles and deal with them appropriately. I am confident and have the mental strength to question, learn and challenge myself. I have the desire to succeed not only at university but for years after as I near my goal of Primary School Principal. I truly believe I can be an absolutely fantastic primary school teacher. All my life I have been involved with children of varying ages and abilities through family, friends, work and community. I have diverse and healthy life interests that I know are beneficial to my mind and body and feel that it is important to lead by example – especially in the company of admiring children who, I believe, see and hear more than most people would tend to believe.