Back Into the Game ... of Teaching

Back Into the Game ‌ of Teaching

Wow!!

Wow!!

Technology

Me

Me

Technology Situation in 2008

Situation in 2011

It all started one early afternoon in September 2008. I was sitting at my desk gazing out of the window when a most surprising email landed in my inbox. This email, as it turned out, would change my teaching career and my life as well.

How did it all start?

Prepared by: Jean-Claude Aura

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Back Into the Game ‌ of Teaching

Interesting.

And what did it say?

Well, it carried information about the MAET program. I was reading things for the first time, like Web 2.0 technologies, and I had no clue what to make do with it. I mulled over it for some time, and the next thing I know is that I enrolled for the Certificate program.

But why did it interest you that much? I mean you had a job back then, and I guess you were happy, weren’t you?

Prepared by: Jean-Claude Aura

Not quite. I had always wanted to learn to implement the computer in my teaching, and I thought a computer course would do. This email made me realize that there was more to integrating technology into teaching than using a computer.

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Back Into the Game … of Teaching I see. So, what was your aim when you enrolled for the MAET program?

I can’t remember where I wrote my goal statement back then, but it was something in the lines of learning to use the computer to improve the quality of my teaching. I had no idea there were so many technologies out there, and I certainly made no mention of them in my initial goal statement.

Looks like I’m going to need to jot things down. Hang on.

Alright! Now tell me, how are things different after doing the MAET course?

Everything is different! The most important thing I realized is that learning doesn’t take place in isolation. That’s why teachers create online communities where students are more engaged in the learning process and learn from one another. I created my own online community by using social networks and blogging platforms. Check out the class blog that I created for my students this semester. Instead of students relying on me for feedback and correction, they can now get feedback from their peers, their parents, and practically anyone with an Internet connection. I’m more like a guide on the side. Besides, in a digital age like the one we’re living in, it’s impossible to teach everything. Students have to start learning by themselves, and school is the best place to begin this process.

Prepared by: Jean-Claude Aura

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Back Into the Game … of Teaching Here’s more paper. Right. And then I use wikis and online documents such as Google Docs, where students can share ideas and work collaboratively without having to be physically in one place. This new trend in teaching is crucial as people’s needs have changed in recent years and this method keeps everyone in touch while allowing for personal space and individual pacing.

Take a look at this wiki that I created for my CEP 807 classmates. Just imagine the scope of this document’s wealth when everyone has filled in their part. You see, this has never been the case before. Teaching took place only in class and was seldom taken outside the school walls. And then there’s the Internet where students can access all sorts of information. Prior to this course, I only used the Internet for information retrieval, but there’s so much more that students can do. Have you heard of WebQuests? That’s where students embark on a meaningful online journey to gather all the information they need to complete an authentic task. Check out the WebQuest that I created for my 11tth graders. You’ve also got online simulations, an excellent way for students to experiment in a safe environment. Check out the TechQuest about online simulations that I prepared for CEP 810. As you must have noticed, I don’t just use the Internet to access information; I engage my students in authentic tasks that engender lifelong and independent learning skills.

Go on. Don’t stop.

I’m just going to get some more paper.

Prepared by: Jean-Claude Aura

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Back Into the Game … of Teaching You’ve come a long way since you started the MAET program. One thing’s bugging me, though. What about privacy, protection, and reliability issues?

I’m getting there. We all know that with power comes responsibility. What I mean is that students nowadays are empowered with worldwide knowledge, and it’s essential that they know how to handle such powerful resources. I warn them against plagiarism and explain the concept of copyrights to them. Check out this little presentation about copyrights.

Along with copyrights comes netiquette, where students learn how to behave in a virtual environment where things are quite different from the real world.

My notebook is full!

Got anything else you want to add?

Yeah. A major shift that has occurred in my teaching is the implementation of creativity. Teachers have developed the knack for stifling students’ creativity, so much so that they’ve smothered the whole learning process. Students learn by experimenting, just like all the world’s geniuses did, and where else would they do it if not at school? To get an idea of what I mean by creativity, check out how creativity can be used to teach essay writing.

Prepared by: Jean-Claude Aura

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Back Into the Game … of Teaching To put it in a nutshell, my teaching approach and my attitude towards learning have undergone dramatic changes since my enrollment in the MAET program. My classes have become more student centered, learning has become more interesting and engaging, and my perception of students’ input into the entire learning process has also been altered. I give students ample opportunities to comment on each other’s work and evaluate it against a given set of criteria. This instills in them a sense of responsibility and gives them an idea of what factors come into play when it comes to assessment and evaluation. And then, there’s …

Oops. Gotta go. My friends are waiting for me online. Maybe we’ll catch you online too, and you can teach us how to chat. How about that?

Hey, wait! Where are you going? I haven’t finished yet.

I’ve only told you about the shifts that have occurred in my teaching, but I want to tell you about my future plans. Don’t forget to read the document on the right titled ‘Looking Ahead’ when you’re done chatting. Bye for now.

Prepared by: Jean-Claude Aura

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