Reflection

This blog has tracked the learning progress made on my PCET - ICT module. It has also been a place to note thoughts and observations on teaching and learning along the way.  ICT has a huge impact on teaching and learning, and is invaluable for both teachers and students.

Fish love technology (photo: my own)

Planning, Teaching and Assessment

Developing lesson plans and teaching materials using ICT not only makes the materials easy to transport, but easier to edit, update and share.  The internet is also a valuable resource for research - not only webpages, but also online journals, newspapers, academic papers, and E-books. ICT is integral for keeping records.  Many universities today operate with digital registers which can automatically flag up continuous absentees.  For my own role in student services, I provide different services to fit in with the students' needs.  These include one-to-one study skills support/tuition; support mentoring and guidance; note-taking, and practical support providing.  These roles are all paid slightly differently, so keeping a spreadsheet that automatically calculates how much I get paid based on a pre-embedded formula, helps me keep on track of my finances (see blog post 'Microsoft and Me').  I also keep the students' details on a Google Drive spreadsheet, so I can access it on any device, wherever I am.

I love record keeping

         

Teaching using technology adds some interactivity to the class, allows differentiation, and gets the students engaged. See blog post 'How Technology Has Changed the Way We Learn'.

Gone are the days of the red pen for assessment.  Today, turnitn; video recordings, questionnaires, quizzes and even video games can be used as tools for assessment.

Learning Experience

Evidence has shown that learners benefit from using multimedia tools to enhance their learning.  See blog post 'The Value of Mobile Technology in Teaching and Learning'. Using different technologies can aid differentiation and inclusion, as well being fun to use.  With the amount of potential technological learning tools available, there is room for variability and continued interest in lessons. Technology also provides more access to education, particularly for adults who may not be able to attend a traditional college or university.  With online courses, podcasts and various apps that focus on learning (see blog post 'Mobile Technology and Learning') adults have more options than ever to develop their skills and further their academic interests. 

Technology in the First Romanian School; Brasov, Romania - chalk and slate, abacus. (Photo: my own)

Reflective Bubbl.us

Should have gone to Specsavers? Click on picture to enlarge

Using technology in everyday life

I went to London this weekend.  It was a spontaneous decision made two days earlier. Once the idea was planted, I went straight online to book transport, accommodation and theatre tickets: A weekend sorted in minutes thanks to the Internet and a laptop.

Making such a spur of the moment decision meant that there was little time to pack.  As I was leaving the house on Saturday morning wondering if I had packed everything, I thought to myself: "As long as I have my phone (fully charged) and my credit card I'll be fine." 

Armed with a credit card I can buy anything I forgot to pack. But why did my phone matter above all else?  Travel documents, hotel and theatre reservations, map of the underground - all these things were on my phone.  If I got lost, the voice on my map app would tell me where to go.  If I needed to look for somewhere to eat or the nearest attraction, my trip advisor app could show me. When does this museum close? How much does that gallery charge? Where is the nearest tube station? How far is The Courtauld from The Tate? All these answers can be found within seconds thanks to 3G (still waiting on 4G but I'm coping).  My phone can tell me how much is on my Oyster card, and can even top it up.  If I want a Starbucks without paying cash - I have a Starbucks app.  If I found myself without reading material on the journey I could read the news, play a game or connect to my Kindle, all on my phone - and when my eyes are tired, I can just plug my headphones into my phone and listen to Planet Rock instead.

Of course, my phone is not just something I use for travelling. As a learning tool, I have access to books, journals, podcasts, language learning apps, university documents, as well as my uni email and Moodle.  It's also my watch, my camera, my calculator, my planner, my alarm clock, my pedometer, my MP3 player, my GPS... Oh yes, and I can make calls on it too.

Who needs a camera when you have a phone?
(photo: my own)