Maynoth Ed Tech Showcase 2011

Maynooth Ed Tech Showcase 2011 (METS11) A one-day educational technology professional development day for staff and student teachers in NUIM and partner colleges of the DRHEA - to be held Thursday 14 th April 2011 Background and rationale Technology lends itself to creative approaches in teaching and learning, but time is required for students and qualified teachers alike to develop their awareness of what is available; to see creative uses of it in practice, and above all, to overcome any fears they may have about it in order to develop confidence in their ability to use it. Student teachers in NUI Maynooth demonstrate a strong interest in the tools and techniques that they are shown in the weekly one-hour Ed Tech lecture in the first semester, but they feel they have too little time to explore it in depth, and at times, feel overwhelmed with the sheer volume of what is available to them. Though not difficult in itself, much of what is presented appears daunting at first. For many of them, coping with the constraints of teaching practice, limited access to resources in school and the requirements of an intensive Teacher Education programme, there is simply too little time to become comfortable with its use in a classroom environment. Consequently, many student teachers have difficulty grasping how it can be integrated, and may have too little confidence in their own nascent teaching skills to give it a try.

The Education Department NUIM proposes to organise a one day ‘Educational Technology Fair’ for student teachers to be held at the end of this academic year. The event would offer hands-on ‘taster’ workshops in the use of innovative and mobile technologies in a range of subjects and settings; it would be a timely opportunity for the students to draw on the year’s teaching practice and deepen their knowledge of the technology tools seen in the first semester; it would encourage them to progress to the teaching profession with an enthusiasm for technology and its potential at second level and would equip them for job interviews where their knowledge of innovative applications is likely to be tested. It could also provide a platform for some of them to demonstrate ways they have engaged with technology already, thereby providing valuable professional experience in working with their peers.

An event like this provides scope to focus on a wider range of technologies suitable for Special Educational Needs and cross-curricular approaches than it is possible to discuss in the lecture format. It would give the student teachers a chance to interact informally with software and hardware suppliers and enable them to make appropriate choices in selecting resources.

Part technology exhibition, part training event, this ‘Maynooth Ed Tech Show’ (METS) would include workshops delivered by practising teachers and other expert trainers. It would provide a vibrant, and creative environment for students to explore and discuss educational technology. The programme for the day would offer ‘smorgasbord’ of training sessions and information so students could opt for the level and the application most suited to their interests and needs and subject area.

A key message of the Educational Technology module on the PGDE is that teachers need to develop their own personal learning network and their capacity to find relevant, age and skills-appropriate resources for teaching. Aimed at both staff and students this event would be an ideal platform to endorse this message and would be a fine culmination to the year’s work.