What do we mean by collaboration? “When students interact for the purpose of achieving better understanding about a concept, a problem or a phenomenon, or to create a novel piece of knowledge or solution that they do not previously know, they are engaged in collaborative learning. Collaborative learning can be simply defined as social interactions […]
Read more "10. Classroom technology and collaboration"The TPACK model “Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK)” is a model that identifies the expertise required for teachers to integrate technology into teaching practice (Koehler, 2012). Effective teaching with technology requires a combination of knowledge: content (or subject), pedagogy, and technology (Koehler & Mishra, 2009, p. 60). TPACK suggests that quality teaching with technology requires […]
Read more "9. Planning lessons with technology"Classroom technologies have the potential to engage students and enrich learning however there are significant ethical issues to consider. In previous posts matters regarding cyberbulling and access to inappropriate content were discussed. The focus will now shift to the ethics of equity and fair access to technology. To begin, an overview of technology concerns in […]
Read more "8. Classroom technologies and ethical issues"Today’s study builds upon understandings made in the previous post, “The Internet and the classroom”. It aims to investigate online resources that can be of practical use to the classroom. These resources may be of worth to multiple disciplines (such as organisational or productivity tools), or specific to secondary English. Web-based resources (content and tools) […]
Read more "7. Web-based learning"This week’s study focuses on the challenges, benefits and opportunities of integrating Web 2.0 technology in the classroom. This includes safe and proper use of Internet resources, its potential use for subject English teaching, as well as thoughts on digital citizenship and cyberbullying. The term Web 2.0 (also known as “read-write web”) relates to the […]
Read more "6. The Internet and the classroom"Literacy teaching in the 21st century has fundamentally changed; globalisation and technology advancement has given rise to “new literacies” (Cope & Kalantzis, 2009). Secondary English teachers are no longer expected to simply focus on traditional reading and writing practices. The syllabus now requires English classrooms to incorporate speaking, listening, reading, writing, viewing and representing (BOSTES, […]
Read more "5. Technology in the secondary English classroom"As author George Siemens identifies; the dominant learning theories (behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism) were established prior to technology making a seismic impact on education (2005, p. 3). There is a present need to bridge the gap between traditional learning theories and the contemporary context. This fact highlights how important technology has become to the classroom. […]
Read more "4. Teaching and learning with digital technologies"Hardware in classrooms: the benefits and challenges of tablet technology Today’s ubiquitous tablet computers can be thought of as part miniature laptop, part oversized smartphone (Walling, 2014, p. 2-3). Table technology became prolific with the introduction of Apple’s first-generation iPad in 2010. Since this time tablets have transformed the classroom by facilitating online learning, by […]
Read more "3. Hardware: what are classroom technologies?"Issues concerning technology in the classroom Chris Bigum’s Schools and computers: Tales of a digital romance (2012) is a largely disparaging appraisal of how technology has been poorly integrated into the school system. Bigum argues that educators are trapped in a cycle of adopting new technology and applying it in “old and familiar ways” (2012, […]
Read more "2. Why do we include technology in the classroom?"I type this while juggling my 18-month-old daughter Astrid (as pictured above). Now in my second year of part-time distance study (Bachelor of Teaching Secondary), I hope to one day teach Astrid’s generation. I expect that she (and my future students) will be more technologically dexterous than I am. Therefore I welcome this session’s focus […]
Read more "1. Introduction; Technology and Teaching Standards"