I am no prude but I am always wary of technology, it seems to me that it has become too pervasive and in too short a space of time. It has captured the imagination of the innovative, grabbed the attention of the distracted and provided a platform for the expressive. Just a minute, books have been doing that for centuries and quite frankly history have shown that when books were becoming as ubiquitous as computers in Europe in the late 17th century, its detractors were calling it the devil’s tool. On the other hand computers and their applications can lead to crippling addictions, psychological complexities and the systematic “mushing” of brain cells. But wait alcohol has also been doing that for centuries and fact is both books and alcohol are here to stay. Another fact is both books and alcohol have been used and manipulated in good and not so good applications. The reality is the computer is powerful and in the hands of an innovative, imaginative and expressive teacher, it becomes the greatest thing that has happened to education. Thank You Aisha for making this clear to me during this semester and helping me to appreciate the “good” that computers can be used for. “Wikis’, “blogs”, “podcasts”, “e-books”, “digital stories” are now tools I intend to use on a daily basis.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Thank you Aisha Wood-Jackson
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I am more receptive to all that the computer can offer in terms of educating kids. Many of the children at my school struggles with reading and therefore the use of computers in the teaching of reading can help the students get better at reading. Fluency is a serious problem at school and the use of podcasting can help them develop fluency which will help them do better at vocabulary and Comprehension. We are seeing that technology are improving learning so all it is left for us to embrace it and utilize it in our teaching.
ReplyDeleteI did however like the way the blog was written.
I am also grateful for being brought into the Digital Age, no longer am I going to hear that B word(Boring)in my Literature classes, it will now be replaced by another B work - Brilliant. You can't help but reflect on what our students really have to endure in stagnated classes with teachers with the 'same old, same old'. As educators we need to promote continuous professional development, so we do not become antiques. But refresh ourselves regularly, in order to meet the changing demands of our clients.
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ReplyDeleteThe novelty of the computer and its far reaching implications are endless. As educators we should embrace this technological age or else we would become extinct like the dinosaurs. We need to use a medium that can reach this new generation of children. Our students are accustom with animation that books lack. Unlike the computer which will grab their attention so we need to capitalize on integrating the technology in our classroom.
ReplyDeleteWow....impressive writing. I share the same sentiment and would like to also thank Aisha Wood Jackson and the other tutors for the great job they have done. Especially for their patience. Technology is now seen in a different light. When we hear using technology to teach most of us get scared and some of us limit it to using overhead projectors and power point. The question is always asked, what if the technology fails? This is a deterent to most teachers. I am so greatful for learning about ebooks, power point can be taken to the next level. Webspiration is going to be the most useful tool that can be used in classrooms. Wait till the teachers on staff find out about these cool tools.
ReplyDeleteRoland
ReplyDeleteAfter your fantastic presentation to Aisha Wood-Jackson I was left speechless. Through your words, so eloquently spoken,(surprise, surprise lol)our lecturer, I hope, understood that all her hard-work was not in vain. You left no stone unturned as you delineated each aspect of our journey. Thank you, Roland, for your part in sharing our appreciation for the ONE who brought us out of technological darkness and into the new Web 2.0 light.