Future orientated learning and Teaching
Everything moves so fast in this profession. I am only 3
years removed from my studies and my own knowledge and skills have grown
exponentially with in this time. Unfortunately everything else seems to be
going even quicker than I am learning. There are times when I still feel like I
am in the dark ages, I sometimes feel like I am falling into a bottomless pit.
As for the university, do not get me started on that, I do not feel like I
brought anything from my studies into my teaching, the whole education system
(especially when you are older and moving into the real world) does not cater
to the 21st century learning skills that are needed in the present and future.
But I digress. Back to the point at hand, this whole future orientated learning
and teaching seems a little daunting at first but with closer look into what I
have trialled and currently doing, it just needs a can do attitude, a bit of
luck, some common sense, good guidance and a lot of perseverance.
Theme: Personalised learning and subtheme: The role of
current and future technologies
Why did I make this change? As with all classrooms, I have a
range of learning abilities and skills and there is no on one size fits all for
them. We have spent the whole year trying to find out what is best fit for
them. The introduction of a more thought out digital plan was 1 plan that has
helped many children. When I started my teaching, digital tools were used in a
way to keep a student’s busy so I could work with my groups. There was no real
learning happening,
no learner engagement and no growth. Even now this is sometimes the case. Since
I have started Mindlab I have tried to incorporate using digital tools to
enhance their learning and knowledge. It is a work in progress, just like life.
My class is learning together, we are beginning to understand the why and how,
when it comes to using digital technology in our room, children are becoming
more confident in explaining their reasons for using/needing certain apps/sites
and the overall use of technology has become more efficient and meaningful. This
doesn’t mean we have gone away from the pen, or drawing etc. It gives them
another choice, and a choice that reflects greatly on future learning. Are we
perfect? That is a big NO, but we are trying hard. Technology on a whole makes
learning more enjoyable because this is what the world is about today. Everywhere
you look technology is abundant, most children themselves are able to use an
Ipad before being able to write. It is the way the world works now. Beeland
(2002) agrees that technology helps “makes lessons
more enjoyable and interesting, resulting in improved attention, engagement and
student behaviour essential to learning process”
I am still falling in that bottomless pit but there is
light, whether I reach it is neither here nor there. The light will guide me
and my learners to continue to raise the expectations, skills, knowledge and
understanding of what it is to be a future orientated learner and teacher, and
to know that the world is ever changing, education is ever changing and we are
either on the bus or getting left behind.
References
Beeland Jr, W. D. (2002) Student engagement, visual learning and technology:
can interactive whiteboards help? Retrieved from https://s3.amazonaws.com/academia.edu.documents/38455890/COOOOL.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAIWOWYYGZ2Y53UL3A&Expires=1511846908&Signature=AoLweufmiCp%2BU5AuAMKUzggoRb4%3D&response-content-disposition=inline%3B%20filename%3DStudent_Engagement_Visual_Learning_and_T.pdf
Ministry of Education.(2012). Supporting
future-oriented learning and teaching: A New Zealand perspective. Retrieved from https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/publications/schooling/109306
